Why isn't everyone online?

My DD did the same with me! I was very doubtful at first, but now! So glad she did.
You lot have been lifesavers on occasions.

Thankyou all!

Well I literally am only a member of G.N. My daughter started me using G.N. as a way of trying to get me interested in using a computer. I use my inbox, sentmail and compose do da's. I look at e.bay but don't have an account I ask my daughter to buy goods for me as I am not confident enough to do it myself. I have found out how to look things up which believe you me is impressive if you knew me.

Now I know there will be some that will not believe there are still people like myself but there are. I have learnt to be more confident using the computer because of G.N. For example I have now worked out how to look at P.M.'s, understood where I was going wrong when trying to post on a thread and it would be lost, elementary things to you all but not to me.

I think this is a generation problem. I accept this will sound silly when this is after all a group of grannies and grandads but younger generations have grown up using computers, not all of our generation did. I thought that I would not cope with it, be a nuisance for someone to teach me and did not think I would find much use for it. I know that is a view shared by many of my friends and I cannot convice them to give it a try.

Perhaps if there was a scheme that allowed you to have a computer on loan, rather than loose money if you could not cope with it, plus basic training in your home it would reach out to many people like myself. It was worrying about the cost and having to read books or go to night school classes that totally put me off. I don't think that will happen because of cost but I simply think knowing what puts people off is a pointer as to why it is not used by all.

...my son just 'showed' me how to do this. I still don't know what he did though .....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JR3f469J9M

still not working

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JR3f469J9M

Good point Hilary.

I've done some work in London with the Association of Greater London Women. They are nearly all on pension credit, many live on their own. Some do have broadband , some say they can't afford the monthly subscription even if their family does buy them a laptop, table or whatever. 50% of women over 65 live on their own in the UK. About 2/3 of people on pension credit are women. I think there is a poverty issue around older women on low pensions and access to the web, which is going to have be added to campaigns.

Yes, you have to highlight and copy the http address in the box at the top of the page, then paste (instructions for links below).
I find it easier to tick the 'convert links automatically' box directly below this box before I paste.

Yes; are they different? On the other forums I use people are always putting utube clips up!

crimson, are you trying to insert a Youtube clip?

So sorry; just try again when no-one is listening in!!

...nope....

hazel bleak blog menopause

crimson, bear in mind that you can't 'cut' any content of online information, only 'copy' and then paste.

Crimson, put us out of our misery; did it work?!

I'm going to have a go at cutting and pasting; here goes.

Just a little addendum to this wonderful advice. I find I have to write out myself the information that is given on the screen such as the information that Greatnan gave on 19th September. I then follow the instructions I have copied out and am able to follow them Goodness knows why but it does seem once I have hand written notes I can cope! I think it goes back to school days when we all had to write lesson notes in our 'rough' book then copy them up for home work!! It was boring at the time but has proved such a useful skill over the years!

I so agree with your comment Anne, I belong to several forums related to my interests. On one of them there is a particular person who is quite nasty and acerbic in their comments and like to cause division.But if one confronts the person they act all innocent,shame really.But I suppose its a fact of life one finds jealousy even on a forum.

My mother has Parkinson's, and the tremor makes it impossible for her to control the mouse so I do her online shopping order for her. My father, aged 88, can still do everything he needs to on his computer, but his eyesight is now failing. I do think that the technology is aimed towards the relatively able and is not adjusted to the infirmities of extreme old age.

I'm in my 60s now - will it be better for me in 25 years time?

I love the internet and am bit addicted really so OH reckons, however I would probably not have like the other grannie said got involved with internet banking if my DS had not set it up years ago.

Both fled the nest now and we are on our own as it were, can be pricey if you need something sorted chap we have charged £20 hour but he is very good.

could not imagine life with out the internet, but do have friends who do not have computer and somehow do not think they ever will!!

fear of the unknown a lot of it.
very hard to cope nowadays without it.
Yes f book is great and so are forums but they can cause upset too have to be used wisely.

Mind you, I don't think it's all good. We managed fine before it was invented.

We actually went out and visited the bank to check our finances. And high streets flourished.

Then there are the children who get deprived of 'mum time'.

I don't think I would be online today if I hadn't had a son living at home to get it all set up.

I think that's probably why some older people don't use the internet. No one to introduce them to it.

I will be moving away from my small community in a rural setting but long to keep in touch with many female friends through facebook which few of them use. Attitudes against engaging with the general internet world seem to be based on fear from scare stories about intrusion in one's private life, having identity stolen, ulterior motives of advertisers, insecurity over money transactions and a general belief that modern technology is a stressful accomplishment that isn't neccessary. It isn't through lack of access to computers as most have one in the family. I offer to help learn and show how to be in control of using social networks but I hit a luddite brick wall whenever I bring the subject up and realise that 'goodbye' will mean loss of chat and a re-learning for me of letter writing skills - anyone got a quill?