First off is a welcome to the forum. A good bunch of folks hang around here.



Four hour long classes seems to be a bit much. Maybe it depends on how much the instructor will be pushing during those four hours. What ever it is it will probably be good for you in the long run. Learn what you can and don't get too upset with the parts that do not concern you.



Learning how to turn on the machine, how to get around the web, how to move forward then backward. How to do emails, add files, add photo's, send with your name hidden, send to more than one at a time. Those things are a few of the basics that we all have had to learn. How to build a web page, how to make Power Point shows, how to build graphic images or cartoons or motion items are not important to all of us. So I don't worry about them at all. Those that do care about these items can take courses on them.



I know how you feel about that phone. I had one that I really liked and the company said I should quite using it as the new phones now had some sort of locater built is so when a 911 call (that is the US emergency call) was made they could find where you were. My new phone is so bloated with features that to me it is a waste of technology and money. I do not do thumb typing cryptic notes to my friends while I am driving so why have such a feature. I do not surf the web with my phone. I have a real camera so why one in my phone. I asked for a phone that only calls other phones and the people at the store thought I was nuts. So I end up with a phone that does all kinds of things, but I only learned how to use it to make a phone call when it was necessary.

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Well when I got my computer I didn't even know how to turn it on--never had anything to do with them b4--I do quite well now--but like everyone--I still have plenty to learn--(about all things) it is really just trial and error--as far as mobile phones go--yes mine is the same these days--I would rather have one that didn't have a camera and email--as to look at the net on the phone costs a lot and I never use it--also never use the camera as I have a camera--but I do use the alarm SMS--etc--just don't be afraid to ask questions--there are NO silly questions.



Also welcome to the forum.

Firstly welcome to the Forum. Maybe you could check out the U3A courses in your area, they cater for new computer users of our age, and are usually taught by seniors, which is not as daunting as a regular computer course. The computer is a wonderful way to keep in touch with family and friends and an enormous source of knowledge.



Re the comments about mobile phones, they call it progress but can anyone remember when we could make a phone call, either from a fixed line phone or a mobile, without having to read the instructions? When I requested a mobile phone that didn't have a camera, internet, SMS, premium SMS, etc. etc. I was told that it would cost me more, so I bought the phone and promptly cancelled all the additional services.

We paid just $59 last week for the cutest little red mobile phone at "The Warehouse"

The only thing it does not have is a camera and we did not want one.......

We also received $10 worth of ph. calls free so the phone really only cost us $49.

We are not tied up to anything as we own the phone and it is good reception for what we want just in case of car trouble really, around the area, as we have a good train service to anywhere we want to go in walking distance

and just in case Peters Mum as she gets older may need us - not yet of course as only 96 but when she gets old she said! and if ever! may have to have a wheelie thingy but certainly not yet.

We will buy $30 credit by cash for a year when the $10 runs out.

We gotta be happy with that.....

Phyl.

P.S. IT DOES HAVE A CAMERA LOL. CHEAP AND GOOD. We were told it did not. so that was a nice surprise

although not fussed about it if it had not had one.

Welcome Mary65. You won't look back when you get the hang of your new laptop. I am nearly 64 and just love my computer. I took a few lessons about 10 years ago and while I certainly don't call myself an expert, I find plenty online to keep my mind active.

I have made a friend in England on Messenger and will visit her next year. My first overseas trip yay!!!

Take lots of notes when in your lessons and practice, practice, practice at home. It won't take you long before you will be "surfing the net".

It is amazing how much you learn online. I couldn't live without my computer now.

Good luck!!!

I agree with Bobagain in thinking a four hour class could lead to concentration overload.



Would it not be better for you Mary65 at half this time? And get some practice in between?



Before I purchased my first computer I borrowed a book from the library called 'Computers for Idiots' (or similar name) and soon found out what all the jargon meant, from there it was all practice with the odd tip from friends.

and soon found out what all the jargon meant, from there it was all practice with the odd tip from friends.

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Yes that what is the hardest to understand--and p[ractice makes perfect---amazing just what you can learn from the net--there are som many interesting sites--

Thanks B frank. I have ordered a book called "Computers for Dummies" which sounds similar to the one you recommended. My latest battle with the computer happened last night when my brother Emailed two pictures of his new grandson. I was quite proud of myself when I thought I had stored it in a folder but I couldn't find any sign of it. I then decided to print a copy of each but couldn't get the printer to work. I eventually found that it wasn't plugged in properly and when it eventually worked it printed out four copies of each. I tried to stop it and ended up turning the printer off. I'm worried to turn it on again in case it starts churning out more pictures.

Ihave been tinkering with computers for well over 10 years now and really enjoy it. Ikeep a loh of all my popular websites and it is now in the thousands.



Technology is faster than a speeding bullet and one needs to keep up with it. I find C/Net and Z/Net great websites.



regards



Tony Roberts Cairns

Mary did you name the folder--as often photos are just numbers--and hard to find--I always send them to a named folder that is easy to see--

(in documents)

Mary65, if you have turned off your printer AND the computer the print jobs have probably been lost, which is what you wanted to do. You might also look into the help files and see how you can stop print jobs on your computer. Often there is a print jobs box on the lower edge of the screen. Click on that and you will see jobs printed, jobs working, and jobs waiting. The print jobs box may have some choice where you can CANCEL THIS JOB or maybe CANCEL ALL JOBS. For me, I sometimes just let the job print out if it is only a handful of pages, as the search for how to kill the jobs might take longer any way.

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