SeniorNet Dallas

A Safety Net for You - OnGuardOnline.gov

2009-05-26T18:36:00.011-05:00

We all need up to date information on how to secure our computers, protect against Internet fraud and protect our personal information. The federal government in collaberation with the technology industry has developed a great web site which provides practical tips to help you safeguard your computer and your personal information...... onguardonline.gov.

The site has a number of fun game-like quizes to test your knowledge of safe shopping, ID theft, safe investing, Phishing scams, laptop security and many others. Click on the link below or the games image above to launch the OnGuardOnline page containing the quizes. Enjoy, and we hope you pass with flying colors. If not check out the rest of the site where you'll find the answers to all of your safety questions.

Take a Quiz

SeniorNet Offers Safe Shopping Online Workshop - 05/29

2009-05-04T13:29:00.006-05:00

Are you one of the 75% of Internet users today who would like to shop on the Internet but do not like giving out credit card numbers or personal information? Since the year 2000 the number of online users either buying or researching products online has roughly doubled. Even though there is wide use of the internet for shopping, worries about sending personal or credit card information online still keeps many away.

But the advantages cannot be ignored. Shopping on the net can be a boon to seniors, the physically challenged, or people who are not in a position to venture out. Users can shop almost any store in the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SeniorNet of Dallas is offering a 2 hour online shopping workshop on Friday, May 29 at 1 PM. The course will give you tips for shopping safely and reveal how your online purchases are secured and processed. We will also teach you about comparison shopping, auctions, finding bargains, online coupons, company privacy and return policies and delivery options. We hope this course will give you the pros and cons of shopping the net and the tools to decide if you, too, want to join the millions who now enjoy shopping with their mouse instead of their feet.

Join Us on June 26 at 1 PM for this 3 hour workshop - Call 214-841-2818

Spring 2009 Class Enrollment

2009-05-04T12:55:00.004-05:00

Better hurry! Our May - June 2009 classes are filling up fast. Click on the link below to see the new schedule of classes and workshops.

Call 214-841-2818 today.

May-June, 09 Classes

SeniorNet Survey

2009-05-04T11:30:00.000-05:00

As volunteer educators we are always interested in how you, as Seniors, view today's world of technology and computers and how you would like to use them. If you are 50 years old or older, we'd like you to give us your input in a short survey (just 8 questions) which is COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS. The results will be used for no other purpose than help us improve our ever-changing curriculum. If you haven't taken this survey before, just click on the "Talk to Us" link below and use your Browser's back arrow to return here when your finished. A BIG THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

Talk to Us!

Click here to see survey results to date.

From Our May 2009 Newsletter - TIP!!

2009-05-04T11:16:00.002-05:00

TIP!!

Need to make email easier to read?

If you have a scroll wheel on your mouse (between left and right mouse button), there is a very easy way to increase the text size in your email.

Just hold down the "Ctrl" key on your keyboard while you push the scroll wheel forward on the mouse.

Try it! It works!

Note: This method works only for web-based email. It does not work if you are using Outlook Express for email or other email systems which run from your local computer.

What Is Spyware?

2009-05-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

Spyware is a general term used to describe software that performs certain behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent first.

Read Microsoft's excellent article which explains Spyware and how to prevent it. Click HERE.

Slide Show - Uses of the Internet by Generation

2009-04-18T14:35:00.003-05:00

This is a series of charts from the "Generations Online in 2009" Pew Research report released on Jan. 28, 2009. It is interesting to note that the biggest increase in use of the Internet since 2005 has been by those who are 70 years old and older! (slide number 7). We like to think that SeniorNet had something to do with that. To view the slide show in full screen, click on the "screen" icon in the bottom right of the picture below.

V. Ingram

Generations Online in 2009 Slide Show:

View more presentations from PewInternet.

Volunteer Appreciation Coffee - December 2008

2009-01-30T17:04:00.005-06:00

SeniorNet of Dallas volunteer teachers, coaches and office personnel gathered together at the second annual Volunteer Appreciaton Coffee at The Point at C. C. Young on December 5. The turnout was outstanding. Click on the picture above to view a full slide show of the event. Those young faces you see in the pictures belong to our much appreciated volunteers from Brinker International Corporation. How did we ever do without them?

THANK YOU ALL for your help and support this past year.

SeniorNet of Dallas

Turkey Shoot Mouse Practice Game!

2009-01-10T17:00:00.007-06:00

Our popular Snowball Fight game is no long available but you were all getting too good at it anyway, so here's a NEW challenge. THE TURKEY SHOOT!. . Have fun and practice your mouse maneuvers at the same time. Click on the link below to play. Get those turkeys!! To return to this page when your done, just click on your browsers BACK arrow.

CLICK HERE TO START THE TURKEY SHOOT!

Enjoy!

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

2008-10-18T17:11:00.007-05:00

Our Dora (Dora Owens, SeniorNet coach and office assistant) has been training all year for this as we know from her Walking Log. CONGRATULATIONS DORA on your active support of this great cause and for being one of the millions of happy survivors!

Dora's Race for the Cure Slide Show

Valle

Dora's Walking Log

2008-09-01T23:35:00.005-05:00

2008's totals are in. Dora logged a total of 584.43 miles for the year!

Some of our volunteers don't let the grass grow under their feet. One such volunteer is Dora Owens who has been active at SeniorNet for 4 years. She maintains her good health with a routine walking program that she really sticks to and logs her progress on a spreadsheet. Of course she learned how to create that spreadsheet in a class at SeniorNet of Dallas. Here's what Dora says:

"I decided to walk on Jan 26, 2004 when I was eighty years old. I do let miscellaneous reasons distract me from my routine. But the days I walk are always BETTER than the days I don't. I recommend this to anyone who can and will find time for walking. It is safe and easy to walk in my neighborhood...and besides JoLene [dog] loves it.

In 2004 and most of 2005 I was using the treadmill at Garland Senior Center. I had to sign up and wait my turn to do that. Then I got a pedometer and started walking in my neighborhood. On my route I put nine neighbors papers by their front door. They complain when I don't deliver!"

Click here to see Dora's Walking Log

Go Dora!

Photo Tip - Create an e-mailable image

2008-05-30T19:19:00.007-05:00

When sending photos to friends and family via e-mail, don't send them the files straight from your digital camera, because they're too big (in terms of file size) for most peoples' inboxes. Each image file produced by a digital camera is usually one megabyte in size or more. While files that big can technically be attached to e-mails, some recipients' e-mail boxes may get overloaded by such files, and others might reject these large attachments outright.

So before e-mailing a photo, it's a good idea to reduce its file size. This is especially true if you are planning to send multiple photos in one e-mail message.

Click Here to learn how to do this easily with Windows Paint

Computer Help Simply Put

2008-04-05T14:47:00.006-05:00

I you are using the Windows XP Operating System and are looking for great online source of help in simple terms, just check out:

The Coolnerds.com PC Survival Camp

Everything is explained with the computer novice in mind. It is free to use and there are no ads of any kind. Here are some of the topics:

"Wrong Button!", "Crash the Internet", "Desktop", "Start Menu", "Task Bar", "Understand Windows Explorer", "What's Download?", "What's a Web Browser?", "Software", "Toobars"........

You get the idea.

The Ageless Internet

2008-03-03T00:41:00.001-06:00

If you think folks over the age of 60 are only represented on the Internet by sites like AARP and SeniorNet, think again. Many seniors have their own web pages or web logs (blogs). Check out "the Ageless Project" to visit countless entertaining and informative sites built by seniors, catagorized by year of birth.

A couple of my favorites are below. Click on them to experience.

Last Quarter Game of Life (age 82)
Don to Earth (age 94)

Also of interest: Where Elders Blog

Valle Ingram

How's Your Reaction Time?

2008-03-01T13:08:00.002-06:00

How quick on the draw are you with the mouse? We're not sure this has anything to do with driving a car but if this game rates you as "Sluggish snail" or "Ambling armadillo", it might be a clue not to drive too fast.

Click here to give it a try!

Air Force Mouse Exercise

2008-02-29T12:54:00.000-06:00

The object of this game is to move the red block around without getting hit by the blue blocks or touching the black walls.
If you can go longer than 18 seconds you are phenomenal. It's been said that the US Air Force uses this for fighter pilots. They are expected to go for at least 2 minutes.

Click once on the square at left to enter the game .......

GOOD LUCK!

Surfers Graduate - Internet and Email

2008-02-21T15:29:00.001-06:00

Click on the picture to view a larger image

Congratulations to all graduates of the SeniorNet winter Internet and Email class. This class was super savvy and even taught the teacher a few things. Good luck with your surfing and keep in touch!

David A., Bill B., Joanne B., Jerry B., Anneliese C., Robert F., Marian I., Jane K. and Susan S.

Click here to view the updated Graduation Video

Thanks and watch this page for our upcoming spring class schedule.

Valle I.

Good Links!

2008-01-15T23:24:00.000-06:00

Are you looking for a good reference web page that gives you all the links to sites you've ever wanted? Well, SeniorNet has made one for you. It has 103 links in 9 categories and has become known as the "SeniorNet of Dallas Yellow Page". This is a good one to make your Home Page or add to your Favorites or Bookmarks. Click on the picture or the link below:

SeniorNet of Dallas Yellow Page

Congratulations Grads - Introduction to Computers

2007-12-15T19:47:00.000-06:00

Click on picture for a larger view

Congratulations to Jan A., Ria K., Pat S., Margie T., Caryl V. and Bob V. for completing the Dallas SeniorNet Learning Center's Introduction to Computers Course, December 14, 2007.

This was a terrific class! Hope to see you back next year.

Merry Christmas,

Valle

SeniorNet Volunteer of the Year - 2007

2007-12-13T19:51:00.001-06:00

SeniorNet is happy to name Annie Palacios as Volunteer of the Year for 2007. Thank you Annie for your outstanding service.

(click on the pictures for a larger image).

SeniorNet Volunteer Appreciation Coffee-2007

2007-12-12T16:44:00.001-06:00

A good time was had by all this morning as certificates of appreciation were awarded to SeniorNet of Dallas volunteers at a Volunteer Appreciation Coffee, C. C. Young Retirement Center. About 35 volunteer teachers, coaches and office staff were in attendance.

Click on the picture above to view a slide show of the event.

Merry Christmas and thank you again for volunteering this year!

Welcome To SeniorNet 2008!

2007-12-10T22:59:00.000-06:00

SeniorNet volunteers are looking forward to a great new year. We will be starting 2008 with more class space for students and all new computer hardware. Our classes can now accommodate 9 students!

Classes start next week (January 14) and there are still a few openings. Click HERE to view the schedule. Make a resolution to expand your computer knowledge this year and sign up for classes.

Can't Type? -- Super Typing Lesson

2007-09-24T16:11:00.000-05:00

We ran across this this pretty good web site for practicing your typing on the Internet. Study the finger position chart below and then click on the chart to start the practice session. To see the chart during the practice session just click on Help.

Moving Day At Last!

2007-09-22T13:09:00.000-05:00

A large group of volunteers gathered at C.C. Young on Friday, September 21 to help move the SeniorNet lab to the new facility in the Learning and Cultural Arts Center. The operation went fairly well! We are indebted to C. C. Young for the gift of this wonderful space. We captured the essence of the event in these pictures. Enjoy.

Dallas SeniorNet Graduation Video

2007-08-20T22:23:00.000-05:00

Click on the screen shot above to view the video slideshow of 2006 and 2007 SeniorNet graduations.