Mac help?

[Major_A]

Have you ever taught the elderly computer basics? With my last job I sold a product that required a PC/Mac to operate the machine. We setup simple one day training classes to help out our customers. I would literally have to explain to these people what left and right click was. I can tell that you are a nice guy that has very good intentions here but you might be getting in over your head. Unless you have the patience of a saint or are familiar with a teaching role you might want to reconsider. Seeing as you are teaching something that you aren't that particularly strong with (Mac) to people who will never see or touch a Mac. Grandma isn't going to shell out $2K when she can pick up an eMachines from Best Buy for $300. Honestly the entire situation sounds like wasted time and energy.

[hnzw_rui]

I would literally have to explain to these people what left and right click was.

Well, at least Apple's Mighty Mouse doesn't have that problem as it doesn't have a right-click button.

[DMB2000uk]

Nope, apple make it harder with having to press something on the keyboard at the same time.

Dan

[unfaithfulsfan]

Have you ever taught the elderly computer basics? With my last job I sold a product that required a PC/Mac to operate the machine. We setup simple one day training classes to help out our customers. I would literally have to explain to these people what left and right click was. I can tell that you are a nice guy that has very good intentions here but you might be getting in over your head. Unless you have the patience of a saint or are familiar with a teaching role you might want to reconsider. Seeing as you are teaching something that you aren't that particularly strong with (Mac) to people who will never see or touch a Mac. Grandma isn't going to shell out $2K when she can pick up an eMachines from Best Buy for $300. Honestly the entire situation sounds like wasted time and energy.

Back in the mid/late 90s , I had a sales/repair computer business. Most of my home customers were in their 50s/60s and early 70s. I did 1 on 1 home training for those who wanted it so I've had some experience in that role. In talking to the seniors who are interested in this, most already have a fundamental knowledge of computers and are surprisingly sharp and quick-minded. Of course, there are a couple who are terrified to touch anything. It's just like teaching anyone anything new.

I'm pretty patient in this situation since I apparently am one of those rare people who can remember how I was when I bought my first computer and how afraid of everything I was. I also remember the resident computer "expert" would obliterate half the contents of my hard drive every time he touched the damn thing. Sure, you have to K.I.S.S. them (Keep It Simple, Stupid) and sometimes dumb things down as well as move along at a snail's pace. But the biggest problem is that the trustee who started this thing is doing the opposite and completely over-complicating everything.

The seniors each have a binder, there are tests, they have to take periodic surveys, etc. etc. Can you believe this sh*t? They're not in college or even elementary school. I agree, it would be nice if they knew all the "lingo" and terminology but that's not the point of this class. It's simply to teach them to become functional on a computer (preferrably a PC ) so they can surf the 'Net, send and receive email, and upload/share pictures. C'mon! weekly TESTS?????

That all has been 99% of the complaints from all the seniors to me and ultimately what got me involved in this. Fortunately, from what I've seen so far, the differences between the Mac and the PC are not as insurmountable as I first thought. Closing programs is far more complicated than it should be, etc. But as there aren't THAT many seniors involved in this fiasco, I've already told them, if they decide to buy a PC, I'll help them make the transition. I'm already the Village tech--supporting my wife and the clerk's office with the server, helping the mayor's mentally ill son recover from all the malware he gets from his porn obsession, etc.

Besides, at the end of the day, I'm just sitting at home chugging liquid morphine every 3-4 hours to calm my abdominal pain--Healing and waiting for my disability claim to be approved. I might as well do something productive in the community. and, aside from the previously mentioned chafing as a result of the stupid trustee, I've been enjoying myself. Doing this on a volunteer basis makes me feel like I'm helping someone out. Much as all of you do here for me. Just passing along the favor and good will

Jack

[Major_A]

Tests are dumb, all they do is belittle people. Especially when the people are willing participants that want to learn something new. The goal here is exactly what you said it should be. Get on the Internet, send/receive email and print pictures of the grandkids to stick on the refrigerator. Either you need to tell the old person how to do her job or just take over and start from square one. Square one would involve ditching the Mac, the tests, the shortcuts, the lingo.

[unfaithfulsfan]

I have a feeling that's exactly where it's going but I'm going to have to let the seniors impeach her rather than me jump in and shove her out of the way. Damn, I've turned into a politician because my wife works for the Village government. (BTW, the trustee in question is actually younger than I am and I'm <50.)

I think splitting the group into two classes and letting me handle the "Intro to Computers" part of it will be a step in the right direction for starters. If everyone wants to come sit in that one day of the week and they all learn something useful from me, then the purpose is served.

Jack