DACS General Meeting Review – December 1, 2015
Abby Stokes had a little something for everyone during her 90 minute talk at the December, 2015 general meeting of DACS. Something for the experienced, something for the novice, and something for the many millions in between.
A GUIDE FOR THE KICKING AND SCREAMING: Abby spoke to an interested crowd on December 1st and found an audience of experienced computer users who are surrounded by inexperienced users nearly every day. That’s why we at DACS asked her to talk with us. Abby’s book is now in its third printing, the latest version came out this year so we knew it would have plenty of updated material. Her book with the long title, “Is This Thing On? A Friendly Guide to Everything Digital for Newbies, Technophobes, and the Kicking & Screaming” is right up the proverbial alley of DACS members who have to deal with those less comfortable with computer technology than themselves.
PREHISTORIC GOOGLING: Her presentation, “Navigate Our Digital World”, opened with a parody of the classic “Evolution of Man” chart we all had in junior high biology class, with an arc of progress from apes to man, but on her chart, the hump-backed apes became human, then reverted over time to hump-backed humans bent over a computer.
Another chart showed how a normal human head weighs 10-12 pounds when standing or sitting. However, that same chart showed that while using their mobile devices, most people bend their necks at a 60-degree angle, which makes the same head the equivalent of 60 pounds, straining to be held up by the person’s spine. “Better to keep your head up as much as possible when looking at a phone or sitting at a desk,” suggested Abby, “for those hovering over a computer screen all day”.
She even showed a photo captioned, “Prehistoric Googling” where people were using the old-fashioned card catalogs, long extinct in most modern libraries.
TONS OF TECH TIPS: Rather than explain the technology behind wi-fi, the internet, mobile phones or routers, the entertaining Ms. Stokes simply provided plenty of tips and everyday advice for those in the audience, suitable for anyone. She explained Wi-Fi’s benefits and issues.
NARROW YOUR SEARCH: Abby also noted that on average, most people visit 10 websites total each week, and that to grow, you should visit at least 1 new website per week. One way is to search websites for info important to you. To find only the sites you want, rather than just typing words in a Google search window, try using quotation marks around a phrase, then a minus or plus sign after the phrase to greatly narrow a search, depending on what you want or don’t want in your results.
Here’s how that would work: Googling the phrase “gardening ideas” followed by a minus sign and the word “roses” would deliver results about any article where the word “gardening” was immediately followed by the word “ideas”, but ZERO articles containing the word “roses”. Conversely, the phrase “gardening ideas” followed by a PLUS sign and the word roses would provide links to articles where all the gardening ideas were ONLY ones that mentioned roses.
CONSIDER “A JAZZED-UP” DESKTOP: While providing the three factors to consider in purchasing a device these days, she says three words still ring true, the “cost, look, and feel” of the device. Make sure to consider all three aspects before buying.
Abby explained that although the world of technology is going mobile, there are still many desktops available with plenty of great features: lots of memory, hard drive storage, and fast speeds, at very low prices (since most people are buying smaller devices).
Or, she says, consider buying a “Netbook” instead of a laptop because, as she pointed out, a netbook is essentially a laptop without a disc drive, with all the other features and more, nearly always comparable (or better) than a laptop with a disk drive…and a significant savings on price.
IMPROVE YOUR STYLE WITH A STYLUS: For those who have difficulty navigating small keyboards on today’s phones, she suggests using a stylus, which makes “a night and day difference” turning someone who could barely type on a small keyboard into a user who can type quickly and confidently with far fewer errors.
FACEBOOK DRAMA…NOT AT ALL: When the topic turned to social media, Abby mentioned that everyone should be able to have their own Facebook page if they want, with very little time spent setting one up. She said Facebook has become more mass-appeal than ever before, because it’s very user-friendly and valuable for following, friending, and “liking” people, companies, and organizations. They all have Facebook pages these days.
TAKE THE “FRONT DOOR” TEST: One of the largest concerns about Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media, Abby pointed out, is when people go too far and post far more personal or other internal family information than they would ever consider doing back before the internet.
If you’re unsure whether or not to post, tweet or blog something, ask yourself this: “would I print this info out on a sheet of paper and stick it on the front door of my home, so anyone could see it at anytime?”. If the answer is no, then don’t post it. Otherwise, it’s ok.
FREE VIDEO TUTORIALS ONLINE RIGHT NOW: Abby handed out a number of valuable reference sheets for the average computer user including “Over 200 Recommended Websites”, “Homework Assignments for Newbies”, and “100 Free Recommended Apps”. She also is making available links to her 14 videos, each featuring Abby discussing a specific subject, including…
- “How To Protect Your Mobile Device With A Password”
- “Tips And Tricks For Deleting E-Mails”
- “Taming Apple’s Mouse”
- “Searching Using A Tablet”
There’s even more valuable insight on the use of Instagram, Dropbox, and many more apps, on Abby’s website. Plus, the site has plenty of information for you to follow-up with, regardless of your level with technology. Her website is www.AskAbbyStokes.com. You can also follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/AskAbbyStokes or email her directly, Abby@AskAbbyStokes.com.
Abby took numerous questions during her presentation as well as afterwards, when interested DACS members and visitors kept her talking, asking additional questions. She was happy to answer them all.
….BUT WE HEARD HER EXCLAIM ‘ERE SHE DROVE OUT OF SIGHT: While Abby was packing up to leave and putting on her heavy coat (it was cold outside), a DACS audience member complimented her on her jacket and she said, “hey, this isn’t just a jacket, it’s a TECH jacket!”
She then showed those who were still around the DOZENS of zippered and snapped pockets both inside and outside of the jacket, which could hold various tech devices! The pockets could barely be seen and it had a stylish look. The brand name is “Scott E Vest” and Abby said, “Google it, you’ll like it!”. With that, she was off.