Selecting a Computer for a Senior Citizen

By: Norman Fong

Selecting a Computer for a Senior Citizen

If you have a parent, older relative or older friend who has expressed the desire to own a computer, you may have volunteered to help them out without thinking – and right now you may be wondering how, exactly, to select a computer for someone who will not need the machine for video gaming, business purposes or fancy programs.

It’s true: Senior citizens probably don’t need a computer for the same reasons you need one. But they too deserve satisfaction with the purchase. If you’ve volunteered to help pick one out, there are a few guidelines that will ensure the new computer owner ends up happy – and appropriately educated – with the selection.

Before Buying a Machine

Purchasing a computer can be a daunting task for someone who’s never done it. Arm yourself with a few ideas before hitting the store.

Laptop versus Desktop

The first question to ask is whether the senior wants a laptop or a desktop. There are certainly pros and cons to both choices, but consider the following reasons that a laptop may be the better bet for an older person:

Laptops are portable and lightweight, which means the senior can travel with it easily.
Laptops require less wiring and parts – the monitor, keyboard and mouse are all included in one machine, which may appeal to someone older and intimidated by technology.
Laptops are often less expensive. 

- 10 Windows Tablets for Under $500 -

Mac versus Windows

If you’re a warrior of the old Mac versus PC argument – and you’re devoted to one answer – you may be tempted to convert a senior citizen to your own preference. But don’t be. Instead, share the following benefits of each computer type and let them decide.

Mac Pros

• It’s often easier to learn a Mac’s software; they are known to be more user-friendly. 
• Macs are durable and long-lasting. 
• Macs are less susceptible to viruses – which could be a plus if your senior is just learning to navigate the Web. 

PC Pros

• PCs are less expensive. 
• PCs are also less expensive when it comes to repair and purchasing software. 
• The PC world offers more software options and a wider range of peripherals, from printers to speakers to joysticks. 

Helpful Features

Make sure the computer you’re buying has the proper features to help seniors navigate easily and in comfort. Here are some to consider. Most computers come with these features built in, but checking them out and learning how to use them is important.

• Screen resolution and contrast: Depending on the computer owner’s preferences, most screens can be adjusted for size of text and contrast. Typically, you can use keyboard shortcuts or menu options to achieve the desired effect. 
• Touch screen: Many computers now offer a touch screen option, which a senior citizen may find more comfortable – especially those who suffer from arthritis or who have trouble moving around easily. 
• Sound: Obviously, you can turn up the volume on the machine to the new owner’s liking. But voiceover – when the computer “talks” to the owner – can also be a helpful tool. 
• Software: How do you determine what software packages to install for the new machine? First of all, find out what the owner has in mind. Quiz him or her about interests. In most cases, the built-in software in the computer will be sufficient, but there also are programs that “simplify” software for seniors, including Internet access. 

After Buying a Machine

We can’t stress this enough: If the new owner is not tech-savvy, set up the new machine to make it easy for the user to carry out basic functions.

Accounts and Passwords

Don’t let the new owner get confused by the bevy of usernames and passwords he or she will need in order to sign into various accounts such as email, video chat and social media. Keep some of these tips in mind: Simple is best. Don’t make usernames and passwords too complex. On the other hand, don’t get lazy about passwords – the name of a pet, grandchild or another point of reference is better than something easy to hack such as sequential numbers. Urge the new computer owner to write down usernames and passwords and keep this information in a safe place.

Protection

Inexperienced Internet users may stumble upon websites that will compromise the computer. That said, setting up a simple virus protection program is a good idea. It’s also important to teach the new computer owner to protect private information such as physical address and Social Security identification – especially if he or she will be using the Internet for medical or other personal matters.

Web Access

Don’t depend on accessing the neighbor’s Internet – such a plan compromises security, and it’s far from dependable. Instead, suggest that your senior citizen friend invest in cable Internet and use a direct ethernet cable connection, which is simpler than going wireless.

Remember, helping a senior citizen purchase and set up his or her first computer is easier than you might think. With a little patience and humor, they’ll be up and running in no time.

This article, Selecting a Computer for a Senior Citizen, is syndicated fromModernLifeBlogs and is posted here with permission.

The Bigger They Are The Harder They Can Fall

There are entrepreneurs who win all their battles but still manage to lose the war. A new company that experiences an abnormal growth spurt may sound like a dream come true, but unless the owner/manager is prepared ahead of time for such sudden success it may become a very bumpy victory indeed! The Greeks called it a Pyrrhic victory; a victory that almost costs more than defeat. The kind of victory an entrepreneur can’t afford to have if he or she wants to nurture his or her business into a solid, stable enterprise.

Of course, there are those entrepreneurs who relish the high seas of uncertainty and the piratical gamble of unstructured and unsupervised growth, thinking such things are recognized world-wide as a sure sign of success; but this kind of operation almost inevitably succumbs to the workaday realities of the business world and then founders, leaving investors and employees high and dry.

What are the specific challenges a new, fast-growth company faces in today’s business climate? Gary Kunkle, a research partner at Evolution Capital Partners, has done extensive research on thousands of swift-growing companies. His data base is now enormous, and his conclusions are far-reaching and thought-provoking. Here, in a nutshell, are two of them:

· The staff can’t keep up with newer, more complex demands. When a company really takes off and its sales and services increase exponentially, the staff that could easily handle a hundred sales orders per day may not be the staff that can just as easily handle a thousand orders a day. Logistics can change in the blink of an eye, but people tend to go slowly into new territory, sticking to the tried and true methods that worked for them yesterday – not realizing that old methodologies can’t handle new challenges.

Some entrepreneurs are cold-blooded enough to simply let such staffing go, but the really smart operators are aware of the time, effort, and money it took to train their original staff in the first place, and do not want to let that talent leave – to possibly work for a competitor! So instead they train their staff from the get-go to prepare for “second-tier staffing”. This means that the current logistics manager is aware that at some future point an ‘executive’ logistics manager may be appointed, to take some of the more complex procedures off of his or her hands. The smart employee at a new company will understand this concept, and be grateful for it. According to Kunkle, it is one of the best ways to prevent high employee turnover in a new company that experiences fast growth.

· The cash flow conundrum. Let’s say your new startup strikes a bonanza when a major corporation or government agency contracts with your company to provide a huge amount of product and/or service. In order to meet this new and potentially lucrative commitment you immediately hire an additional 30 people. They go to work and soon your startup is producing the promised outcome – but you are not going to be paid for this excellent work until it is completed, finished. And that won’t be for six more months. In the meantime, where are you going to get the funds to pay those 30 new employees?

According to Kunkle, it is surprising how often a new business owner will become mesmerized by future profit potential without bothering about current fiscal needs. Such unwary entrepreneurs grow themselves into a financial bind that may end their entire company. Always anticipate the need for cash infusions, says Kunkle.

This means keeping your line of credit open and healthy, and flexible, with your bankers. Also be on the lookout for other investors who may be interested in investing in a sure thing when you can show them the big, fat contract you have just signed. And finally, there’s nothing wrong in asking your new client for a down payment for future product and services, especially if it is a government contract. Government agencies are notoriously dilatory in paying their final bills, because of the vast amount of paper work they must wade through, and, of course, the always imminent threat of another Sequester. 

What to Give This Season: Top Charities You Can Trust

While the holidays are usually focused on giving presents to our families and loved ones, it is important not to forget the people that don't have the luxury of being able to get presents or even basic living supplies. In fact, the only way a lot of these people can get anything is through charities and certain organizations. For those that want to spread the holiday cheer a little bit more this year, here is a list of the top charities that you can donate to. All of these charities are legitimate, and make a huge difference in bettering the lives of the less fortunate.

Doctors Without Borders

Doctor Without Borders is a great organization that provides medical care to citizens in countries that need it. Whether it is due to conflict, natural disasters, or just downright poverty, Doctors Without Borders will provide them with great medical care. This organization is also neutral and does not get involved in local political conflict. They will provide medical care to anyone that needs it. This charity is great when you want to immediately impact the lives of others no matter where they happen to be.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation

Nearly everyone has heard of this great charity, the Make-a-Wish foundation. This organization grants wishes to children that suffer from life-threatening diseases and conditions. These wishes can be as simple as meeting their favorite movie character, and can be as elaborate as turning the city of San Francisco into Gotham City for a day. Regardless, these kids benefit immensely from any and all donations. This can be an especially great way to impact the lives of the family who are losing a child. Get to know them through this act of giving.

Donors Choose

Donors Choose is a very cool charity because you get to see exactly where your money is going. The charity has been endorsed by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, and Stephen Colbert. Donors Choose allows teachers to post projects that they want to do with their students and they will ask for donations. A lot of schools don't have the money to do these projects and they rely on donations in order to help these children have a fun educational experience. The money goes to field trips, supplies and new school equipment. If you send over $50, you will receive a handwritten thank you card from the students.

All in all, there are plenty of different charities to choose from. Melaleuca is another example of an organization that gives to this less fortunate, and you check to see where all these charities put their resources. One moment of kindness can truly change the lives of a lot of people. It doesn't have to be pricey either. Feel free to buy your friend that brand new Blu Ray player, but just a couple dollars to any one of these fantastic charities will be enough to make a huge difference this holiday season.

5 of the Best Ways to Save Money with Your Morning Routine

If you are looking to cut a little spending out of your budget and save some money, you can start with your morning routine. Only a couple hours after waking up, most people have already spent an enormous amount of money, though, they often never recognize these expenses. Here are five ways to start the day off with savings.

1. Save on the water you use

The average shower in the U.S. lasts a little more than eight minutes and uses more than 17 gallons of water. This is an enormous amount of water that is wasted, and it equals an extremely expensive shower. If you truly want to save money in the morning, consider taking a “military shower.” Simply turn on the water and get yourself wet, then proceed to wash yourself, only turning the water back on to rinse yourself off. While this might not be the most comfortable shower, you will end up saving a huge amount of money just because of the water that you didn't use.

2. Turn down the heat

By keeping your water heater set at 120 degrees instead of 140 degrees, you can save up to 10 percent on your heating bills, and you are unlikely to even know the difference when taking your morning shower. Turning down the heat on your water heater is also recommended if you have young children in your home, since this will prevent accidental burns and other problems.

3. Dispose of the disposable

If you are using a disposable razor to shave every morning, you could easily be spending a dollar a day, depending on the quality of your disposable and whether you use a new one each time. If you buy a shaving brush kit instead, such as those provided by The Art of Shaving, even though it may be a large initial investment, you can save a considerable amount of money for the rest of your life, and your face may thank you as well.

4. Cut out the coffee stop

If you are a coffee drinker, you can save a ton of money on your morning routine by making your own coffee at home instead of stopping at a Starbucks or some other coffee shop. A cup of coffee at a coffee shop usually costs anywhere from $1 to $2, whereas you can buy a pound of coffee for as little as $5, depending on the quality. By making your coffee at home, you can save $5 or more a week, which adds up to an enormous amount of savings.

5. Lights out -- and other efficiency tips

Before leaving the house, make sure you take stock of your energy efficiency. Make sure all lights are turned off. You also should unplug any electronics and appliances that don't need to be plugged in. Also, set your thermostat cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer during the day when you aren't home. You might also close drapes or open them depending on the season. All of these small little actions might not seem like much, but over time you might find that you are saving a huge amount of money on your energy costs.

How to Make Sure that your Investment in a Water Ionizer is Worth it

Česky: Pitná voda - kohoutek Español: Agua potable (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is a common phenomenon for water ionizer companies to make tall claims about their products. While there is nothing wrong in doing so, it does tend to get a tad problematic when they do market and promote their product in a way that puts down or demeans the existence of the rest of the products that are available in the market. Therefore, investing in the right water ionizer is crucial. When you purchase a water ionizer, it is an air water ionizer for life. Given below are some things that you need to consider before you put in your money, time and energy into a water ionizer. 

1.) Enquire about the material that has been used to produce the water ionizer:

You may not realize it but the material that goes into making a water ionizer can be a determining factor of its shelf life. Therefore, you may have invested several hundreds of dollars into a water ionizer, but if the material used for its creation is of a lower quality, it may hardly last a few months, let alone a few years. As a rule of thumb, a coat of pure titanium or platinum must be used for the water ionizer and alloys must be avoided at all costs because:

i. Platinum works best for a water ionizer and is essentially catalyst in the infamous ionization process. Alloys on the other hand, play an equally opposite role.

ii. Alloys are also known to contain traces of a plethora of other minerals ranging from copper to nickel. Although minerals in water are required to ensure overall health, the presence of too many minerals can have an exactly opposite effect on health.

2.) Keep a close eye out on the warranties that are being offered:

Ideally, some companies use the very obvious tactic of offering very tempting and alluring warranties that can easily have you attracted. You need to be extremely aware of these tactics, especially when the company that is in question is an extremely recent one. Before you purchase the air water ionizer for life, you must consider certain factors pertaining to the warranty.

For starters, knowing the number of years that a company has been in business is important as it helps you understand its credibility to a certain extent. At other times, a company may refrain from giving out complete and honest information about themselves and their existence. This is where you must realize that the company could, in fact, be shady. Therefore, if it is willingly offering a very impressive warranty, you also need to figure out the survival tactic of that particular company if it starts offering such warranty services to every single customer.

3.) The actual truth about water ionizer comparison may always remain hidden:

Usually, almost every other company explains how competitive their products are. While there is no harm in portraying your products in good light, the issues may begin to arise when a company puts down another company or shows them in a bad light by stating that their products have been tested to be the best among the glut of other products that are available. It may get increasingly shifty if this particular company in question has absolutely no proof to support their facts. Believing blindly in such companies can be detrimental to your investment and may not do you much good.

Therefore, before you spend all your hard earned money on a water ionizer, it is always advisable to do your research well so that you can avoid getting scammed.

Author’s bio:
Karl Maxwell is a marketing specialist and has been involved in the promotional campaigns of air water ionizer for life. He is also a food blogger that helps him showcase his love for baking and cooking.

Top Advantages that your Business can Enjoy from Blogging on a Regular Basis

Blog of the day once again (Photo credit: the Italian voice)

While there is a chunk of businessmen involved in blogging activities to take their business to the ;next level, there is also a section that believes that doing do is simply a waste of time and efforts. However, this is far from truth. Blogging has gained an immense amount of momentum in recent times and its popularity among the masses is commendable. Besides, the increased level of dependency on the internet has only worked immensely in the favor of blogging. The time that you spend blogging is far less whereas the results that you get from the same are monumental and one of the best things about it is the fact that it is available on a global platform. Therefore, if you are looking for a marketing platform like empower network for your business, you must certainly consider blogging for the following benefits that it is likely to offer. 

1.) The most cost-effective ways to market your business:

After social media, blogging definitely follows up as one of the most pocket friendly ways to promote your business on a global platform. There are several platforms that provide blogging services at absolutely no cost. However, if you wish to gain better control, you can opt for self-hosted blogs that are extremely affordable. Besides, the fact that this blog can be included as part of your website makes it all the more appealing as a marketing tool for your business. It is always advisable to have the name of your business as a domain name as it enhances the prospects of getting more customers and credibility.

2.) The business is likely to get more noticeable over a period of time:

When it comes to blogging for your business, it goes without saying that you need to be extremely regular in posting new and fresh content for increased credibility. Besides, when you use the right empower network and an SEO strategy, you are likely to get a better response in the search engines results page. Not just that, you may also get more linkbacks if your content is liked and appreciated by your customers and other site visitors. If you can pull off guest blogging and use high traffic sites to post content with a link back to your blog, you will get an immense amount of traffic to your blog, which eventually increases the possibility of conversion rates.

3.) Helps build a large network over a short period of time:

When it comes to any other methods of marketing your business and the business website, it is very common to invest a colossal chunk of your money to see the results. Blogging, on the other hand is a global medium that lets you connect with customers and other related companies at absolutely no cost or a very minimal amount. This network can help your business gain more customers.

4.) Increased emphasis on your products:

There are two ways in which your products can be the highlight by means of blogging. The first method is to write blog posts on the products that you sell. These blog posts should never be promotional but must offer information that will help the potential customers realize if they fit their needs. The second way to do this is by asking well known bloggers belonging to the niche that your business deals in to review the products that you have to offer. Well known bloggers are often also referred to as influential personalities as their views and opinions are highly valued. This is an excellent way to get your business and your products into focus.

Author’s bio:
Marilyn Osborne is the owner of a well known cosmetics line that uses herbal and naturally occurring elements to produce a wide range of cosmetics. She has recently worked to empower network and is offering several incentives for customers.