Our Winter Schedule

Honoring our Volunteers

Computer Club Honors Volunteers

   The Computer Club of Rossmoor is about to begin its 20^th year. Simply put, this club has introduced thousands of residents to personal computers. How did this happen?

   First, nothing like this happens without people and those taking care of the club’s business are all volunteers.

   It began in earnest with the late Al Halpern who somehow knew that personal computers would change everyone’s world, even seniors.

   Halpern’s plaque in the Computer Center at the Gateway Clubhouse warmly describes him in the following way: “Al used his skills, extraordinary intelligence and boundless generosity to encourage seniors to use computers to improve their mental activity and to expand their communication with friends and relatives”.

   The interest in PC’s grew and grew until Halpern’s astuteness recognized the need for a highly competent and deeply committed associate to assume the duties of president of the club. In 1997 that person was Leonard Krauss who remains in that position to this day. Halpern continued as a very active chairman of the board.

   The untimely passing of Halpern in 2003 placed a heavy burden on Krauss, but without any complaint Krauss has carried on initiating and overseeing a number of changes all done with skill, calmness and a vision benefiting seniors.

   Krauss voluntarily became the leader every good organization needs in order to prosper. His dedication to this club is incalculable.

   Although many people have contributed to this growth, and it’s really difficult not to be able to mention all of them, one really stands out. It is Marie Klos. Willing and able to take on any task and do it well, Klos was a treasure lost by the club in her passing in 2009.  

   There is a plaque in the Computer Center describing Klos’ many contributions to the club. It says: “You helped start the club in 1993 and since then your efforts and many skills have helped the club to grow and teach thousands of seniors to use computers”.

   This is the time to remember how selfless and generous all volunteers are with their knowledge and time. These are responsible people devoting their time with one goal in mind: to help seniors not only become computer literate, but to have a life-expanding experience via the Internet.

   This is volunteering in its purest form. There is no compensation or self-aggrandizement. It’s just one group of seniors generously helping others – with both benefiting.

   Now let’s turn to the generations following Halpern, Krauss and Klos. The club invites these people, many of whom are relatively new to Rossmoor (and popularly known as “Boomers”), to become volunteers in this club. 

   Computer literacy is likely to be common with this group and with the aging of current helpers the participation of these people is essential to the continued success of the club.

   It all comes down to this. The club is about giving back one’s expertise and time. It’s not difficult work and it’s not even time consuming for those that don’t want it to be. Please contact the club at 280-3984 or call the Computer Center at 947-4527 and leave a message for a club officer to call.

   Finally, this article includes another small, but important, request. Please take a moment to thank a club volunteer. What they do, they do for you.

  

Truth in Jornalism

Computer Club Looks for Truth in Journalism

   With the election over, now may be a good time to address the matter of truth in journalism. This is not an account of who is biased. It’s an attempt to help the reader use the Internet to choose those sources of information on current affairs that can be relied on to report information accurately.

   The November issue of The Costco Connection describes the steady decline of the print media as a reliable source for accuracy. The same applies to much of radio and TV. This observation is not likely to surprise anyone. However, what about the Internet?

   It’s not that the Internet is the only place to find the truth. It isn’t. However, the chances of finding what is factual, and what may not be, are better with the Internet and here is why.

  Even though the reader has never had so much information – as well as misinformation – at the fingertips, an alert reader can construct what John McManus, the author of the article, describes as “Your Own Truth Filter”.

   This process starts, according to McManus, with sorting fact from fiction. Does what is written pass the smell test? Who wrote the article? Something from a political party must be supported with evidence. Are the facts correct and are any left out? Writing something doesn’t mean it’s accurate.

   Next is the source. Is there a conflict of interest?  If a legislator at any level supports a position, it’s important to know why. Does the journalist ask the question and is the question answered? Again, the Internet will often disclose connections that reveal a conflict of interest.

   What was the motivation for the article? There is nothing wrong with editorial pages. These by definition are opinions expressed and a wise reader knows that. The problem occurs, however, when writers let political bias bleed into a news section. This should make the reader cautious of what is written.

   This is apparent, for instance, when a headline misrepresents the content of the article or when the article itself bends the news by not offering enough evidence to support what is written - or not including contrary information that’s on record.

   Headlines, by the way, are seldom written by the author of the article. Space often makes this unworkable. Others are given this job and some are capable of getting it wrong.

   Obviously, there is some work involved here, but a self-constructed truth filter developed by using the Internet will sort out incorrect, poorly reasoned and biased information provided by the media.

   Here are some websites to visit. First, these checks facts: www.factcheck.org; www.truthorfiction.com; www.snopes.com. Others can be found by going to Google and there are pros and cons on each.

   Second, true objectivity seems to be in the eyes of the beholder. It’s easy enough to define, but opinions differ widely as to when it can be applied. So, here again is the Internet to help.

   Test the media, not to see what points are agreeable, but how many facts are presented, how they are supported and who presents them accurately.

   There is a quote from Thomas Jefferson:  “If a book be false in its facts, disprove them; if false in its reasoning, refute it. But for God’s sake, let us freely hear both sides, if we choose.”

   The Internet is there to help everyone to do just that. The Computer Club of Rossmoor offers Internet classes on a regular basis. Check the class schedule at the Computer Center at the Gateway Clubhouse.

 

To comment on this article - follow the directions on the right of this screen.

Warning on computer disposal

Computer Club Warns those Residents Disposing of Computers

    As the holidays approach it’s likely that new computers and other tech devices will be under the tree. This discussion is not about those items. It’s about what happens to the memory in the old computers.

    For example, it’s not unusual for grown children to pass to their parents computers that are perfectly functional, but no longer needed because new ones will replace them.

   Here’s the point. Most people know that before a personal computer is given away, donated or recycled some thought must be given to what happens to the data on the hard drive.

   There can be a lot of personal information on that drive that one may not want anyone else to see. It’s important to remove all of it. The question is how best to do that?

   Suggestions abound and some depend on where the old PC is headed. If it’s recycling there are some people that enjoy removing the hard drive and using it for target practice. Others suggest driving nails through the platters. Still others pound them with a sledge hammer. These appear to be folks that enjoy the vicarious benefits associated with brute force. They are, however, acceptable options.

   Burning the hard drive is suggested, too, but it’s not a good idea. Toxic materials are involved in this process and breathing the fumes is dangerous. The same applies to soaking it in chemicals.

   The club’s computer guru, Bill Hammond, has a suggestion. He recommends MariusSoft Disk Scrubber. It’s free and can be found by going to Google and typing the name. Here is a quote from the website: “By using the Disk Scrubber, you can ensure that deleted data is written over and thus no longer recoverable by disk recovery software. This is a must when selling or donating your used hard drive.”

   Finally, with regard to the replacement of a hard disk by any repair shop, always ask for the old disk back.

 If you would like to comment on this article, please follow the directions on the right of this screen.

Changes in Education

Computer Club Looks at Changes in Education

By Jim Bradley

   This article points out what may well be the changes coming in America’s educational system. Three factors led to addressing this subject.

   The first was a small book written by the club’s president, Leonard Krauss, who argues convincingly that computers should be an essential part of almost every classroom.

   Krauss explains how students can select different paths to pursue depending on their interests and how this can be done while all are taking the same class.  Krauss’ ideas are interesting and carefully presented. Those interested could speak with Krauss.

   The second was an article written in May of this year by Larry Magid and published in the Contra Costa Times. The title is “It’s Time for Technology to Move to the Head of the Class” and the first question asked was “who might disrupt education just as technology has changed other industries such as the music and newspaper businesses”?

   Having acquired three university degrees, including a doctorate in education, Magid earns the attention of those interested in education at any level.

The point made is for schools to utilize computers intelligently by letting students learn beyond what is offered in the classrooms.

   An example is www.kahnacademy.com. Look at this site to read how it is now possible for anyone with an Internet connection to receive an education free of charge. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has supported this non-profit program.

   At the university level Magid mentions that Harvard, MIT, Stanford and Yale, to just name a few, offer free courses online, as well. 

   Look at www.learningjar.com, too. This is a site that permits anyone to validate and store what a person has learned whether it be online or from an offline experience.

   The third factor was Tom Barnidge’s column in the October 15 issue of the same paper. The title was “New Model for Learning Puts Kids on Right Path”.  It describes in some detail what has been done for five years in the Antioch Unified School District.

   The purpose in Antioch is to have students select those programs that meet their interests. Pathway academies are set up for what appear to be three high schools in the district with each school concentrating on several specific pathways.

   For example, Antioch High offers pathways in engineering; leadership and public service; media and technology; and environmental studies. The other two schools offer performing arts; law and justice; business technology; and the medical field. About 50% of the students choose these pathways with the other students taking the high school’s traditional curriculum.

   Community input is substantial, too. Barnidge explains as follows: “Engineering students have worked with Caltrans officials to build scale model bridges”. “Law and justice students listened to attorneys explain legal briefs on pending cases and then watched judges hear arguments”. “Medical students are ‘assigned’ diseases and required to prescribe treatments”.

   The column paints a bright future for high school students. It offers them the opportunity to plan for their future by giving them experience in matters that interest them.

   It’s the club’s belief that changes in education are essential and whatever transformations evolve will most certainly include computers.

Tip of the Week

  Currently the club’s free house call team is temporarily inactive. Why? It needs more volunteers interested in helping others correct software problems.  Those interested can drop by the Computer Center at Gateway and leave a name and number. Bill Hammond will call.

 

What are your views on computers in education?  Please follow the directions to the right of the screen and COMMENT your opinion.

Upcoming Classes

COMPUTER   CLASS   SCHEDULE

through  March  2013

 

Beginner-1	201 202 203	Tu/Th Tu/Th Tu/Th	10am-12 10am-12 10am-12	Nov 27-Dec 13 Jan 8-24 Mar 5-21	Barnes Olsen Doherty
Beginners-2	206	Tu/Th	10am-12	Feb 5	Olsen
Facebook Special	207 208	Tu/Th Tu/Th	10am-12 10am-12	Oct 23-30 Nov 1-8	Barnes Barnes
Internet & Email	211 212 213	Tu/Th Tu/Th Tu/Th	1pm-3:30 1pm-3 1pm-3	Nov 27-Dec 11 Jan 8-24 Mar 5-21	Olsen Olsen Doherty
Word	216	Tu/Th	1pm-3	Feb 5-21	Barnes
Excel	220	Tu/Th	1pm-3	Oct 23-Nov 8	Olsen
Photo Elements-1	232	Mon/Wed	1pm-3	Oct 22-Nov 7	Olsen
Photo Elements-2	233	Mon/Wed	1pm-3:30	Nov 14-Dec	Olsen
Photo Elements-3	234	Mon/Wed	1pm-3:30	Jan 7-23	Olsen
Digital Photo-1	235	Mon/Wed	1pm-3	Jan 28-Feb 13	Olsen

NOTE:  The “Facebook Special” classes are three sessions, 2 hours each, and cost $20.

 

Special – something new - open lab time

Comp Lab/Project 221     Weds 10am-12       Jan 30-Mar 20        Olsen

     Computer Lab/Project (#221):  2-hr “Drop in” sessions; cost is $5 per session.

 

Q & A Workshop	240	Mondays	10am-12	Sep 24 Oct 8,22 Nov 5  Dec 3 Jan 14, 28 Feb 4, 11 Mar 11,25	Nielsen
Beginner Prep and Mouse Class	241	Mondays	10am-12	Sep 10 Nov26  Jan 7  Mar 4	Krauss

If you wish to comment, as questions, or offer suggestions for future classes, please follow the directions to the right of you screen on how to comment.

upcoming seminars

SEMINARS

Up to March 2013

10am—12pm

 

253 Make a movie using Windows Movie Maker  Learn how to create a movie from your images, complete with transitions, titles and sound.  Store your movie and share it with others.	Oct 10  Olsen
254 Protect your data – copy and back it up Save your data, protect your data in your computer, and in other places, other devices, even in the “cloud.”	Oct 24 Olsen
255 Email secrets, attachments, and more Use email to send messages,                  pictures, and documents quickly, efficiently, and securely. Learn new ways.	Nov 7 Olsen
256 How to find anything, or anyone, on the Internet The Internet is a great source for information about anything in the world, most of it is reliable.	Nov 14 Barnes
258 Facebook is popular, easy and fun to use Facebook is the very popular, easy way to stay in touch with friends, relatives, and anyone. Many millions of people use it every day, for many different purposes.	Dec 5 Barnes

If you have any questions concerning the seminars listed or would like to suggest a new seminar topic, please comment this post.  Directions are to the right of your screen.

 

Going Wireless

Our club payed for wireless (WiFi) in the Redwood Room as a demonstration, and after some months Rossmoor agreed to take it on and to extend it to a few other sites in some meeting rooms.

Now there is discussion of extending it throughout Rossmoor.  There is little hope of free wireless for all but it has been suggested that it be done on a mutual pay basis.

What do you think? Would you be willing to pay for a share for wireless for all?

TO JOIN IN AND COMMENT

At the bottom of each topic (section) there is a line:
"Posted by Rossmoor Computer club at (time) # comments".

Just put your cursor on the "# comments" and click.

Up will come a "Post a Comment" box, for your comments.

Type your comment.

Choose a profile or if you don't have one, use Anonymous, but please add your name in your comment.

Then simply click Post.

Games Games Games

Let's face it - personal computers were origonally game machines and we still use them for games a good deal of the time.

What is your favorite game?
  Is it a great old standard like Solitaire?
  Is an online game played with friends like Scrabulous?
  How about Facebook games like Farmville - ever tried it?

Do you think computer games can be addicting?
  Have you ever been hooked on one?

Let's hear from you on the games you play.

Let's talk clouds

 

As you may know, much of the computer world is going to the clouds.  A cloud service is simply a service that stores your information for you on some large companies gigantic computer. 
Some folks use cloud services to as a backup for their home computers.  Some use these services to store their music or books files so they do not have to have their entire libraries on their devices all the time.

How do you feel about using cloud services - safe or not?

Do you use a cloud service and in what capacity?

Remember directions on how to comment are on the right side of this screen.