Introduction - Computing is for everyone

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My name is Keith Paterson. If you have any questions related to computer problems or this website please email me by clicking HERE.
Although I will do what I can to help, I give no guarantees and stress that you must take responsibility for changes you make to your computer.

I am especially keen to promote the use of tablets, which most older people find much easier to use. See help39.htm

The proportion of over 75s in the UK who are connected to the internet more DOUBLED between 2011 and 2022

I continue to encourage older people to get connected and will do so until I drop !

Commendations :

From Ian, who I just helped with a virus problem 
"Hello again,  Just realised that I'm now a multi computer silverhair. A tablet for quick browsing, email checking, listening to radio, etc, Chromebook for documents, photo and video editing and old laptop for scanning and printing. Would never have thought I'd have got this far when I bought your little book all those years ago! What a great buy!"

"Mr Paterson is the most helpful man I know. He will try and solve your computer/laptop/ipad problem if he can... his web site is most helpful for anything you want to know and he keeps it up to date on a wide range of things ....if you have any tips on computers/laptops/iPads let him know he will print them for others to see .....I wish him luck in all he does" . Dolly.B.

"As a senior citizen I often find I need help and/or advice on matters ranging from “my PC is playing up” to financial or life style. Whilst I could pose a suitably worded question to Google I don’t do that as I am daunted by the 3 million or so alternate sources. Instead I go to Silverhairs where I am bound to solve the question I need answering. Silverhairs is an excellent source of information for folks of any age".  David L.

Back in the mists of time I was voted National Internet Champion by AgeUk, then later I was honoured by the National Digital Conference to be awarded the title of Digital Leader for my work in helping older people with their computing.  I am firmly committed to the philosophy of getting as many people on line as possible.  At the conference I was asked my opinions and you can see what I said by clicking HERE

AgeUK Internet Championship. I was pleased to be chosen along with Brenda O'Mulloy as joint winners. I think it was partly because of my age and my Silverhairs website. Martha Lane Fox and June Whitfield (RIP) were there as strong supporters of the campaign to persuade more of the 5 million older people still not on line to "Have a go". I was honoured to be presented with my award by June.  Now, the world is a poorer place without June.   

Martha Lane Fox has been elevated to the House of Lords for her work in the promotion of the use if the Internet, especially among older people.She is on the board of numerous internet related organisations.

If You want to help people with computing Age UK may help See Digital Buddy

The battle goes on to get more older people on line and, hopefully, keep them connecting ! The following old BBC video is as relevant today as it was then: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27577143 Internet Training would help alleviate lonliness article.  I know, I know !

My Silverhairs site is dedicated to help older people with their computing, whether it is problems with their software (programs) or hardware (e.g. the computer and printer).  The site has developed over the last 20 years and is an accumulation of all the things that I have found useful or investigated on behalf of other silver surfers.  

So why do I do it ? Well, it is a great hobby for an 91 year old but it is wonderful to get messages from people who I have pointed in the right direction when they have had a serious computer problem.

I am not alone.  See the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCR64pMCfAg&feature=player_embedded

Figures from the Office of National Statistics show an encouraging trend. Although 98.6%, of younger people (7.16 million) use the net, the largest fall in people who have never used it was among those aged 75 and over, where there has been a significant drop in non-user figures. I believe that the popularity of TABLET computers has been a great help in this respect.. It is a pity that getting on line and the monthly cost of the connection will still be putting many off. Once they commit to that they are hooked.

There is not much good we can say about the pandemic but it HAS proved that the internet is essential for business, shopping and the avoidance of lonliness. Mental stress would have been much worse for many people without it.

Recent statistics from Ofcom show that thethe number of households withount internet access is down to about 1.6 million (6%). Personally, I think the number is much greater.

And here is a message an 83 year old wrote to DigitalUnite, one of the main supporters of training for older people

"Are you bored, lonely, and unable to get out and about much? Maybe you should consider getting a computer, I did, and now I can communicate with people all over the world, get my shopping delivered whenever I choose, go into to a chat room where it doesn’t matter if you are a bit deaf (you don’t have to keep saying ‘pardon’ ).I bought most of my Christmas presents on-line, mostly cheaper than in the shops and delivered within a few days, (no heavy shopping to carry).
If you have a digital camera you can transfer your photos and print them or save them to a disc, you can even look at them on TV. If you have friends or relatives abroad you can chat to them face to face and send them photos within a few minutes of taking them, and if you are really keen on photography you can edit your photos, make calendars and even make your own videos.
Personally the part I enjoy most is chatting to my friends on-line, I have friends all over the UK, as well as in Spain, America, Australia and in fact all over the world, we exchange views on different subjects and are there for each other through the bad and the good times, I had a fantastic 80th birthday party down in Paignton with about 20 of my friends from all over the country, its amazing how you feel you have known them for years once you meet up. We exchange news and ideas on craft materials as a few of us like to make greeting cards, (we can make the inserts or even the whole card on our computers) we talk about our families and our problems, its absolutely great being there for each other.
If you prefer sending letters rather than e mails (electronic mail) you can type them and print them out, very handy if your handwriting has deteriorated over the years.
These are just a few of the things you can do,. You will find other things as you go along. It's never ending; you can even play games on your computer.
Oh, I almost forgot, if I want information about anything, I just go to Google, type in a keyword, (health, travel, gardening) anything at all and there you are, all there at your fingertips, brilliant!  I also attended classes up to last August when I passed the ECDL exam, not bad at 83 years old".

Age UK) (click on it) produce various books such as  "How to be a Silver Surfer",  "Computing for Beginners", "Everyday Computing" as well as a number of other useful publications.

One disabled person wrote "When I use my computer, I can forget my disabilities and concentrate solely on my capabilities. Instead of staring out of the window watching the world go by without me, I can travel, shop and go to the cinema all in the same day. Now that's what I call progress."

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/ is a BBC site in cooperation with Ability.net and shows how to get the best out of the net, even for the disabled. For instance it allows people with motor impairments to read broadsheet-quality news on news.bbc.co.uk without having to turn broadsheet pages, allows visually impaired people to access Delia Smith's recipes in big print on bbc.co.uk/food; allows Deaf and hard of hearing people to "listen" to the Archers via transcripts on bbc.co.uk/archers. In fact it covers blind, deaf, loss of limbs, dyslexia and speech recognition.

For a good article on getting a new computer I have written a page on buying a computer if you click Here

But the original reasons for setting up this site were :

1. I have 40 years experience with personal computers  See my page on early computing HERE
2. I believe that there are many older people out there who are keen to use computers but who would like some sympathetic help from someone who understands their situation.
3. I also believe that there are good reasons why older people WANT to get involved.
4. What is more, many older people have the time to dedicate to computing and also often have relatives or friends who live a long way away and with whom they would like to keep in touch by E-mail or by chat + video programs
5. Mind you, comments like this do help "I've just spent a good hour on your site......its brilliant!!!! (I am familiar with Fred Langa and am pleased to see that you are too). I'll be forwarding the link to all my silver surfer friends."          
   "I came across your site a few months ago and I must say it's the best 'oldies' site on the web. It contains vast amounts of information, written in plain English, that I can understand (mostly). Many thanks for all the work you put in."
   
   My wife thought I was a cyber junky.And couldn't understand why I spent time on this until....
6. she wants a funny greeting card
7. she wants me to get household, car and holiday insurance (got all three)
8. and write a letter about that microwave that just went wrong (under guarantee)
9. or a holiday
10. or scan and print a photo A4 size as a birthday gift (before the post goes!)
    
11. or check on the latest bank statement in case someone used our credit card (they did and we stopped the delivery of the furniture)
    
12. or do a title for her videos - she is good at video editing.
13. or buy a washing machine with £50 off - we did
14. or email all the people she forgot to send Christmas cards to.
15. or look up a medical condition, order a prescription
    
16. or to Skype/phone/Meet/ those relatives in Brisbane - 30 minutes, clear as a bell and at no cost.
    
17. or look up the meaning of antidisestablismentarianism or the whereabouts of Llanfairpwllgwyndrobwllandisiliogogoch
18. or do a map and email it to visitors.
19. or tax the car.
20. or what is on in London and buy tickets.........
     
    But when she got hold of an iPad there was no stopping her !

Since the Internet really got underway the number using it worldwide had risen to over 5 billion!

Of the 5 billion, 45% of whom were in Asia

Wikipedia says between 53% and 86% of populations use the internet. 

In a survey by Age Concern (now AgeUK) and Microsoft, most over 50's said that the Internet had made a positive difference to their lives, with e-mail being voted the most important function by 90 percent of the group. 45% said health sites were important. Check out my Health Site Page page for health site links. Another survey showed that 62% of the over 55's surveyed used e-mail to keep in touch with their children. Lately many other methods of communicating are being used. Most can be used over any distance and, if you have a Wifi Connection without any extra charge. E.g. Messenger, Viber, Whatsapp and the various video programs which have blossomed : See HERE

So, if you have a computer problem, do not hesitate to let me know.  If I do not have an answer I may very well know someone who has, or I will search the net for you. Usually an answer can be found.  So read on! And, if you want to get in touch with me click  Here

USING A COMPUTER IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY

Be My Eyes App and volunteers help blind people  This is an app that is now being used by half a million volunteers who can be called by blind people using thie smart phone or tablet .  Se the BBC video for a fuller explanation  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-39056979

1. For people with poor vision I suggest that the EASIEST way (on a PC) is to make the text larger by holding down the Ctrl key and pressing the + key. To reduce it press Ctl and the - key You may find that the setting remains even after you have shut down. Press Ctl + Zero (at the top) to return the page to normal size. Alternatively, use CTL and a scroll wheel on a mouse.
2. OR you can change the size and style of web page type. In Internet Explorer click Tools, Internet Options, Fonts and also View, Text size.
3. With Start, Settings, Control Panel, Accessibility Options you can experiment with the Display Settings and High Contrast. The shortcut to turn this on or off is LEFT ALT+LEFT SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN.
4. Internet Explorer  has a zoom option on the bottom right of each website screen.
5. In addition Windows provides a magnifier which is turned on by going to Start, Run and typing Magnify and clicking OK. Text on 'Tablets' can be made larger by 'spreading' the text with two fingers
6. You can try setting the screen resolution no higher than 800 x 600. Right click a space on the desktop, Properties, Settings and move the slider to the left. Everything will be bigger.
7. Windows and all Browsers have Speech Recognition programs. See Windows Key + U then 'Using the PC without a mouse or keyboard.. Start by printing the list of commands. It can even be used to open and run programs.
8. Windows also has an on-screen keyboard, which can be operated with mouse clicks or even by using one key or a joystick. It even has a 'hover' mode (instead of click)
9. I am very deaf but find that speech on an iPad (text to speech or other speech) clearer than a TV or radio.
   
10. To make text larger on an iPad, look at Settings, Keyboard or Accessibility
    

It is suggested the blind and partially sighted people should get a page reader. Later Windows and tablets have a tolerably good 'narrator' with adjustable voices, pitch and speed. Or you can download one from www.browsealoud.com (now called Reachdesk) or a new one called Thunder from www.screenreader.net  And, if you use Firefox as your browser take a look at http://www.firevox.clcworld.net/about.html, the developer of Fire Vox, the screen reader for Firefox.
For this reason all graphics on this site have alternative text, if you hover the mouse over a picture.

Incidentally, Audio Description (AD) - an extra commentary describing body language, expressions and movements - may be available on digital TV and in some theatres and cinemas.

P.S. Glasses for blind people. New technology will allow blind people to wear glasses which will tell wearers (audibly) what they are looking at. Facial recognition software will tell them who they are meeting (and a lot more about them... their kids names etc !)  It could read a paper, tell them the number of a bus and how many empty seats. It is expected they will be available by 2016 and could be included in phone contracts.

A severely handicapped friend communicates with a small machine which speaks the text he taps in.  He can, of course, also use email

ALSO: Another amazing tool to help people unable to speak.  See a BBC article at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/disability-35705489

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