SENIORS AND THE BOOMER GENERATION
ON COMING OF AGE:
Citizens of The Next Generation and the making of The Elder Nation.

"Those of us with Less -Than- Perfect Sight or Hearing are a growing population. It's no exaggeration. Given time and health to age. Eye sight dims and hearing fades. You too will join our ranks, as well as your Generation. Together, we are destined to become citizens of the coming Elder Nation."

THE TYPEWRITER GENERATION MEETS THE COMPUTER REVOLUTION
This is the Quest!

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH AN OLD PC?

Old typewriters are good for fishing. They make really great boat anchors! One of the obvious answers is to use older PCs to make the generational transition between typewriting and word processing. If you were a member of the typewriter generation:

1. You probably still have a typewriter, somewhere.
2. You probably still know how to use it.
3. You probably know that sources for ribbons and repairs are disappearing.
4. You probably don't use it much, because all it can do is type.

OLDER COMPUTERS ARE AFFORDABLE:

While most typewriters are now worthless; new PCs can be expensive. Between the two, older PCs can be a bargain. Starting with PCs 386, 486, and early Pentium, you will find that an older PC will cost less than your last typewriter purchase. Which may be less than your last typewriter repair bill.

COMPUTERS ARE VERSITILE:

Remember when typewriters had to be manually preset for headers, footers, fonts, pitch, and margins etc., before typing a word? Computers are far more versitile and can be automatically set, or preset, for wide variety of program tasks, functions and applications.

This goes far beyond just typing. Rather than just a typewriter, computer Word Processing programs can take your text to a higher level through Desktop Publishing.

The inclusion of Graphics and Pictures, Paint and Photographic Processing for graphic illustration can enhance to your text. Desk Top Publishing layouts for home and office publication; provide Print Shop Quality reproduction through a Lazer Quality Printer. Combine your Desk Top Publishing, with Graphics Processing, and SpreadSheet Bookkeeping. Your written word now has the power of a multimedia presentation.

COMPUTERS ENHANCE:

Unlike a typewriter your computer can provide you with functions to enhance your abilities. Spell and Grammer Check are automated. Proof Reading Text can be done with Screen Reading Synthesized Speech. Image and Screen Magnification can be used when the print is too small.

COMPUTERS ASSIST:

Just as computers are used in Office Automation, there are assistive programs for every disability. Computers can read and speak to you. As well as speak for you. Personal assistant [appointment secretary] programs can organize and remind you through your daily schedule.

With Voice Dictation and Voice Control you can "Talk" your way through letters, correspondence, and any computing function. All without typing, touching, or seeing, a keyboard or mouse. Computers technology can now assist the physically impaired. Automating assistive and mobility devices. Even the automation and control of the household environment.

ONLINE COMPUTERS COMMUNICATE:

Communications Around The World, by Email Text, as well as Voice and Video Transmission. You can have a Video Phone today. You only pay your Local Internet Service Provider fixed monthly fee. Remember, long distance through the Internet is free.

ONLINE COMPUTERS EDUCATE:

Online resources from the internet are a treasure chest for personal research and self education. Synthesized Sound Composition and music playback. Tutorials, training, and instructions. Electronic Books and Reference Texts, from Dictionaries to Encyclopedias. Online access to newspapers, magazines, and periodicals. Online direct access around the world to the Arts and Science, Libraries, Laboratories, Museum, Galleries and Collections.

COMPUTING THE SLIPPERY SLOPE OF THE LEARNING CURVE:

Even if you never used a computer; but know how to type. You know how to use a computer keyboard. If you don't type, or don't know computing, you can learn from free tutorials offered on the Internet. Take your time and teach yourself.

EXPERIENCE BASED LEARNING

Computers are the ideal platform for self-taught, self-paced, individualized teaching and learming applications. Remember, personal experience is the foundation of individual knowledge. Many children come to school able to compute with more ability than their parents or teachers. The best come self -trained. Not because they are smarter, and not because they are better trained.

Rather, they have taken their personal time to Explore and Experience Computing by Trial -and- Error. Children are willing to try, and try again, until they know the process, procedures, and solutions. This type of in depth computer self-training provides the ability to address and answer most "What If" questions from their own direct personal experience. All it takes is time, and the learning follows.

COMPUTING THE FUTURE:
LIKE IT, OR NOT!

Using a computer can be easier than programming your VCR. With the advent of WebTV the Computer and Television are coming together. Soon your computer will be your television and VCR.

SENIOR ADULTS ON THE WEB AND NET:

Some of the most popular uses by Seniors computing on the Internet.
1. Geneology Research
2. Publishing Family History or Newsletter
3. Antiques and Collectibles
4. Paint and Photo Processing
5. Historic Research
6. Trains, Great Ships, Planes, Air Ships, Automobiles
7. Military History and Firearms
8. Do It Yourself Projects
9. Listening To E-Texts, Magazines, E-Books.
10. Talking And Conferencing World Wide.

---

Sources And Resources

---

* Senior Computing *
FamilyPC's Guide to Senior Computing High tech toys are not just for kids anymore. From playing games, to desktop publishing, to staying in touch with long-distance family members, more and more seniors are finding themselves plugged in.
http://home.zdnet.com/familypc/content/970411/cover/cover.html

* Technology & Senior Citizens *
Technology & Senior Citizens By Donald S. Teel In 1995 SeniorNet, underwritten by a grant from the Intel Corporation, conducted a survey of senior adults which was designed to ascertain the degree of ownership and use of personal computers among senior citizens. http://www.sunliving.com/seniortech.html

* Senior Information Page *
Explore the Internet Here are the Internet Addresses of sites on the World Wide Web that may hold special interest for Midlife and Older Web Users. American Association of Retired Persons: AARP Guide to Internet Resources Related to Aging.
http://www.hookup.com/senior.htm

* Seniorline *
Online magazine for senior citizens.
http://www.seniorline.com/

* Computer Forum for Senior Citizens *
The Forum On computers, software, and the Internet for Seniors.
http://seniors-site.com/computer/cpuforum.html

* Software specifically for Senior Citizens or Caregivers *
Software Specifically for Seniors or Caregivers.
http://seniors-site.com/computer/software.html">

* Computers & The Internet for Senior Citizens *
Category Contents. Technology for Senior Citizens. Computer Index. Bulletins. Forum. Software.
http://seniors-site.com/frames/computer.html

* Senior Citizens Basic Computer Course *
Document last modified Index. Review of Previous Class. What is Windows? Run Programs-Old Windows. Run Programs Windows 95. Run File Manager, Windows. etc.
http://www.nacnet.org/presentation/class2.htm

---

THE SUPERADAPTOID REVIEW:

The SuperAdaptoid Review Column is dedicated to those first time, non-technical, users of Adapted Computers and Assistive Technology. As they experience a very new world of human relationship with machine technology.