Basic computer stuff

[Mrs Seabiscuit]

I am looking for a little help. My mum has recently decided she would like to know her way around a pc a little, now I have taught her little bits but I am after any ideas for simple yet useful things to learn around windows and internet browsing.
I know a lot about computers but I would prefer to teach her something simple yet constructive that is useful for her.

 

[Mrs Seabiscuit]

Is she interested in the learning or in the application of the learning?

Learning

Normally free courses at local adult colleges try one of them?

Nope that is not what I want, she would not be interested in anything like that. I am after things I can teach her but when I try and think of new stuff my mind goes blank.

 

[Mrs Seabiscuit]

Using a spreadsheet and word processor would seem a sensible start to me. Writing letters, tracking finances etc.

Thats fantastic thank you she likes doin paper copies of all her spendin wven a loaf of bread! so I could see if that wiuld work for her thanks dude.

I started my parents off with their internet banking and sending emails. Gave them an insight as to how to use a Internet browser from the desktop, how to navigate websites etc. Emails was a nice one to show them how to avoid spam emails & viruses.

Could always setup a Virtual OS and let her reek havoc!

Thats great thanks a lot virtual OS err for a start I am not sure what that is myself do you mean remote assistance type thing?

 

[Mrs Seabiscuit]

Have you any pics of your mum you can put on here to give us a better understanding of her requirements? err no just no

1. I'd start with the web browser and how to search for information.
2. I'd get her an email address and show her how to send messages through a web based mail client.
3. It's "a lot" of what
4. If you have an old PC, take it apart together to show what components do what and for her not to 'fear' a PC.she only will use a laptop

 

[Mrs Seabiscuit]

I think he means setting up a Virtual Machine on our PC for her to log into and then reek havoc as this will have no adverse affect on your machine

Ah thats great thank you, yeah I just googled it hehe thanks dude.

 

[Mrs Seabiscuit]

Check your local library (if its convenient to access) as they should offer free courses on this

Another person who doesn't read the thread. I have already said that courses are not an option, I am just looking for useful little bits and pieces to teach her. no one ever reads anymore they just skim.

 

[Mrs Seabiscuit]

Above all, show it in the context of stuff she likes. Eg if she likes reading the newspaper, show most of the stuff you learn in the context of "interesting" sites. Videos, do youtube.

Good luck.

Cheers dude! yeah she can do her food shopping but she was amazed she could read newspapers online.
I like to spend as little as possible time with my mum, I can cope with an afternoon a week haha

 

[Mrs Seabiscuit]

No problem, simple payment can be submitted via visiting the link in my sig.

Also a final point. If all she ever is going to be is the most basic of users, would you consider getting her a tablet? I say this because the closed nature of lots of them would mean that there is nothing to go wrong, along with a very intuitive interface. Could save a lot of heartache!

Ahh she has an ipad and she get s all jittery with that! This is the person who thinks that my sister putting a photo on her laptop broke the internet!

 

[Mrs Seabiscuit]

File Management (Copy and Pasting files from one location to another, onto USB drives etc, file management/structure)

I'd say this is pretty important. I'm always shocked at the amount of people that save things and then have no idea where they are. Or just have hundreds or thousands of files in one folder.

Guys this is an old thread dont know why it was bumped.
Crowort thanks that is what I taught her in the end as she like many, downloads copied or whatever and had no idea what happened with it.

 

[Mrs Seabiscuit]

KD thats brilliant I need that image haha