In the slow lane on the Internet Highway……

 But, you have to start somewhere, and I started to use the computer way back when I was only seventy years old.  My brother dragged me kicking and screaming into the modern world of new technology. He gave me a computer so I could practice, but it   took me years to come to grips with computing and, until recently, I only used the most basic Word programme and did emails. My filing was, and still is, chaotic.  I crashed my computer three times, losing all of the data that I had managed to acquire. 

 However, in the last couple of years, it has become a lot clearer to me, and now that I am over eighty, I am capable and confident enough to set out on my journey into the Land of the Internet.  I belong to an organisation called Age Concern, and in their recent newsletter there was an article on how few of us oldies are computer savvy, maybe as low as 5%.

 I know that it is nerve wracking to come face to face with a tablet or desktop, and I certainly wouldn’t have developed as far as I have if I didn’t have my personal brain trainer.  He comes in once a month and we go through all of the problems I am having. I just make notes on what the problem is and then he resolves it for me.  This gives me the confidence to continue with the learning process.  If you have a young relative who is computer literate, get him or her to come in and give you a few lessons and act as your mentor.  Get a book from the library on the basics, I have used the Dummies books, and read through it and bookmark the sections that you need help with.  If you find it is helping you, buy yourself a copy.  I use mine as reference text books.  Buy a notebook and make handwritten notes on how you solved this or that problem. 

 I think that having the ability to tune into the virtual world is like having a third arm.  I don’t have to visit the bank, the library, or the supermarket.  I can go virtual shopping in all of the big stores, and have the goods delivered to my door, without having to step outside.  This gives me my independence.