Same story, different approach

A Seniors comfort with computers has much to do with the kind of work they did during their working life. I was in the Financial Services Field for most of my working life and first used a company computer in 1972. Bought my own PC in 1974 & then a Lap Top in 1976. Over the years a couple more Lap Tops, P C's , I Pad. I Phone. I am no techie by a long shot but can get around and get what I need from the various devices. Fortunately, two of my adult grand children are IT employed and can give me aid if and when I need help.
 
fureverywhere said:
Luddite that I tend to be...I paid $1.99 for a snazzy neon green notebook made of paper. Then I found one of many pens floating around the house. Hey a $98 savings at least plus I can doodle in the margins when I'm stuck on hold. I have a camera that takes pictures and video...and all my books are paper. The truth is...
I can post on forums
Punch in and do significant computer stuff at work
Write emails and research online
But turning on the upstairs TV or hubby's cell phone? Can't do it.
No buttons on a paper notebook;)
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So funny and I bet you used tin foil to connect to SF. LOL. I enjoyed your post emensely.


Lon said:
A Seniors comfort with computers has much to do with the kind of work they did during their working life. I was in the Financial Services Field for most of my working life and first used a company computer in 1972. Bought my own PC in 1974 & then a Lap Top in 1976. Over the years a couple more Lap Tops, P C's , I Pad. I Phone. I am no techie by a long shot but can get around and get what I need from the various devices. Fortunately, two of my adult grand children are IT employed and can give me aid if and when I need help.
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You are very lucky, all my young relatives are very far guess I could have tapped into that source, hmmm, just never occurs to me to seek them out for advice on anything. I have to break out of that habit.

On another note, call me a flake, won't be a first time, but, I cancelled that order and replaced it with another same price point. The reason being, is I went back to read the Amazon reviews and saw where a couple of people said the actual viewing screen wears just 7 inches the company evidently calculated in the two inch boarder as part of the tablet suze. What a nasty little trick, I'm just glad I caught it before they shipped. Just have to wait an extra day or so to receive it now.
 
Son_of_Perdition said:
I've been hesitating to enter the tablet world and darn if you didn't push me off the fence. Will order one this afternoon. I had been using an old smart phone my wife had dropped and cracked the glass. It's has a 4 inch screen and with these tired old eyes it's a no brainer. Thanks Ken.

Unrelated: My printing needs are limited now, I do use them occasionally. I used to need a full color one for pictures and our taxes but with the price to have Walmart process them and then do my taxes on line the need has almost been eliminated. Sooooo, I now purchase what I call a disposable printer at Walmart, usually around $29 to $39 with reduced toner cartridges. I found most of time I was replacing them because they dried out before I could use them up. The price of toner is horrendous and it makes it more realistic just to replace your printer.

The only issue I have is I can't buy an Epson, seems like there's a conspiracy with the powers that be and Epson refuses to support the Linux world with compatibility. HP and others have no problem so I have to remember when I see one advertised that it can't be an Epson.

UPDATE: DONE! Should arrive here on the 15th. Decided to get a case.
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AprilT said:
Ken that was one of many I had considered, but, I ended up going with the 9 inch kingpad which had some good reviews on a few other sights and only sold for $60. Even if it doesn't last me I won't feel robbed. I just need something to get me through for now till I can do the real specs and hardware comparisons for what I really want and need.

Please let me know how your Dragon tablet works out for you we should both have our new toys around same time if you too did two day shipping.
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I stayed with the free shipping...It is in the mail and should be here by the 15th..
.
I just hope it is not one of those "you get what you pay for" deals..My Asus last a little over a year at $269!! I did use it daily..

Other reasons that I like the tablet is that I keep it in the parlor and use it a lot. I especially like that I can stream family pictures to the 39 inch TV so our 95 year old mother can see them better. I also like the dual camera for pictures.
 
Ken N Tx said:
I stayed with the free shipping...It is in the mail and should be here by the 15th..
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I just hope it is not one of those "you get what you pay for" deals..My Asus last a little over a year at $269!! I did use it daily..

Other reasons that I like the tablet is that I keep it in the parlor and use it a lot. I especially like that I can stream family pictures to the 39 inch TV so our 95 year old mother can see them better. I also like the dual camera for pictures.
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As an avid porch sitter, there's been so many times when a subject will come up and questions about it are asked. I would jump up go inside and look it up on the laptop. Laptop, my lap is no place to put an expensive computer, mouse attached and me trying to navigate 'google' without having it slide off onto the floor. My laptop is set up on a small utility/craft table and is hardly ever moved. I remove the battery and keep it plugged into the outlet. In reality it's more like a small desktop than a laptop.
 
Another reason I can hardly wait for my tablet to get here, i've miss some great postings from some in this thread. Seems when I click new post some postings get bypassed depending when I happen back to the forum. Sigh

I got a text from Amazon they shipped I should have my tablet Sat. I too ordered a cover also a memory card for extra space.
 
I use a PC. I don't really like laptops, as you have to get into such a weird position to actually use them it makes my neck hurt something fierce. And I have no need to tote one around with me.

Not crazy about the tablets either. Awkward to use, little bitty screens, and again, I don't feel the need to have one when I'm out and about. I have a snazzy cell phone I can use if I REALLY need to look something up while I"m out.
 
Lon said:
A Seniors comfort with computers has much to do with the kind of work they did during their working life. I was in the Financial Services Field for most of my working life and first used a company computer in 1972. Bought my own PC in 1974 & then a Lap Top in 1976. Over the years a couple more Lap Tops, P C's , I Pad. I Phone. I am no techie by a long shot but can get around and get what I need from the various devices. Fortunately, two of my adult grand children are IT employed and can give me aid if and when I need help.
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Sometimes that’s true, and it’s often because a person who doesn’t use a computer has no idea what they can do on one or how much easier their life could be by learning just the basics.

I also think there was a bias; i.e. they thought “sitting at a desk typing” = secretary. I saw some of that attitude even in law firms.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s I because quite frustrated with a a few people in the office who flatly refused to have anything to do with a computer…and the boss let them get away with it. This was a successful commercial real estate firm. All 3 were over age 55. A few others who were older did make an effort and eventually learned.

But I remember one guy getting quite angry because the office manager told him she was not going to spend any more time and money calling a typewriter repair person (they were hard to find anyway) for the one Selectric typewriter that was in the office. Few years later I saw him and he proudly told me how he bought a computer and loved it.
 
Ken N Tx said:
According to USPS Tracking it should be here today!!! View attachment 22626

No need for paying the 2-3 day shipping!!! View attachment 22627
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Excellent, I didn't pay for shipping either, they had the 30 free prime trial, I just have to remember to cancel before end of trial period. Normally I go with regular free shipping.

What I don't care for is now I feel stuck as I don't want to leave to run errands for risk of my package being left outside my door like my monitor was yesterday, numbskulls didn't even knock just left it. Sigh
 
If UPS delivers on Sat I might see my empty case, but the tablet is not expected until the 15th-20th. In the meantime I was thinking about linking my laptop, smartphone (which I don't have but can buy one from my provider for $80) and the in-transit tablet through Linux. That led me to security issues that have plagued the 'Android' OS. I have very little I need to protect other than my personal financial accounts. I read about the malware attacks and it led me to this link, it may be of interest to anyone contemplating a purchase of a tablet or like us who has just purchased one.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/top-android-security-apps/

I have a home network linking my laptop with my wife's Win7 laptop (she plays one game that is only compatible with MS) can't convince her to bag it all and move to Linux. I think it's her mis-guided stand against tyranny in our household.
 
Son_of_Perdition said:
If UPS delivers on Sat I might see my empty case, but the tablet is not expected until the 15th-20th. In the meantime I was thinking about linking my laptop, smartphone (which I don't have but can buy one from my provider for $80) and the in-transit tablet through Linux. That led me to security issues that have plagued the 'Android' OS. I have very little I need to protect other than my personal financial accounts. I read about the malware attacks and it led me to this link, it may be of interest to anyone contemplating a purchase of a tablet or like us who has just purchased one.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/top-android-security-apps/

I have a home network linking my laptop with my wife's Win7 laptop (she plays one game that is only compatible with MS) can't convince her to bag it all and move to Linux. I think it's her mis-guided stand against tyranny in our household.
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Thanks bunches for that article. I went and downloaded that 360 virus protection for my phone lately since I've been using it as my primary source for web surfing this phone has recently been a little quirky. I just used the app to scan, clean and hopefully not make matters worse. Time will tell, I'm not loving the popup that keeps say web surfing protected though I'll get over that if it's really getting the job done.
 
Well I'm typing on my new tablet right now. It took me a few minutes to figure this gizmo out but so far pretty decent though very touch sensitive.. The case I bought comes with a keyboard I didn't even realize that, but the case is for a ten inch tab so it's a bit too big for this ningh in her still for the price of less than $5. Not a bad deal I'll test it out in a little while to see if the keyboard will work with my tab. In the long wrong I think I prefer the full functionality of PC with a keyboard, maybe even going for the Chromebook or chromebox as my next purchase. Time will tell might just take getting used to squinching the body up like lapsorasour or trex to type. Anyway its good to have a bigger viewing screen.
 
AprilT said:
Well I'm typing on my new tablet right now. It took me a few minutes to figure this gizmo out but so far pretty decent though very touch sensitive.. The case I bought comes with a keyboard I didn't even realize that, but the case is for a ten inch tab so it's a bit too big for this ningh in her still for the price of less than $5. Not a bad deal I'll test it out in a little while to see if the keyboard will work with my tab. In the long wrong I think I prefer the full functionality of PC with a keyboard, maybe even going for the Chromebook or chromebox as my next purchase. Time will tell might just take getting used to squinching the body up like lapsorasour or trex to type. Anyway its good to have a bigger viewing screen.
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That was one of the reservations I had about a tablet, being weaned on a full sized keyboard. There is an accessory kit to give me more functionality:

http://www.amazon.com/EEEKit-Access...im_147_11?ie=UTF8&refRID=0057DYP4DWNZGF2GBB3H

I can use a stylus better than my numb fingers (side effect of medication). I self-destruct with a mouse pad. I have a newer laptop so my reasons are to use it as a supplemental browsing source & reader. I'm sure using a tablet for everyday browsing would be cumbersome. It'll probably also look like it's on life support when I'm using it.
 
Great pic but too small, large enough screen but alas no cam (the horror). Can you imagine going somewhere with no phone, no I-pad, and worse yet no cam? You do realize we have been enslaved don't ya? Big brother in his bunker high on a mountain top, looking at a wall size video screen of us and laughing to himself, "give 'em all a toy and you've got the forever"!
 
AZ Jim said:
Great pic but too small, large enough screen but alas no cam (the horror). Can you imagine going somewhere with no phone, no I-pad, and worse yet no cam? You do realize we have been enslaved don't ya?
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True, but mine will only be used for good. Once we were hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, after dinner the adults were sitting around the living room and I realized me and the wife were the only ones not glued to our phones. I watched my daughter and SIL, then realized they were sitting next to each other texting back and forth, at that point I said 'Enough'!
 
Son_of_Perdition said:
That was one of the reservations I had about a tablet, being weaned on a full sized keyboard. There is an accessory kit to give me more functionality:

http://www.amazon.com/EEEKit-Access...im_147_11?ie=UTF8&refRID=0057DYP4DWNZGF2GBB3H

I can use a stylus better than my numb fingers (side effect of medication). I self-destruct with a mouse pad. I have a newer laptop so my reasons are to use it as a supplemental browsing source & reader. I'm sure using a tablet for everyday browsing would be cumbersome. It'll probably also look like it's on life support when I'm using it.
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H

That looks like some great add ons I found. That I'll need a connection piece to hook my tàblet to the keyboard I received since the tablet has a micro opening and the cord on the keyboard is USB. I ordered the connector yesterday in the meantime I am getting better usig my thumbs. As Long as I'm sitting leaning back comfortably in my recliner. Still I'm looking forward to my future purchase of a more complete grndma unit I can sit at a desk and use instead of what should be my lap but is actually me belly:D
 
Working on mine....80% satisfied at this point..New learning curve setting up apps and internet..Camera not as good as I expected..WiFi keeps dropping out!! I must give it more time..
 
Ken N Tx said:
Working on mine....80% satisfied at this point..New learning curve setting up apps and internet..Camera not as good as I expected..WiFi keeps dropping out!! I must give it more time..
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Ken, I wasn't expecting a lot from this rather cheap tablet, I, did only pay $60, so far it keeps the connection unless I power off then I have to give it a minute as I play with the wyfi buttons. Some of the apps. Ares are an issue, but then I can live without those by doing what t I did for years and just typing in where I want to go. I really just wanted to be able to get on !one visiting websites I normally visit and general surfing, in that sense so far so good. For what I paid no major complaints, if I'd paid a lot more, I would be, disappointed because of the apps and connectivity issues and half a dozen other things I might think of,
 
Ken N Tx said:
Working on mine....80% satisfied at this point..New learning curve setting up apps and internet..Camera not as good as I expected..WiFi keeps dropping out!! I must give it more time..
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My wifi is a DSL connection, I had cable connection before and found that even the higher end cable streaming/Netflix was throttled during the evening hours, I had problems with buffering. Since my change over to DSL I have no buffering but I do lose my wifi connection on my laptop when idle. The location of the DSL modem is in the rear of the house and the cable modem was within 12 feet of my laptop & sat next to my ROKU, go figure. Also, Mondays must be reboot day at the DSL provider. Minor issues. I've instructed my wife when that happens it usually is a good practice to reboot the modem then reboot her laptop. Poor people (myself) have poor ways. Patience is a virtue with computers & not my strong point.

I also found that with DSL and the remote modem I had connection problems with a DELL 10 inch netbook. DELL used suspect Linksys wifi cards in those cheaper units. I have a friend that I see occasionally who works for Nvidia, he said they had problems with that technology & Linksys didn't want to invest any money into making them more stable. To solve the connection problems I purchased an external USB wifi adapter. Problem solved. I know it is a poor work around but did keep me connected. I since gave the netbook to my granddaughter & pushed the problem off to my SIL. I think they use it as a paper weight, too light to make a good boat anchor.

I'm an advocate of completely powering off my all my electronic equipment, even my coffee grinder at night, one to save money on power, two I have dealt too many times with a customer who would have resolved their own issues with a simple reboot/restart and three if you have a loss of power even a UL power strip can't prevent some surges.

AprilT said:
I've decided this will be my next pc purchase. :)
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I've looked at those CPU's several times and wondered how powerful is the video card, I'd want something able to drive at least a 20 inch or larger.
 
Good question about the cpu, I know the guy in the video answered a lot of good expansion fyi things in that and another of his videos on the Chromeboxes. I'll look into your question further out office curiosity. Brb
 
Appears you can hook it up to whatever size screen you so choose to. I saw other videos with it hooked up to 40 inhers. I just posted this video because the guy cracked me up.


 
Just checked both my tablet and groovy leather case are arriving tomorrow the 13th. I'll have my evening full so I'll once again be ignoring all my calls.

I had been looking at an All-in-One computer that I had figured out how to safely bolt it down to my utility/craft table. More details about the Chromebox are good, it appears that you can dual boot a Linux OS alongside the Chrome OS (also a Linux based system), a big plus with me. Chrome for general surfing, cloud storage and Linux for secure account access. Saves money overall. No mucking around finding & defeating the Windows secure boot back door.

Another plus for this is to buy the 4 GB @ 199.99 use a HDMI cable to hook to your TV instead of a monitor. Reviewers claim this is doable and eliminates the need for an additional monitor. You will have to have a wireless mouse and keyboard.

UPDATE: Both the tablet and case arrived on 10/13/2015. First problem was the power adapter plug was different than the instructions showed. It is definitely a product of China, some of the instructions are a little interesting syntax. Nicely packaged. It said to charge for 10 hours. When I brought it up 10 hours later it showed 9% charged. The wifi was seamless connecting first try, shows over 90% which is better than my laptop. Date/time were set and I'm off. Temporarily set it aside after setting shutoff to 30 minutes and it appears to be charging.
 
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Ken N Tx said:
I ordered this 10" tablet yesterday..Not bad for $101 shippng included..

CLICK HERE FOR INFO
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Any updates/reviews on the tablets that you bought ??

Mine drops the internet signal, but I have learned to tolerate it..It has to be the tablet as others have complained (Amazon reviews)..My Kindle and Roku are in the same room and never drop my WiFi signal.

I have yet to really use the camera, one of the main reasons I bought the tablet.

All and all, for 98 bucks, not a bad deal..
 
Could someone please explain to me the difference between a tablet and a laptop? ... dummy here.
If I bought this tablet, what can it not do vs. a laptop?? Just curious.
 
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