That’s where my first bit of advice to you comes in . . . Have a pad of paper and a pen beside your computer at all times. As you have a revelation about how to do something, write it down then and there. It is so easy to forget. Also, if something seems amiss, make a note of what you were doing when the computer misbehaved. Does it always happen when you use a particular program, on the Internet, e-mailing, or at a certain time of day? All of that information becomes very helpful in the diagnosis of a problem.

Here’s my second bit of advice . . . Play with your computer. The only way I really became comfortable with the computer was to spend time with it. Make a point of using it every day, even if for only ten minutes of Solitaire or to check the weather. Every time you touch the computer you get closer to being master of the beast.

For over a decade I’ve taught computers to those over 50. So, if the computer intimidates you, I completely understand. If there are times you feel you want to throw in the towel and never turn on a computer again, I’ve seen it before. If the Internet seems like a scary place to visit, I won’t disagree. But, I won’t allow you to think that any of that is about your deficiencies or that you are somehow incapable of using the computer. Computers were designed by geeks who didn’t think about what is best for the user (that is you and me). The fault is not yours, but their’s. You and I, together, will make up for their blunders and ultimately enjoy what the computer and the Internet have to offer.

There is no way that you can’t learn the computer. With all due respect and love to my mother, if my mother can conquer the computer anyone can. Stick with me and we’ll get you there safe and sound.

Some of the tips are below:

1) The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

2) Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box use your work address. Never have your social security number printed on your checks-you can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

3) Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when you travel either here or abroad.

If someone steals your wallet, you should cancel your credit cards immediately. The key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

Most importantly, call the three national credit-reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

The numbers are:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

Fingers crossed that this will never happen to you or me!

Here are some additional bits of advice, if the time comes that you need to call for help:

Have all pertinent information about your computer at the ready. You may need to provide the tech person with the specs on your system. It’s a good idea to have written down the make and model of your computer and the operating system. The make and model (i.e. Sony Vaio PCG-505FX, MacBook, etc.) is usually noted on the front of your computer case. When the computer is warming up the operating system (i.e. Windows XP, Vista, OSX, etc.) will be displayed. Alternatively, if you have a PC, you can find all this information by RIGHT clicking on the “My Computer” icon. Then LEFT click on the word “Properties”. Here you can see the make and model of the computer, the operating system and even the amount of RAM. If you have a Mac, you can click on the Apple in the top left corner, then click on “About This Mac”.

Ask if the tech support person is familiar with your system. I’m all for learning on the job, but not when it comes to tech support. With so many different computer systems being used and a lot of compatibility problems, it is essential that you start your search for answers with someone who is familiar with your system. If the technician is not familiar with your computer system, please feel empowered to ask for someone that is.

If you took advantage of the "Test Drive Form" in my book when you bought your computer (Chapter 7), all the information you need is already written on that form. Handy, isn’t it?

The keyboard on a computer is very similar to the keyboard on a typewriter. The alphabet and number keys are set up in exactly the same pattern as on your old Smith-Corona and function in the same way.

That may not be a consolation for those of you that never learned to type, but here are some tips to help you with your typing:

1) Don’t rush! Who’s timing you? No one. So, take your time. Watch your fingers find the keys and look up at the screen to check your accuracy. Even if you use the wrong fingers to type, the more you type the faster and more accurate your typing will become.

2) If you are using a laptop and the keyboard feels cramped, plug in an external, larger keyboard into the laptop.

3) If you suffer from arthritis (or have extremely long fingernails) and find the keyboard difficult to manage, use the eraser end of a pencil to hit the keys on the keyboard instead of your fingertips.

4) Use a small dollop of bright colored nail polish on the Period key to distinguish it from the Comma key next to it.

5) The Backspace key and the Delete key are there for you to use if you make a mistake.

6) Gently depress a release computer keys. If you hold down a computer key it will sttttttttutter.

7) Above the Shift key is the Caps Lock key. Beware of accidentally hitting the Caps Lock key, which will make what you type appear in upper case. Simply depress and release Caps Lock to deactivate it.

It is pure poppycock to let poor typing prevent you from enjoying what a computer has to offer. I will hear none uf it! (Oops, I mean “of it”.)

If, and when, the time comes that you need to call technical support, it is best to be prepared:

1) Take notes. As soon as you get a live person on the line (and that can take a bit of time) ask for their name and a direct number that you can call them back at in case you get disconnected or have further questions. Note the date and get a reference number for the call before you hang up. Make a general note about the original problem, so you can track it if it recurs.

2) Give them your phone number. It has happened that I’ve gotten disconnected mid-call and the tech support person didn’t have my number to call me back.

3) Take your time and keep them on the line. If they’re talking too fast, tell them to slow down. Or, if they want to get off the line before you’re sure everything is working properly, ask them to stay on until you’ve tested the computer out. There are times I’ve had to be quite firm about the last point.

4) Don’t hesitate to ask for a supervisor. If you’re not satisfied or feel that you’re not getting anywhere with the tech support person, definitely ask to speak to a supervisor. You may get some resistance, but hold fast.

5) It’s always best to get a new computer up and running right away. You want to be sure to get all the bugs out while you’re still under warranty and your tech support calls are free.

Be prepared that you may get a tech support person on the line who is not qualified to answer your question. It is frustrating, but it can happen. At that point you should either ask for a supervisor, call back and hope to get someone else or track down a computer wiz in your neighborhood who can help you. As for your visit to the dentist, remember to floss!

• Purchase the computer from a reputable store. If for some reason your machine needs to be returned or repaired, you don’t want to go back to where you bought it and see that it’s unexpectedly gone out of business.
• If you’re considering the purchase of a used computer, be sure you have some recourse if it breaks down. This will probably be in the form of a verbal agreement, so only buy a used computer from someone you know and trust. Also, keep in mind that the life span of a computer (due to the constantly changing technology) is at best about 4 years. If the computer is four years or older, say “Thanks, but no thanks.” It’ll be too slow and behind the times to be any fun for you.
• Get your computer up and running right away. Most stores offer a 30-day return policy. That means you must have the computer hooked up and run it through its paces before those thirty days have passed. Otherwise, you may lose the opportunity to exchange it, if there are problems. And if you bought it second hand, the sooner you discover the bugs the more likely the seller will either take the machine back or pay for repairs.

Of the three possible pitfalls above the only one I’ve experienced is the last. I know many folks who are fearful of setting up the computer without help. Their instincts are correct to be cautious. Do get someone to help you, but call RIGHT AWAY. Don’t let months go by in case you need to take advantage of the store’s return policy. My bet is that you won’t have to contact the store at all, but why take the chance?

(Be sure to also read the article Don’t Get Stuck With A Lemon before you make your next computer purchase.)

Here’s how:
1) Open the e-mail you want to send on to others.

2) Scroll to the bottom of content that you want to capture.

3) Place the cursor to the right of the last word of the text.

4) Depress the left mouse button and keep it depressed as you move up the text.

You’ll notice that the text will scroll down as you move up. This clicking and dragging is a tricky operation, but with a little practice you’ll get it. Do NOT release the mouse button until all of the desired text is highlighted. If you have gone to far up the text, keep the mouse depressed and move back over the highlighted text. This will deactivate that text.

5) Once the text is highlighted release the mouse button and click on the word “Edit” at the top of your screen.

6) Click on “Copy” in the menu that opened. The text you highlighted is now being held in the brain of the computer until you tell it where to place it.

7) Generate a new e-mail template. This is most likely done by either clicking on “Write”, “Compose” or “New Mail”.

Click inside the text box of the new e-mail to activate it.

9) Click on “Edit” at the top of your screen.

10) Click on “Paste” in the menu that opened. Bravo! Now you can now tidy up the text by deleting any unnecessary spaces or you can add your own text within the content that now appears.

11) Address the e-mail to whomever you want remembering to use the BCC feature to keep people’s e-mail addresses private.

Why not ask your friends if they want to receive forwarded jokes, petitions, etc. Keep in mind that a personal note from a friend is much more welcome than a bunch of impersonal e-mails passed on to many.

Here are some of the advantages of using a digital camera:

1) You don’t need to pay for film or developing. A digital camera requires no film. The photographs are stored on a small removal chip inside the camera. You can then transfer (or “download”) the pictures from the chip onto your computer. If you don’t take your computer on your travels, you might want to invest in an additional chip. Be sure to find out how many images can be stored on the each chip.

2) Digital pictures can be viewed and discarded on the spot. With a conventional camera you’re never sure of the quality of the photograph until it has come back from being developed. This is not true of digital photography. You can view the image immediately and decide if you want to retake the shot. You can also delete images you don’t want along the way.

3) Digital images can be e-mailed while you’re still traveling. When we were in Alaska I transferred Eve’s digital pictures to my computer. Then I attached a select few to e-mails so my friends and family could get an immediate view of what we were seeing. Pretty amazing!

4) Once your digital images are stored in your computer you can then make adjustments to the image (i.e. crop it, remove the red eye, etc.) before you print and frame it. Be sure to invest in good photo quality paper or your image won’t be as clear as you expect. The quality of the picture is also going to depend on the quality of your printer.

Instead of carrying rolls and rolls of film Eve carried a spare set of batteries for her digital camera. Much less cumbersome and not nearly as expensive. Before you invest in a digital camera try out a friend’s or have a salesperson give you a demonstration. Even with a digital camera I can still cut off people’s heads, but at least I didn’t have to pay to see my disastrous photo attempts developed.

The first half of our trip was spent on a cruise ship where I wasn’t able to connect my laptop for Internet access. The ship did offer Internet access on their computers at $7.50 for 15 minutes. (Ouch!)

Read below for helpful hints on accessing e-mail while away and how to avoid hefty Internet fees: 

• It is important you know what company you use for your e-mail (i.e. your Internet Service Provider or ISP). It will be their web site that you’ll visit for your e-mail. For example, if you’re an AOL user, you’ll go to www.aol.com to check for new e-mail. Some ISPs do not allow access from outside computers. Call or e-mail your ISP to find out what they offer.
• Write your e-mail password down and bring it on your trip. You will not be able to access your e-mail without your password. Many people think they can remember their password, but it is always safer to write it down.
• Bring the e-mail addresses of the folks you want to e-mail while you’re traveling. Just in case your ISP doesn’t let you access your e-mail address book, always bring the addresses that you think you may want to send e-mail.
• Take advantage of the public library at your destination. To avoid the hefty Internet fees on the cruise ship I visited the local library when we were in port. I was able to access the Internet for free!

Being away no longer means being out of touch. I’ve been able to receive and send e-mail no matter how remote our location. I’ve even been able to send e-mail to my grandmother every day so she can experience our adventures almost as they happen.

Spam is another name for junk mail. In the same way that you get bulk junk mail in your mailbox at home, this is bulk junk in your e-mail inbox. You can often look in the “To:” area and see that the same e-mail has been sent to many other people.

Unfortunately, there is no telling how you got on the spammer’s e-mail list, but there are some ways to minimize your future exposure:

1) Establish a secondary e-mail address that you give out when making purchases. Take advantage of the free web-based e-mail accounts available – i.e. www.hotmail.com, www.gmail.com, or www.yahoo.com. Here you can have an e-mail address for free to give out to the general public and save your other e-mail address for friends only.

2) Check if your e-mail provider can block Spam. Many services will offer to detect bulk e-mails and place them in a “Junk Mail” folder for you to view and delete. Some providers will, if you choose, prohibit the receipt of all bulk e-mail. The latter is a bit dodgy as you might get sent bulk mail from a friend or company that you want to receive. Be sure you understand how your service block the e-mails.

3) Visit chat rooms and message boards incognito. Chat rooms and message boards are a great resource for spammers to add to their mailing lists. Do not use your “friends only” e-mail address when visiting either.

For those of you that like the meat in a tin, more power to you. But you don’t have to put up with it in your inbox. If you get really objectionable spam, please contact the Network Abuse Clearinghouse at www.abuse.net.