Basic computer stuff

Mrs Seabiscuit · 17 Apr 2013 at 09:21

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.

[FnG]magnolia · 17 Apr 2013 at 09:24

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

infernox · 17 Apr 2013 at 09:26

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

Mrs Seabiscuit · 17 Apr 2013 at 09:29

[FnG]magnolia;24132189 said:
Is she interested in the learning or in the application of the learning?

Learning

infernox said:
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.

peterwalkley · 17 Apr 2013 at 09:41

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

bitslice · 17 Apr 2013 at 09:45

My Mum loved Skype and puzzle games.

DaleTheWhale · 17 Apr 2013 at 09:46

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!

!bluetonic! · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:11

Have you any pics of your mum you can put on here to give us a better understanding of her requirements?

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"
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.

Mrs Seabiscuit · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:13

peterwalkley said:
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.

ThaReaperGuy said:
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 :eek:

do you mean remote assistance type thing?

Mrs Seabiscuit · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:15

!bluetonic! said:
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

pimper · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:16

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

Mrs Seabiscuit · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:24

pimper said:
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.

Hostile-17 · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:28

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

Mrs Seabiscuit · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:37

Hostile-17 said:
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. :mad:

TrixiBuG · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:43

Why don't you try and show her how to order her food from Tesco/ Asda/ Sainsburys etc online? That way you can show her secure payments and what to look for when buying stuff online?

Also maybe get her on Facebook or Twitter. That way she can learn how to upload pictures and maybe she could follow Michael Buble or similar

Edit: you could also get her reading and navigating around the BBC news site. It will get her used to hyperlinks etc

TommyV · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:43

If you were male, this would potentially 'be the wrong forum'

rhysduck · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:47

File Management (Copy and Pasting files from one location to another, onto USB drives etc, file management/structure)
Word Processing (Simple Letters, Birthday Cards, Editing existing docs, Saving documents to locations, Opening existing docs, inserting pictures, graphs etc)
Spreadsheets (simple calculation spreads of finances, shopping, graphs based on these)
Email (General use of emails, SPAM (How to spot it, how to deal with it), Sending and Receiving emails, attaching pictures/docs etc, Email management.)
How to Navigate Windows (Where documents will be saved, how to launch programs, how to delete/create shortcuts (for programs and docs))
The BIG ONE: Internet
Navigating websites, login to websites securely, how to create strong passwords, username and password management, how to order ur shopping online, checking the weather, reading the news etc)

I could go on...

You could easily spend a week or so on each and every subject above, depending on how much time you spend a day with your mum.

sports_brah · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:51

^ seems a wee bit harsh! (not you rhysduck)

I would say that the main focus would be on instilling confidence when the unexpected turns up. In my limited volunteering work I noticed that the major problems arose when people clicked the "wrong thing" which lead to them getting off the beaten path.

A good knowledge on how to get back to where you were, basic function of stuff etc

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.

Mrs Seabiscuit · 17 Apr 2013 at 11:31

sports_brah said:
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

sports_brah · 17 Apr 2013 at 11:34

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!

Basic computer stuff

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