Uncovering the Web

A seniors workshop on getting more out of the internet, by James Samuel

On Wednesday the 22nd of August (from 10am) I am offering a two hour workshop to anyone who wants to learn how to get more out of the internet and use some of the new computer technology to best advantage. These days more and more services are only available online, so it helps to know how to access them. If you can navigate and find your way around the vast information pool we call the worldwide web, it can save you hours of time, and also reveal things you may not have otherwise known. While the web can be overwhelming, with good searches and a disciplined approach, it is possible to get to the information you want quite quickly.

We will visit some Google Maps and see how they are being used to share information in interesting ways. We'll look at YouTube and Google Video, and what they have to offer. We'll go to some news sites and at our local Council pages - you may be surprised at what is available there. We''ll touch on internet phone calls, sharing photos, backing up files, and more.

Why now? It is my sense that there is a growing awareness amongst the seniors in our community, of the overlapping issues of Peak Oil, Climate Change, and Local Governance. I am delighted to observe this and support its growth, because I feel that there is so much that can be offered by you. You have more time to talk with others, to do the work of digging out information that is of help, and you have the life experience of a simpler way of life that will be of enormous benefit to the entire community as we make our way down the slope towards a lower energy future.

How it will be run? The internet will come alive on the big cinema screen so that everyone can follow the process as it unfolds. There will be time for questions at the end of each section, and we will do a short review at the end to see if everyone got something of value from the morning, and find out if any follow up would be helpful. A handout will be given at the end, so you have some reference material to take home with you. Contributions towards costs will be welcome in the form of Koha.