Category Archives: FYI

Library Service In Pandemic Times

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The Pandemic has changed how we use certain facilities and their services; for many of us these changes can be challenging. For example, to acquire books from New York Public Libraries, they have a “Grab & Go…” service. You can learn more about these services at the link below:
How to Grab & Go at The New York Public Library | The New York Public Library (nypl.org)

Technology can help us manage difficult situations when we have to acquire information. I am pleased to share with you a digital APP that can help you acquire books from the library using your computer. You do not have to be in New York to access library services using “grab & go”. Take a look at this free APP when you get a chance.

Hoopla – is a Free Digital Media Service (DMS) offered by your local public library. You can borrow ebooks, music, audio books, movies and more. You can download to your computer, phones or tablets. I assure you, it is worth your time to investigate.
hoopla | streaming audiobooks, music, video & ebooks (hoopladigital.com)

Find the Hoopla App for your Smartphone at the links below:
Android:hoopla Digital – Apps on Google Play
iPhone:‎hoopla Digital on the App Store (apple.com)

SimplyE is a Free New York Public Library APP, which has e-books and audiobooks.
Android: Get Started with SimplyE for Android | The New York Public Library (nypl.org)
iPhone: ‎SimplyE on the App Store (apple.com)

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Apps for Breast Cancer

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Photo by ready made from Pexels

I am always looking for technology that helps us to lead our lives a bit more stress less in ways that we may not have thought of, especially during this challenging time of Covid19. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Keeping that in mind, I was fortunate enough to learn about these Breast Cancer Apps, many of which are Free. I am eager to share them with you.

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Computer Work at Home Health in Covid19

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Photo by Sharad kachhi from Pexels

In the past, some people who worked on computers all day in order to do their work discovered much later on that repetitive strain on their wrists could cause what is known now as “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome”, or CTS. In addition, some had neck and eye strain, as well.

Fast forward to how work is performed nowadays due to the current Pandemic. People are required to be on  their computers all day long. Zoom meetings, for example, call for computer skills, which were not necessary just six months ago. Sitting for hours staring at a computer screen is not an optimum way to work. Not to mention it causes stress on our bodies, eyes, mind – you name it.

Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay

♦ Ergonomics is a system of support methods, techniques, and equipment, which can help you.
♦ Ergonomics is a way of working, which can help to reduce injury to your body, and give you a better computer working experience at home.

I searched the www for suggestions about what you can do to make your daily computer work experience more healthful and more productive.

 Zoom Meetings:
♦ have a prepared agenda
♦ schedule short breaks if the meeting is going to be more than two hours long.
♦ stand periodically; have a 5 minute social break to relieve the monotony of looking and listening to the screen.

Image by Bella H. from Pixabay

Sources:
https://www.ergonomics.com.au/free-resources/
https://www.ergonomics.com.au/how-to-reduce-risks-of-musculoskeletal-disorders-while-working-from-home/
https://www.ergonomics.com.au/zoom-meetings-tips-for-more-productive-and-engaged-virtual-meetings/
https://www.ergonomics.com.au/office-ergonomics-checklist
https://www.themuse.com/advice/coronavirus-work-from-home-tips
https://uhs.umich.edu/computerergonomics

Expert Advice: How to Build an Accessible Education Website on WordPress.com — The WordPress.com Blog

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This post caught my attention. If you are a teacher, or part of the school administration that are figuring out how to give an education to a diverse audience, look at what WordPress has to offer.

SAVE THE DATE – August 27, 2020.  Take a Zoom Lesson at a time, which is convenient for you.

Learn best practices to create an education website that’s accessible to diverse audiences.

via Expert Advice: How to Build an Accessible Education Website on WordPress.com — The WordPress.com Blog

COVID19 & Back to School 2020 Support

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Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels

During this period of Tech4boomers has several times searched the web looking for the  “Back-to-School equipment deals”.  However, this year we are not in a ‘normal’ mode of preparations, due to the Coronavirus constraints and concerns on us and our young children, college students, and family members. We wonder how this all affects our schooling programs and learning environments.

♦ The stress factors Coronavirus has placed on our considerations for returning loved ones to school (and work) require a different kind of support.  I am certain the conversation(s) about what we should/can do about school attendance in a pandemic period in our society is something we could all use help with.
♦ If you would like to hear a conversation about these concerns, please click the link below and listen to a podcast, which gives you information on what Dr. Tyler Black has to say about how to navigate decisions for your children and family. The interview is conducted on  The Big Story podcast website.
https://thebigstorypodcast.ca/2020/08/13/what-if-back-to-school-isnt-the-best-option-for-kids/
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Mobile APPs for Hearing Aid Help

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 I am so excited to share this information with you and hope that you will share it with people who may benefit from this type of assistance.

Every so often the Tech4Boomers blog undeniably points out the reason why we continue to provide “Boomers” with technology tips we think will help them and their families.

In this post we introduce the Mobile Apps for hearing assistance.  These Apps, are designed to support seniors and other groups who suffer from hearing loss.  Did you know that the National Institute of Aging (NIH) reports one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss? In addition,  research shows that hearing loss can also lead to dementia. Hearing issues can also affect our balance.

These ‘Tech Tools’ can assist people who require hearing help when using a smartphone. The mobile apps are available for Android and iPhones and they provide smartphone captioning.

https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/47850-The-best-phone-captioning-apps-for-the-hearing-impaired

https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52548-New-research-links-hearing-loss-to-an-increased-risk-of-falls

Read more about hearing loss on my Living Senior blog. https://livingsenior.me/2020/06/30/hearing-aids-do-you-need-them-how-do-you-know/

 

 

 

 

 

Tech Health Tips in 2020

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Tech4Boomers is working on how to give you more useful info and provide you with Tech Health, Tech Social Tips, and general technology advice from diverse resources.

In this time of CoronaVirus, and with the onslaught of various ideas for the well-being of our society, we are increasingly confronted with stressful situations arising from our connections with technology devices: computers, cellphones, tablets, etc. We are turning to these devices perhaps more than we want to, but we “have to”. Stress levels are running high.

  • What can we do to ‘detach’ from this onslaught of discomfort, or at least soften, allay the feelings?
    Before I retired,   I worked for about 30 years as a ‘tech person’, i.e., Help Desk, System Administration. My days were ‘filled’ with problem solving resulting from computer issues. In those times, computer stress was a considerable concern for me and the team I worked with.
  • Flash forward to the complicated and extensively increased use of computers for our daily connection to the world. That stress is magnified in numerous ways.“For the sense of smell, almost more than any other, has the power to recall memories and it is a pity that we use it so little“. Rachel Carson

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Best SmartPhones 2019

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This year’s best smartphones are one of the things on my list to learn what are the best and new features, along  with a  reasonable price.  It looks like the Pixel 4 is a contender.
Here are some links to what people are saying.

♦ thestreet.com

Tom’s Guide has a listing of the 10 best smartphones and the features that make them good choices.
♦ https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-smartphones,review-2223.html

♥ And don’t forget that Black Friday will be here before we know it.

November 29, 2019 — Read more here: https://blackfriday.com/news/when-is-black-friday-2019

♥ Cyber Monday is December 2, 2019 — Read more here: https://www.techradar.com/cyber-monday/cyber-monday-2019

♣ https://www.calendardate.com/cyber_monday_2019.htm

 

Archiving E Mail

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Managing email is quite an undertaking these days.  If your email box gets as full – as mine does – I am sure you are looking for ways to get it under control.

Gmail users can use their ‘archive’ feature.  If you’re a Gmail user and want to understand how that tool works better, take a look at these two links.  If you’re not a Gmail user, you may want to change what you’re currently using, and switch to Gmail.

https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/google-in-the-enterprise/quick-tip-archive-old-email-in-your-gmail-inbox-the-easy-way/

 

 

Tips To Save Your Smartphone Battery

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How many times have you been in a moment where your smartphone battery is very low, but you need to use it, and you don’t have time to charge it?

We’ve all been there right?  So here are some guidelines for your Android or iPhone that will help save you from losing that power momentarily until you can get it charged.

Android Phone Users

You can have your phone turn on automatically when it’s at a low charging point.  Click the link below.

https://support.google.com/android/answer/9079240


iPhone Users:

You can use Siri to turn on low battery mode. Click the link below.

https://www.iphonelife.com/content/use-siri-turn-low-power-mode-and