Computers and the internet This leaflet was printed in October 2007. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this leaflet is accurate. However, things do change, so it is always a good idea to seek expert advice on your personal situation. If you would like this leaflet in another format, such as large print or audio tape, please contact the Information Resources Team on 020 7278 1114. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Contents How to choose a computer Section 1 Taking delivery of your computer Section 2 Your new computer Section 3 How to find a computer training course Section 4 Benefits of going online Section 5 Getting online Section 6 Staying safe online Section 7 Further information Section 8 Jargon buster Section 9 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– You may find the idea of using a computer daunting, and worry that it must be very complicated, but it need not be. A computer is just another machine that can help to make life easier, just like a microwave, a washing machine or a telephone. All you need to do is to decide what you want from the computer and learn how to use one. It does not have to be expensive. You don’t need to own a computer to be able to use one. You could go to an internet café or use a computer in your local library, although you may have to pay to do this. If you think you will only want to use a computer occasionally, and then only for a short time, this could be the best option for you. If you don’t know how to use a computer, there are many courses available. These may be free or at a lower cost for older people. Throughout this leaflet we may use words and terms which you are not familiar with. These terms are highlighted in bold; you will find explanations in the ‘Jargon Buster’ section in Section 9. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Section 1 – How to choose a computer Before you buy a computer you should consider the following points. Decide what you want it for. Are you going to be using theinternet or do you just want a computer for writing? Do you want to be able to store all your photographs on the computer? Are you going to use it to store and play music, listen to the radio or watch TV programmes? Do you want to use a computer to help you with budgeting and household finances? Decide whether you want a laptop or a desktop computer. A laptop computer may be good if you have limited space, but it will have a smaller screen and keyboard than a desktop computer. As a result you may find it uncomfortable to use. Try using a laptop in a shop before you buy one. Decide how much you have to spend. It is important that you buy the right computer and one you can afford. Don’t let a salesperson pressure you into buying something that is unsuitable or too expensive. You may be able to pay for your computer by interest-free instalments. If this option appeals to you, ask the salesperson if this is possible. Shop around. You don’t have to buy the first computer you see. Many high street shops sell computers, so you can compare prices for similar models. You may even be able to buy one second-hand if you look in the small ads in your local newspaper. If you have a friend or relative who already uses the internet, they could help you to buy a computer online. If you have started a computer course, it is likely that your course tutor will be happy to advise you. You can, of course, also ask friends or relatives for suggestions, particularly if they have computers themselves. They may be able to come to the shop with you to help you find something suitable. They may also be able to help you set up the computer when you get home. When you are in the computer store, make sure you do the following. Ask for advice – if you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If staff are unable or unwilling to explain in language that you can understand, go to another shop. Make sure you tell the shop assistant what you plan to use the computer for, so you buy one that is suitable for what you want. Ask whether having the computer delivered to your home and setting it up is part of the price. If not, ask the shop assistant to recommend someone who can help you. Ask how long the standard warranty lasts and what it covers. Don’t be pressured into buying an ‘extended’ warranty unless you are convinced that you want one. Ask whether there is a helpline you can ring if you have problems. Find out what sort of help it can give and whether it is free to call. You may be put under pressure to buy insurance for the computer, but this may not be necessary as your household contents insurance may cover it. If it doesn’t, there may be cheaper options for insurance than the retailer’s scheme. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Section 2 – Taking delivery of your computer Before your computer is delivered, make sure you have a space set aside where you will be able to use the computer comfortably. You will need: * a desk or table that is the right height. When you sit on an upright chair in front of the table and rest the palms of your hands on the table, your forearms should be parallel with the floor and your elbows should be bent at an angle of ninety degrees; * a firm, upright chair: for example, a dining chair, that provides good support, especially for the lower back. Make sure that your feet can rest flat on the floor – use a foot rest if necessary. If you expect to use the computer a lot, it is worth buying a properly adjustable office-type chair; and * proper lighting, so that there are no reflections from your screen. Avoid putting your computer in a place where sunlight may reflect from the screen or shine in your eyes. Don’t overload your plug sockets as this could cause a fire. If you have not got enough sockets, buy a good quality bar adaptor. Make sure that power cables and the cable to your telephone point are tucked away so you cannot trip over them. Make sure you add your computer to your household insurance. Computers are expensive to replace if they are stolen or damaged accidentally. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Section 3 – Your new computer You should expect your new computer to have all the software that you will need for basic tasks already installed. It should also have a screen (or monitor), a keyboard, a mouse, a hard disk that stores software and data and a disk drive that enables you to use CDs and DVDs. You may have to buy a printer as a separate item. Check with the salesperson to see what comes with your computer. The software on your computer will include the operating system that manages all the other programs on it. The most widely used computers are PCs (personal computers) that use an operating system called Microsoft Windows. Apple Mac computers have their own operating system. Both Windows and the Mac operating system include programs for word processing, internet browsing, email, looking at digital photographs and listening to music. As a newcomer to computers, these basic tools are likely to be all that you will need. Any additional software depends on want you want to use your computer for. Talk to friends and relatives about what you want to do with your computer. It is easy to add software at a later date if you find that you need it for a particular task. Other equipment that you may need includes a printer, to print documents and photos, and perhaps a scanner, to copy old photos to store on your computer. You may also want to buy speakers so that you can listen to music. These items can be relatively cheap and you can get them from most shops which sell computers, although better-quality equipment costs more than basic equipment. Some printers can also be used as scanners so you may not need both. Ask the salesperson about printers and scanners when you buy your computer. Help for people with sight or dexterity problems If you have sight or dexterity problems you can get programs and other items to help you. For example, you can get programs that allow you to speak to your computer instead of typing, or you can buy a keyboard with bigger keys that are easier to see and to use. For more information about computer equipment and software which could help you, contact: Abilitynet Tel: 0800 269545 Textphone: 01926 312847 Email: enquiries@abilitynet. org. uk Web: www. abilitynet. org. uk –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Section 4 – How to find a computer training course Finding a course where you can learn how to use computers and the internet isn’t difficult. There are many courses available and you can even find trainers who will come to your home if you find it difficult to leave your house. If you live in Northern Ireland, you may be interested in the computer training courses that Help the Aged runs specifically for older people. For more information contact Help the Aged in Northern Ireland, tel: 028 9023 0666. You may find that your local library or community centre runs courses for people who want to learn how to use a computer. These courses may be held during the day or in the evening. Phone your local council to ask for details of any computer courses in your area. You will find contact details in your phone book. Age Concern branches often run taster sessions for older people to try the internet and see what it has to offer. They may also run training sessions for people who want to know more. If your local branch doesn’t run sessions itself, staff there may be able to give you the details of appropriate courses that are near your home. Look in your phone book for details of your local branch. If you want more formal training which could lead to a recognised qualification, you could contact Learn Direct, which runs courses in local colleges. These courses may be held during the day or in the evening. Phone free on 0800 100 900 to ask about courses in your area; web: www. learndirect. co. uk Third Age Foundation runs courses specifically for people aged over 40. It runs beginners’ courses as well as courses for people who are more advanced. For details of courses in your area contact Third Age Foundation at: Third Age Foundation Britannia House 1–11 Glenthorne Road London W6 0LH Tel: 020 8748 9898 Web: www. thirdage. org. uk Digital Unite provides tuition specifically for older people. A trainer will visit you in your own home at a time that suits you. All the trainers are older people, who will tailor their tuition to suit your needs. It may also be able to advise you about buying your own computer, local suppliers and how to get help if you have a problem. Digital Unite also run courses in sheltered housing schemes and other communities. Contact it for more details at: Digital Unite Ltd Unit 213,The Foundry 156 Blackfriars Road London SE1 8EN Tel: 0870 241 5091 Web: www. digitalunite. net –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Section 5 – Benefits of going online One of the major benefits of using a computer is having access to the internet. This is known as going online. More than 50 per cent of the UK population uses the internet on a regular basis. People use the internet for many purposes, including keeping in touch with friends and family (via email), finding information about subjects that interest them, and shopping. Keeping in touch For older people whose families have moved away, one of the best reasons for using the internet is to keep in touch with them quickly and easily. If you have a connection to the internet this can be done, using email, for a fraction of the cost of making a normal voice call on your existing phone line. Broadband is a fast way to connect to the internet (see page 14 for more details). You can send letters, photos and even videos almost instantly by email. You can also make telephone calls via the internet and, if you use a special type of camera called a webcam, you can even see the person you are talking to, on screen, although they may be many miles away. Or you can keep an internet diary, or blog, which your friends and family can access easily, to find out all your news. You can also make new friends on the internet. There are many email groups and chatrooms where you will be able to find new friends of all ages with similar interests to you. People in chatrooms only know as much as you want to tell them about who you are, how old you are and what you do. No one can see you and make assumptions about you on the grounds of appearance. But remember, you won’t be able to see the person you are talking to either and it may not always be wise to trust them or believe what they tell you about themselves. Organising household and personal finances You can use the internet to help organise your personal finances. If you find it difficult to go out or you live some distance from your nearest town centre, you can use the internet for banking. Most banks now encourage customers to do their banking online. This means that you can check your bank statements, manage your mortgage, if you have one, set up standing orders or pay bills at a time that suits you, and without having to leave your home. Also, you will often find that internet customers get better interest rates and have lower bank charges, so you can save money too. Shopping The internet is also useful for shopping. Most high street shops and supermarkets now have online stores, which means that you can do your shopping from home. This can be very useful for people who live a long way from their local shops or who find it difficult to leave the house. This has many advantages, the main ones being that it is often cheaper to buy online and that you can see the whole range of goods available rather than just the things in your local store. All you have to do is select what you want to buy, pay for it using a credit or debit card and wait for it to be delivered to your door. You can also buy things from companies which are further away, even overseas, without having to leave the house. However, don’t forget that you may have to pay for postage and packing as well. Enjoying interests and hobbies The internet can be really useful if you want to pursue a hobby or interest of some kind. You can find information on the internet on any subject you can think of – from recipes and gardening tips to writing for profit. You could also use it for researching your family tree. As well as information, the internet offers email and social networking groups for people who share similar interests. You can make new friends, ask questions or pass on tips. Playing games Computers are great fun if you want to play games on them. You can either buy the games and play with the computer or play online games with people from anywhere in the world. Many types of computer game are available, from adventure games to card and board games. If you like to play bridge, chess or Scrabble but have to one to play with, you could try an online games site where you will be able to find opponents to play against. Online game sites are also useful if you find it difficult to sleep. Whatever the time, there is almost always someone who is awake, somewhere in the world, who wants to play. However, beware of any games sites which ask for bank or credit card details. These may be gambling sites. If you are asked for any financial details, make sure you know why these are needed and what costs you may incur. Education and employment Some older people find that once they have retired they don’t have enough to do that makes them think. If this applies to you, there is nothing to stop you from going back to education or, for that matter, finding a part-time job. For those who would like to work towards a new qualification there are many further or higher education courses that can be done online. You could do a course in any subject you like over the internet: for example, a degree or postgraduate qualification with the Open University, a language or IT course with Learn Direct or a course on astronomy with the University of the Third Age. Many part-time and volunteer opportunities are advertised on the internet. You could search for something that interests you on voluntary organisations’ websites, look at job advertisements in local papers or register with your local volunteer bureau. Some jobs, both paid and voluntary, can be done at home, using a computer with an internet connection. Watching TV or listening to the radio Many TV programmes can be found on the internet. If you have an up-to-date computer with the right software and a broadband connection, you may be able to find the programme you missed on the internet and watch it on your computer screen. Remember, if you watch TV programmes on your computer you will need to have a TV licence. You can also listen to radio programmes on your computer, as they are being transmitted. You can listen to radio stations all over the world in this way. If you wish, you can buy music and videos online to play on your computer. Note, however, that even a short video uses a great deal of storage on a computer, so you will need to buy a computer with a large hard disk if you want to store videos. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Section 6 – Getting online In order to get online you will need to have an account with an internet service provider (ISP). There are hundreds of ISPs, so you should shop around to find the one that is best for you. You should ask your friends and relatives with internet access which ISP they use and whether they would recommend it. You will need to decide whether you want dial-up or broadband access. Dial-up access means that you have to dial your ISP’s number and set up a connection each time you go online. Broadband uses a box attached to your telephone line that is always connected to the internet. When you switch on your computer, it is automatically connected to the internet. Dial-up is cheaper, but much slower than broadband. With broadband you can still make and receive phone calls while you are using the internet as well, whereas with dial-up you cannot. Dial-up is fine if all you want to do online is send and receive emails, although, even then, it can seem very slow if you want to attach photos or other documents. If you want to use the internet for most other purposes, broadband is best, and it is essential for downloading videos, listening to radio, or using a webcam. ISPs offer a whole range of different service packages. Generally, the more you pay, the more facilities you get. Make sure that the package you buy is right for your needs. Discount packages usually restrict the amount of data you can send or receive in a month. This is fine if all you want is email and limited internet use, but no good if you want to download videos. If you are doing a computer course, ask the tutor to recommend an ISP. You will see many different advertisements for ISPs on the TV and in newspapers and magazines. Don’t sign up with the first one you see. Shop around and choose the one which best suits your needs. Before you sign up with an ISP you should ask: Is there a connection charge? * Is 24-hour support provided? * Is the equipment you need to connect your computer to the telephone supplied free? If not, how much does it cost? * Is there a download limit? * What is the bandwidth? Some telephone companies provide cheap broadband as part of their package; if you choose one of these, check that you can keep your existing telephone number. If you are considering signing up with an ISP, you might also try calling their technical support number during the hours that you think you will be likely to be using the computer. Do you get through quickly, or do you have to hold on for a long time? –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Section 7 – Stay safe online The internet is a wonderful tool that can make your life better in many ways. Unfortunately the features that make it easy for honest people to use can also be exploited by mischief-makers and even criminals. But you should not let fear stop you using the internet. A few simple precautions will keep you safe online. Anti-virus software and firewall Computer viruses spread from computer to computer in email attachments and files downloaded from websites. If a virus ‘infects’ your computer, you may have to have all your software replaced, or lose your data. Anti-virus software detects any viruses that are sent to your computer and stops them from doing any damage. A firewall stops anyone connecting to your computer without your permission and also blocks malicious programs that try to take over your computer. This can happen even if you are only connected to the internet for a few minutes without protection. Microsoft Windows includes a firewall. Ask about anti-virus software when you buy your computer. You can often get a free trial with a new computer. Many ISPs also sell it as part of their package. Make sure that anti-virus software is installed and the firewall is switched on before you access the internet. The person who sets up your internet connection should make sure this is done. If you set up your own connection, get advice from your ISP’s helpline, or from a friend or relative who knows about computers. It is very important that anti-virus software is kept up to date to guard against new threats. These updates are normally automatic, but you need a subscription to the software to make sure they continue to arrive. If you have a ‘free trial’ you must make sure that you do not let it expire through non-payment. You can download a free version of anti-virus software from AVG Free Advisor; www. free. grisoft. com/doc/2/ Spam Spam is email that is sent automatically to millions of addresses. It usually advertises things such as drugs or pornography. If you receive an email from someone that you have never heard of, don’t open it. Delete it immediately. If you do open it by accident, don’t click on any links. Never reply to a spam message. Be careful about opening attachments to email messages as this is a common way that viruses spread. Never open an attachment to a spam message. Even if the message seems to come from someone you know, ask yourself whether they would have sent it to you. If you have any doubts, check with them first. A favourite trick of online criminals is to send messages that claim to come from a bank, and ask you to go to a website and give your bank account details and PIN. No bank will ever ask you to do this. If you have any doubts about an email that seems to come from your bank, telephone the bank using the phone number on your statement. Never give out your bank details or PIN in response to an email, or enter them into a website. Only give credit or debit card details when you are using a secure online shopping site. Chatrooms and email groups If you are using any of these, it is important to take care of your personal safety. When you are using a chatroom or email group, don’t give out personal information such as your address or phone number to people you don’t know well. If you arrange to meet someone from a chatroom whom you have not met before, arrange to meet in a public place where there will be plenty of other people. It might be a good idea to take a friend or relative with you the first time. It’s a good idea to set up a separate email address for chatrooms and email groups, then, if you start to get annoying messages, you can simply cancel that address. Shopping online Only buy from online retailers that have a good reputation, either as ‘high street’ shops, or established online stores. If you do buy from a small company, make sure that its website shows an address and a fixed telephone number (not a mobile). If you use auction sites such as eBay follow their security advice very carefully. Any website that asks you for credit card or bank details should be secure’. This means that the information you send it cannot be read by anyone else. A secure website will display a padlock or a key symbol either at the bottom left, or at the top of your screen. If the company wants to pass on your details to other companies, it should give you the right to say no. Look for a tick box on the site, and only say yes if you really want to get junk mail. Never download pirated software, music or videos. This is illegal. If you buy online, it is worth using a price comparison website to make sure you are getting the best deal. Backups Backups are copies of computer files that ensure the data is still available even if your computer fails or is damaged or stolen. Make backups of all important financial information and anything else that is precious to you, such as photos, on CD or DVD, and keep them somewhere safe. For more useful advice about online security see the website: www. getsafeonline. org –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Section 8 – Further information Books for beginners Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Computer Basics (Absolute Beginners Guides) 3rd edition by Michael Miller, price £13. 99. ISBN 0789734303. Computing for the Older Generation by James Gatenby, price £7. 99. ISBN 0859346013. The Internet for the Older Generation by James Gatenby, price £7. 99. ISBN 0859346005. Grasp the NETtle: a beginner’s guide to the internet. Available from: Age Resource Age Concern England 1268 London Road London SW16 4ER Tel: 020 8765 7610 How to be a Silver Surfer: a beginner’s guide to the internet 2nd edition by Emma Aldridge. Price £5. 99. Available from: Age Concern Books Unit 6, Industrial Estate Brecon Powys LD3 8LA Tel: 0870 4422 120 Getting the Most from your Computer: a guide for the over-50s 2nd edition by Jackie Sherman. Price £7. 99. From Age Concern Books. Websites for beginners www. bbc. co. uk/computertutor The BBC Computer Tutor 1 is an online guide for people who do not know how to use a keyboard, mouse or computer screen. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Section 9 – Jargon buster Backup – A copy of data from a computer to a CD, DVD or some other storage device so that it is available if the computer fails or is damaged. Bandwidth - The speed of the connection to the internet. Blog – A personal online journal that is frequently updated and which can be read by anyone. Broadband – A connection to the internet with high bandwidth. Chatrooms – Websites in which users can have a conversation over the internet by typing messages. Data – Information that can be stored or transmitted (usually via computers). Data can be sound, text or images. Desktop computer – A computer designed to stay in one place. It usually has a separate screen and keyboard. Disk drive – A computer component that enables you to read data from a CD or DVD and, in some cases, to store data on CD or DVD. Download – Copy data from a computer on the internet to yourown computer. Email (electronic mail) – A way of sending typed messages and files from one computer to one or more others. Firewall – A protective software shield that stops unauthorised people from accessing a computer over the internet. Hard disk – The part of a computer that stores data even when the computer is switched off. Internet (also ‘the net’ or ‘the web’) – Networks that connect hundreds of millions of computers all over the world. Internet browsing – Looking at websites using software on your computer. Internet Service Provider (ISP) – A company that provides access to the internet, usually for a monthly fee. IT – Information Technology: the production, storage and communication of information using computers and electronic technology. Laptop computer – A computer that is designed to be carried around. The keyboard and screen are in one unit. Online – Connected to the internet. Operating system – The software that manages how a computer works. Scanner – A machine that can copy a picture, photograph or document to a computer. The scanned image can then be kept on the computer, put on a website, or sent to other people via email. Secure websites – On a secure site, users’ details are scrambled into code (encrypted) before being sent over the internet and stored on a secure database. Software – Electronic instructions for a computer: for example, its operating system, applications such as word processing and databases, and computer games. Spam – Electronic junk mail or any unsolicited email. Virus – Programs that infiltrate computers and, when activated, corrupt the data or destroy the operating system. Website – A set of pages that is owned and managed by an individual, company or organisation and viewed using the internet. October 2007