Buying a Computer: Computer vs the Internet

2JOUR Computer Coaching for Seniors Toronto

We are going to have a few articles in the next few weeks on how to buy a computer. There is a lot of gobbledy gook or jargon but we are going to try and simplify the process and hopefully, make it easier for you.

The first thing we are going to discuss is the computer vs the internet.

When you buy a computer, you are not automatically going to be connected to the internet. It is the same for television and a phone. In order to use your phone, you need a provider like Bell or Rogers to be set up and with a television, you need a cable provider or rabbit ears :) to view the channels. The computer and the internet is the same way. You need a provider, Internet Service Provider (ISP), to provide you with the means to connect to the internet.

The computer store can offer you a subscription to a particular ISP, but you can also wait and learn more of what each Internet Service Provider has to offer you and give them a call. We will talk about choosing the right Internet Service Provider in our last installment of this series.

Next week, Karl goes to the mean street of college to buy a computer :).

Recycle Old Electronics

2Jour Computer Coaching for Seniors Toronto

If you are looking for a place to recycle your old computer, then try this website, www.dowhatyoucan.com. You type in your postal code and the material you want to recycle and this website will list all the recycle locations close to you.

Next week, we will have some tips on buying a computer in Toronto.

Canadian Government: People with Disabilities Online

2JOUR Computer Coaching for Seniors Toronto

This is a great place to go if you have accessiblity issues. They have a lot of interesting information like tax benefits and getting financial assistance for home renovation to make your home more accessible. Please, check out the link below.

http://www.pwd-online.gc.ca/pwdh.4m.2@.jsp?lang=eng

Twitter: Annoying but Maybe Useful

2Jour Computer Coaching for Seniors Toronto, Ontario

Karl's cellphone beeped again. It was probably another tweet from Charlie. He missed him and the conversations he had with him in Ottawa, but to follow his dear mad friend on Twitter was, well, insanity. Karl received about 100 tweets a day from Charlie and they were either about a great computer sale or the latest scoop on Céline Dion.

At this point, Karl really hated Twitter and as he entered the Toronto Metro Zoo and discovered that Dwayne the Shark was also on Twitter, he knew that the world was CRAZY.

Twitter, essentially, is a website (www.twitter.com) that allows anyone to sign up and post simple and short messages about anything which are called Tweets. If your Tweets are interesting, then people will want to follow them. Tweets can range from being mundane to being useful like transit cancellations or weather updates and they can be transmitted to your phone as text messages.

Please note, Twitter does not do any verification on their users. This means anyone can assume any identity and their Tweets can be unreliable. So bear that in mind when you follow a particular user. Although, I think Dwayne the shark is on the up and up :).

Here are some interesting Twitter links

2Jour - Tweets from us :)

Red Flag Deals - Tweets about sales within Canada

WestJet

CBC News

Dwayne the Shark - Shark News, why not?

WeFollow.com - Ideas for other Twitter links

Alerts: Power of the Cellphone

2JOUR Computer Coaching for Seniors Toronto

The news from the television or radio can tell you about all the important cancellations like a trip to Fiji cancelled due to snow or the Yonge Sheppard subway line cancelled due to signal malfunctions. 

What if, you are outside and you have no access to television or radio? Wouldn't it be great to know what the status of the subways en route so you can plan accordingly?

In comes alerts. TTC and other services like airlines have set up a system called alerts where they e-mail you any delays to their service. If you have a cellphone, you can get the alert via a text message to your phone.  All you need to do is use the email provided to you by your cellphone provider. Please note, you should find out what your cellphone provider charges for incoming text messages before you consider subscribing for an alert with your cellphone.

To set up alert with TTC go to the TTC Alert Subscription website

To set up an alert with Air Canada go to the Air Canada Mobile Notification

Next we will talk about getting the status of services like TTC using Twitter

YouTube: How to Videos

YouTube is everywhere. It is mentioned constantly, but what is it? Essentially, it is a place where anyone can transfer videos they have made or collected to this website called YouTube and you can watch these videos for free. 

There are many "How To" videos that can help you.  I have included some videos that help with accessibility

Dressing Stick

Bed Ladder

Pick up Reach

Wheel Trans: Being Mobile in Toronto

If it is harder to use the TTC because of mobility issues, then you have another option: Wheel Trans.  You would not have to navigate along icy sidewalks to get to a bus stop because Wheel Trans provides door to door service  All you need to do is book your trip a day before. You can book via phone or via the TTC Wheel Trans Booking page. 

To find out how to register, please go to the TTC Wheel Trans registration page.

Next week we will talk about alerts.

2JOUR is now in Toronto

The hiatus is over. 2Jour has finally moved!!  We are now in the big city of Toronto. Our blog will be updated every week with wonderful computer accessibility tips and resources.  Next issue will focus on Wheel Trans and how to book your next trip online.

Coming soon.. The Accessible Life in Toronto.  A blog about moving around the big city with a stroller and a walker.