It's Never too Late to be Web Savvy

Some older people feel intimidated by unfamiliar technology, but today's computers are anything but scary.  A class at your local senior's centre - or even a quick lesson from a grandchild - is probably all the help you need to join the ranks of millions of devoted "silver surfers".  Here are some tips for getting started. 

Search engines

The internet puts a wealth of information right at your fingertips.  Whatever you want to learn about, there's bound to be information about it on the web. Fortunately‚ you can use a search engine that sifts through all the pages in seconds. The most popular search engine is Google. It has become so well used that people often refer to searching for information online by saying they'll 'Google it'!

Email

One of the most common and most useful internet applications is electronic mail (email). You can send an email to friends and family‚ wherever they are‚ and attach pictures‚ photos‚ or other documents. Setting up an email account isn't complicated. You can either set one up through the company that provides your internet service or you can use a web-based service like Gmail‚ Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail.

Internet Telephone

Using the internet for phone calls is becoming popular because it is often cheaper than fixed-line telephones. In fact, it's often free. You will need a microphone and so will the person you are speaking to. If you both have a web camera (webcam) you can also see the person you are talking to. Skype is the most popular provider of this service. You can chat for free with Skype-to-Skype calls and never worry about cost. If you use Skype to connect to a telephone, you will incur a small charge.

Shopping online

You can shop from the comfort of your home 24 hours a day. Most major retailers have online shopping available on their websites, and internet auction sites are also popular. To buy something online you'll have to provide credit card details‚ so you need to know that you can trust the retailer. It's best to buy from stores that you know or ones that have third-party seals of approval like Better Business Bureau Online or the TRUSTe seal of approval.

Managing your money online

Managing your money online is a quick and easy way to keep tabs on your finances. Instead of queuing at the bank‚ you can set up online access to your account and use it to transfer money‚ pay bills and set up direct debits. Check with your bank about how to access your account online.