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.

Never Too Old for Computers!

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa Canada

For anyone who has heard the negative voice, "I am too old to learn computers", I want you to shake your fist and shout out, NOOOOOO!!!!! If you have a desire to learn, then you are never too old. People in their nineties with no prior computer experience are e-mailing loved ones, using their computer to see pictures of their grandkids and children and surfing the web. If you find your children too impatient to show you, do not despair. You can find many other people willing to teach you; in the library, in the retirement homes, in community courses and even at 2Jour ;). Stop listening to the negative voice and empower yourself with the computer.


Dedicated to Marjorie

Power of Google: Exchange Rates and much more!!!

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa Canada

José was not a happy man. He thought the computer would make his life easier, provide the information he wanted in a blink of an eye or close to a blink of an eye, but all the clicking and pleading and keyboard pushing got him to places where he did not ask to be. He didn't want to stay in Las Vegas, nor did he want to find a special someone on an online dating website. He wanted to know the current exchange rate of the Canadian dollar that is it, no more no less.

With certain keywords you can use GOOGLE to get the answer you want instantly.

• 1 cad in usd finds out the exchange rate of Canadian dollar in US dollar
  
• 1 inch in cm converts from inches to centimetre
• film ottawa shows what movies are playing in Ottawa
• Ottawa weather shows the current temperature in Ottawa. Unfortunately, the temperature is in farenheit. However, you can convert it to celsius using google.
  26 farenheit in celsius
  

Free Computer: Freecycle, Ottawa Giveaway Day

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa Canada

If you are looking for a computer, how about a used one? You don't need a powerful computer if all you are doing is going on the internet and reading your e-mail.

In fact, there is a chance you can get the computer for FREE. A lot of people are buying the latest computers and do not know what to do with their old ones.

Try asking family and friends, if they know someone who wants to give away their computer. You could also look in Ottawa Freecycle. This is a place where people post, kind of like a classified section in a newspaper, objects that they want to give away, like computers :). And if all else fails, then take advantage of Ottawa Giveaway Day Saturday June 23 2007. On this day people in Ottawa will leave on their curb objects they don't need anymore and anyone who wants it can pick it up. If you miss it this year, keep an eye out for it next year because this is a yearly event.

Happy Father's Day and Ecards

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa, Canada

A great way to wish someone a happy Father's day (this Sunday :) ) is to send an E-card FOR FREE. They are more exciting than normal greeting cards because you can choose from a variety of animation in your card.

There are many websites that allow you to send E-cards. You can just google "free e-cards" to find a list of them. You can also go to Hallmark.

User Accounts can save a Marriage

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa Ontario

The Schmidts argued on everything big or small anywhere, anytime. Charlie never enjoyed visiting them together, but because they were family it was sometimes hard to avoid.

On this particular Sunday, Charlie was drawn to their home not because of the Schmidts company but because of their new computer, a powerful piece of hardware.

"Come in", Maria Schmidt told Charlie flustered as she opened the door to him.

"Darn it Maria, I can't find Internet Explorer. You always move things to where they are not supposed to go", cried John Schmidt to his wife.

"I did not move anything!!! This is just like with your tools. You blame me for moving them and they end up being in your tool chest" Maria yelled back.

"How am I supposed to go on the Internet?!? You must have done something when you were playing Solitare."

"SO NOW I CAN'T PLAY SOLITARE!!! OH AND WHAT..CAN I SIT ON THIS CHAIR OR WILL THIS TOO PREVENT YOU FROM GOING TO YOUR @!!@!%^$%$! INTERNET", screamed Maria.

Normally, Charlie would quietly excuse himself and leave, but he could not take it anymore. For them to argue on the day of their new computer, that anyone would be envious of (including Charlie), was disgraceful.

And so, Charlie shouted at the top of his lungs, "GET A HOLD OF YOURSELVES PEOPLE!!! Use User Accounts!!!!"

For a few minutes a rare moment occurred, the Schmidts were speachless.

When they thought it was safe to speak again, they looked at Charlie timidly and asked in unison, "User Accounts?"

........................


If more than one person in your household is using a computer then it is a good idea to set up user accounts. This way each user can use the computer without interfering with any of the other computer users in your household.

Windows, MAC OSX and LINUX all have the ability to set up these accounts.


On Windows, click on the CONTROL PANEL and click on USER ACCOUNTS.

Writing a Letter or a Document? What Program to Use?

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa Ontario

You want to write a letter or a document but what program do you use?

For most people, Wordpad is sufficient for their writing needs. It has several formatting options that can make your document more effective.

However, if you are are trying to create a document that is more complicated and requires a layout like a resumé or a newsletter then you will need a more powerful program.

If you have Word installed on your computer, then that would be the program to use. It has built-in templates to help you quickly and easily build letters, invitations, newsletters and any other document types.

For those who don't have Word, here are some free alternatives:
OpenOffice

Google Docs

Can't Read Word Documents? Use Word Viewer

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa Canada

"Karl!" Charlie waved enthusiastically as he saw his friend enter Tim Horton's.

As Karl came over, Charlie asked, "Are you in or out?"

"Charlie, what are you talking about?", Karl replied perplexed.

"Didn't you get the document I emailed you about Céline Dion?"

"Well I did, but there were no programs that could view it."

Charlie could not believe his ears. "Karl, you mean to tell me that Word is not on your computer?!? What do you use to write letters or documents?"

"Um (gulp)...wordpad?"

"Oh my gosh man, this is TERRIBLE!!!" Charlie knew that Karl was doomed.

..........

Luckily, not having Word, Powerpoint or Excel on your computer is not the end of the world :).

If you want to read/print Word documents, then you can download for free Word Viewer from the Microsoft site. Microsoft also offers Powerpoint Viewer and Excel Viewer.

Next week we will talk about free alternative programs to Microsoft Word.

Plane Delayed or Cancelled?

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa Canada

You can't wait to go to the Bahamas, but the weather outside looks quite menacing. After all those months planning, is it possible that your flight is canceled?

The easiest way to find out is to go to your local airport's website and check the status of your plane.

For Ottawa it is
http://www.ottawa-airport.ca/

For Toronto it is

http://www.gtaa.com

Watching Canadian TV on the Web Legally.

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa, Canada

Missed an episode of Corner Gas? Luckily, this is not a problem. You can catch your missed episode on the web legally :).

CTV, Global and CBC have started to put episodes of many Canadian shows on their website. Below are links to where you can find them.

CTV Broadband

CBC

Global

Email: Be Careful What You Write

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa, Canada

Ring Ring Ring....

It is 11 o'clock at night and you know there is only one person who would call at this late hour.

"Hi Charlie," you answer.

"Karl, you said you weren't mad at me," Charlie responded.

"I am not mad at you, Charlie. Why do you keep thinking that I am mad at you?"

"Your last email troubled me. You were shouting. WHY WERE YOU SHOUTING?!?"

"Charlie, that is ridiculous! How can you shout through email?"

"Well, your whole email had capital letters. There was not one lower case letter to be found. Words with only capital letters mean one thing: you're shouting. And.. what's up with the exclamation mark? Darn it Karl, my feelings were hurt!!!"

..............


It is very easy to miscommunicate through email because it is only text. It is different when you talk on the phone because you not only have words but you have the tone of voice to help you figure out the message's intent.


Here are some ways you can avoid such miscommunications.

1. Use emoticons. Emoticons are text facial expressions to help portray a sentiment. If you think what you are writing may be taken the wrong way then you should definitely use them. For example:

• :) means happy. The colon are the eyes and the right bracket is the mouth.
• :( means sad. The colon are the eyes and the left bracket is the mouth.

2. Unless your intention is to shout, avoid using all upper case letters in your email and exclamation marks. For example:

• I WENT SHOPPING! - In the email, you are shouting that you went shopping and you sound very angry.
  
• I went shopping. - In the email, you are stating you went shopping and you sound neutral.
  

Hotspots: Surf Anywhere in Canada

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa, Canada


If you have a computer device that has Wifi like a notebook or a cellphone, then you can connect to the internet wirelessly in places that are designated Hotspots.

Here is a website that lists the Hotspots in Canada.

The Case of the Missing E-mail: Sorting

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa, Canada

Ring ...Ring... Ring...

You pick up the phone and it's Charlie.

"Karl, please forgive me!!!! I was going to tell you about the shirt..HONEST!!!!"

"Um Charlie what are you talking about?" you ask.

"Uh.. Nothing," Charlie replied, "You're not mad at me, Karl, are you?"

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"You haven't E-mailed me in DAYS. Karl!!!!!! DAYS!!!!!"

"Ohhh that's cause I don't know where my new E-mail appears. It used to be at the bottom of the E-mail list but now it shows up all over the place. I swear I have a virus."


"Karl, I don't think it's a virus. You are not sorting your E-mail by date."

................
At the top of the E-mail list there are 3 columns:

• From - The name of the person who sent you the E-Mail
  
• Subject - The subject of the E-Mail.
  
• Received - The date you received your E-mail.
  

Normally, your E-mail is sorted by the date you Received your E-mail in ascending order. This is why new E-mail appears at the bottom of the list.

If you click with your mouse on the Subject column, then your mail is sorted by Subject. Your new E-mail will appear based on the sorting order of the subject.

If you click with your mouse on the From column, your new E-mail will appear based on the sorting order of the sender's name

To go back to sorting your E-Mail by date (new E-mail appearing at the bottom of the list):

1. Click with your mouse on the Received column.
   
2. If the sorting order is descending, click with your mouse on the Received column again to change the sorting order to ascending.

Avoid Family Feuds through Scanning

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa, Canada

Normally when you come by to pick Vera up, she greets you with a warm welcoming smile, but today she acknowledges your presence with a grunt leaving you at the doorway confused.

"Well come in..." Vera shouts from the living room impatiently.

"What's wrong dear?" you ask timidly trying to think back to all your past actions that may have pitted Vera against you.

"Whats WRONG?!!! Do you not pay attention to anything I say?"

"Um uh.." you stumble on the words knowing that this will not end well.

"Karl, my sister Celine is coming over. I told you about her. She has the sticky fingers when it comes to pictures," Vera replies.

"S-sticky fingers?" you ask gingerly.

"She steals my pictures!! She pokes around the house looking for albums and pockets a whole page worth. We can't leave until I find a good hiding place for my albums," Vera replies flustered.

"Celine has a computer and an E-mail account?" you ask.

"Yes.. but why Karl?"

"Vera, I have at home something like a photocopier. It's called a scanner. You can use it to make a photocopy of your old pictures and store it on your computer. How about we photocopy or scan your old pictures and E-mail them to Celine? She may not need to steal ever again."

.......

Scanning your old photos not only helps to preserve pictures but also gives you the opportunity to share them with your family.

Happy Holiday

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa Canada

We, at 2Jour, want to wish you a happy holiday. Our next post will start again in January.

Here are the 2Jour posts for 2006

Finding a Doctor in Ontario Canada
Searching for Symptoms on the Web
Getting used to the Mouse
Finding a Web Browser for Blind/Low Vision
Finding Websites for Blind/Low Vision
E-mail: Is it on my Computer?
E-mail: Is this from my Bank?
E-mail: Does my E-mail have a virus?
Using a Joystick as a Mouse

Great Canadian Deals

Computer Coaching for Seniors Ottawa Canada

It's Christmas and this means the stress to buy something is upon us. A great website to help us Canadian shoppers find great deals is Red Flag Deals . The deals range from Electronics to Home and Garden.