Learning about new technology

Bill.K

Bill.K

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Canada
I was wondering if anyone knew any websites that were regularly updated with news about new technology. One that isn't too technical in language, that anyone can understand while getting the point across still. I'd like to be kept up to date but don't even know where to look :(
 

Bill.K said:
I was wondering if anyone knew any websites that were regularly updated with news about new technology. One that isn't too technical in language, that anyone can understand while getting the point across still. I'd like to be kept up to date but don't even know where to look :(
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I started listening to this gal years ago, when I could catch her show on AM radio. Her name is Kim Komando, and she playfully refers to herself as "the digital goddess". She know everything digital, and has an elderly mother who she assists with her computer and cell phone use, etc. Her site has some updated tips, buying guides, cool site recommendations, etc. and she has a free newsletter if you're interested. Parts of her site can only be accessed if you're a member of her 'club', but there's plenty of free and informative browsing one can do there. http://www.komando.com/
 
Wow thanks, I've read some interesting stuff already, thank you :)
 

I think that teaching seniors about technology such as cell phones or computers are great because they open a whole new world up for them. It is great to be able to skype my grandparents whilst I am away, and they have learnt so much about the computer. There are classes, but the best way to learn is by getting grandchildren, etc to teach you - spend quality time together.
 

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If you were in technology in a past (or present) life, check out www.CRN.com. Lots of business IT news, easy to digest. Some breaking news, other features. There is an entrepreneur part of the site called, "how-to," that is written for business owners as well.
 
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Well, I am married to a computer whiz, so that helps a lot. My kids seem to just pick it up as if they were born knowing how to do all the techy stuff. I find that they can't really teach me, since they just assume everyone understands like they do. They just don't get it that their mom doesn't get it. :) Some of the techy stuff I have figured out myself. I try not to learn anymore than I plan to use, otherwise my head just starts to overload. :)
 
Elzee said:
Well, I am married to a computer whiz, so that helps a lot. My kids seem to just pick it up as if they were born knowing how to do all the techy stuff. I find that they can't really teach me, since they just assume everyone understands like they do. They just don't get it that their mom doesn't get it. :) Some of the techy stuff I have figured out myself. I try not to learn anymore than I plan to use, otherwise my head just starts to overload. :)
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WOW! I can relate to the kids so much! Anytime I buy anything new the first thing I do is fine some Thai teenager and just give it to him. Within a few moments he knows how it works, shows me how to use it and bingo! I am the expert! I am believing that this new generation of kids must have a new gene that us oldies don't!
 
Rick said:
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Scientific American: Technology
http://www.scientificamerican.com/technology

Enjoy!
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Good links!

I used to be an avid reader of Scientific American when I was a teen. When I first saw your link I wondered how that would be an appropriate site for a "layman", since SciAm was always more like a professional scientific journal with tons of five-dollar words, but I see that they've toned down the language for the "regular" people. ;)

An interesting tech blog for non-tech folk (but only in the field of computers) is AskBillFirst - he takes the time to explain everything in simple-to-understand terms.
 
To join Senior Forums I needed an email address, not having a clue how to do that, or even what email is, I've never sent one, the fellow who looks after our laptops set one up, pro-bono. It has never worked, or more to the point, if it doesn't work first time it doesn't get a second chance. Undoubtedly it's me not the email, but I am not bereft in any way.

You need to know that snippet of trivia because yesterday I had a contractor come to look at a minor roof repair. He asked for my email address, knowing it doesn't work I say: "I haven't got one." This is the end of the world. He not only hasn't used a postage stamp in years, he doesn't have writing paper either. I am sure he doesn't believe me, but following his phone call he is going to be surprised to see King Charles on our stamps rather than Queen Elizabeth. That's if he bothers to submit a quote. It irritates him that someone can survive in the twenty-first century still using parchment and quill, he probably thinks that my desk is illuminated by candlelight.
 
Having spent most of my working life in I.T. - both hardware and software, I now do without it as far as possible. My Caravan Club membership is due for renewal and I've been advised that following a suggestion a club member, that membership cards will only be issued on request, otherwise it's yet another 'app' of their 'smart?' phone.

Unfortunately my nearest town which had four banks, now has none. Banking and non-food shopping is largely on-line and even trying to get a doctors appointment needs to be done online. I have however progressed from candle light to an oil lamp :D
 
There is a youtube channel that is called Tech for Seniors, and they have videos on a lot of useful topics for seniors just learning more about using a computer, getting a smart phone, and related topics. Here is one of their videos, which will take you to their youtube channel and more videos.

 
Bill.K said:
I was wondering if anyone knew any websites that were regularly updated with news about new technology. One that isn't too technical in language, that anyone can understand while getting the point across still. I'd like to be kept up to date but don't even know where to look :(
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Ars technica is always a daily read for me, has a wide variety of articles to browse. AnnandTech has similar offerings, I've been a member of their computer forum since the late '90s.
 
Capt Lightning said:
Having spent most of my working life in I.T. - both hardware and software, I now do without it as far as possible.
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Maybe my ignorance of computer and internet technology is due to not being exposed to it. We have no children and therefore, no grandchildren, so we have never experienced youngsters glued to their phone.
Hackney said:
🧟‍♂️ OTND /Old Threads Never Die 🖥️
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What is the point of starting a new thread when an existing one, albeit dormant, covers the subject matter perfectly?
Hackney said:
I found some of the new replies quite good. Revived old threads are like a happy accident
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Well there you go, I am glad that you enjoyed it. My computer is hooked up to a printer, I should be able to print off anything that I type. The printer is also a scanner, so I should be able to scan anything and it will go into the computer from where, for example, I can display it here, Try as I might I can do neither, that is print or scan. I really do need some tuition. But I can write, that's write in a style known as Italic Script. My ignorance of technology means that I can only photograph the end result in order to display it, but hey-ho, I can still show you what I mean.
letter 001.JPGText & Emails 003.JPG
 
Bill.K said:
I was wondering if anyone knew any websites that were regularly updated with news about new technology. One that isn't too technical in language, that anyone can understand while getting the point across still. I'd like to be kept up to date but don't even know where to look :(
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Kim Kommando has some excellent reviews along with do's and don'ts about current and emerging technology. Be prepared to be bombarded with a lot of promos and ads that aren't filtered out. But at the end of the day she knows her stuff
 
It's more than possible that I have posted this before, amnesia and old age are popular bedfellows.
Going back a few years, pre-lockdown, a tentative knock on the door, it was my neighbour. Standing there with her son, she asked: "Did I know anything about quadratic equations?" The boy looked extremely miserable, how could I not take pity on him? Remembering quads, as they were known, from way back in schooldays, I'm not that good, but I do have a rather good book to help.

At my neighbour's house I read the screen on the boy's computer, it said: "Quadratic equations are second-degree algebraic expressions and are of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0. The term "quadratic" comes from the Latin word "quadratus" meaning square, which refers to the fact that the variable x is squared in the equation. In other words, a quadratic equation is an “equation of degree 2.” The poor lad, he just couldn't grasp quadratic equations.

We had a chat, nothing about mathematics or homework. His girlfriend had called time on them, oh dear! He wasn't having a good day. Slowly I explained quads in simple English, then did a couple of easy examples. Keeping it easy I asked him what was next as we went through the problem together. In no time he had cracked it. We then looked at his homework, it was no longer a challenging: numbers on a page. He finished it.

The delighted lad looked at me and came out with a classic: "If you are so smart," he said, "how come I have to set your computer for you whenever you want something new programming?" "That's a very good question," I replied, as I collected my book and went home.
 
You did what you could. One of my grandsons asked me to help him with his introduction to accounting course during his freshman year of college. I remembered my professor from my time taking that course. During each class he would periodically open the top side drawer of his desk, peak down and then proceed with the lesson. We were taking the final exam the first guy done placed his test booklet on the desk, peaked in the drawer and burst out laughing. We each did the same.

There in the bottom of the drawer was a worn note taped down; it said, "DEBITS ON LEFT - CREDITS ON RIGHT". I still remember that professor with a warm chuckle more than fifty years later.
 
Technology changes daily, what may be true and work today, may NOT be true and work tomorrow.

I just feel good finding the 'quit' or 'logout' link on my newly installed 'Evolution', rather than just clicking on the red 'X' in the upper right hand corner.

It only took 2 days. I like 'The Register' for my tech info.
 
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During one of occupational stints in the telecommunications business I went to the Las Vegas Electronics Show. You are so right. During that first experience I got to see the first hand held computer that was in my hand. It was made my Timex and its capabilities by today's standard were primitive at best. I was thinking recently about that and I am considering attending another exhibition.

They actually have that show twice a year, once in Las Vegas and once in Chicago. In today's social climate I'm reluctant to go to Chicago, it's not the same city I enjoyed visiting over the years, but that could be said about many of our legendary cities these days. Anyway, I going to look into it some more and see if I can work out the details.
 

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