Abby and Me

Apps (or applications) are programs that can be added to your smartphone or tablet. Some are free and some are not. You’ll shop for apps using the “store” provided by the manufacturer of your device which can be found on your the screen of your smartphone or tablet. There are hundreds of thousands of apps available - so shop around!

Here are my top ten favorite (FREE) apps:

Imagine, if you will, opening e-mail attachments, visiting the Internet, shopping online, digital photos, video calling, social networking, watching a movie or TV, playing games, listening to music, reading a book, and more…all rolled up in one appealing and extremely portable device that measures 9.5” by just under 7.5” and weighs less than a pound a half. It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Apple’s iPad!

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An immense digital divide exists between those born into today’s technology generation and those who did not grow up using a computer, but Abby Stokes believes that anyone can learn to use a computer, no matter what age. “I refer to anyone over the age of 40 as a digital immigrant and anyone under 40 a digital native,” says Abby Stokes, a professional actor, turned teacher, turned author. Read Full Post

I’ll be visiting 10 New York Public Library sites in the month of April offering a reassuring, jargon-free, and totally straightforward nuts-and-bolts presentation that will introduce late bloomers, grandparents, technophobes, and the digitally challenged to all the wonders of using a computer. If you know of anyone who needs some computer demystification, send them my way. Read Full Post

I’ll be presenting a mini-series of four lectures on computer-related topics at the centrally-located Mid-Manhattan Library March 21st and 23rd. The first session, for the absolute beginner, will answer the questions: Why would I use a computer? Read Full Post

I’m regularly asked “Should I buy a Mac or a PC?” It’s a battle not unlike the Hatfields vs the McCoys. For those of you that don’t know the difference, a Mac/Apple (the name is interchangeable) is one manufacturer of both laptop and desktop computers. Read Full Post

When I'm asked what free web-based e-mail I recommend it is NOT Gmail. I know, I know. Your kids and grand kids are all over you to use Gmail instead of AOL. I agree that AOL is inconsistent and not as compatible with many handheld devices, but Gmail's design is not particularly "user-friendly" (a misnomer when referring to anything computer). I would suggest Yahoo over Gmail, but I understand that your family has more influence over your decisions that I do.

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‘Tis the season to give thanks, presents, and ring in the New Year. We’re all grateful for the good health and happiness of our friends and family and the good health of our computer and printer. Read Full Post

The Women’s National Book Association hosted a discussion about Book Marketing Online this evening. I was honored to be a member of the panel with a great group of bloggers, publishers, publicists, online marketers, and all around publishing gurus. Read Full Post

There are unique obstacles to teaching technology to a generation that not only wasn’t born with a computer mouse in their hand, but clearly remember when telephones were rotary dial. As a “younger” baby boomer, the transition to computers came a lot easier for me than it did for my mother. Read Full Post