Category Archives: Older Workers

Email Clutter: How to Organize and Tidy Up Your Inbox

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My Email Helper

Wouldn’t it be great if you had a tool that would take care of your Inbox email clutter automatically by filing it into categories so that you could find it quickly when you need it again?  I bet,  chances are your mail is removed from your Inbox automatically to your ‘OLD MAIL’ folder, and you still haven’t found a quick way of locating it.

If you’re a Baby Boomer you probably started out using AOL email and have not switched because you’re comfortable with, and understand how to navigate in the AOL mail environment. However, although there are tools to organize email, most of us are filing those ‘precious’ e-mail items  right there with the newly received mail. I looked at some of the Help Contents in AOL, and decided on  guidelines I think you might find useful.  At the end of this Post you can click the link provided in the Note box to get  detailed descriptions on how to do other sorting options in AOL email.

However, if you are not an AOL email user try applying the SORT technique shown below to your email program, or search your email Help for guidance.  I guarantee once you learn how to use SORT, your Inbox will be easier to manage.

 • Before I cover how to  file email items into Folders, I suggest you become familiar with the SORT option. Below is a quick tip on how to manage your mail items: Using Sort

For this example we will sort using the most often viewed columns when reading mail:  From, Subject, and Date:  Click the image below with your mouse  to see a larger illustration.

Click a column heading to sort by that category

After you complete those sorts, try  clicking the paper clip icon,  and see what happens. 

See you at the next Post when I will cover how to file those emails into Folders. I suspect by the next Post you will have learned other features about sorting your email.

I hope this is helpful 🙂

Note:  Sorting your email list makes it easier for you to prioritize your emails. You can sort the messages in your online mailbox by email address, time of arrival, subject heading, and type of email (email from people you know, from bulk senders, and unknown senders). Your emails in Classic AOL Mail are automatically sorted by date, but did you know you can also sort your messages by sender, read or unread messages, and emails that you’ve flagged?
For more detail click the link below.
via How do I sort emails in Classic AOL Mail? – AOL Help.

For Older Workers: How To Update Your Computer Skills

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What is your computer skills IQ?

Being an older worker does have some competitive advantages.  It also brings valuable resources to the working environment. However, as older workers we should  prepare to hone our job working skills for today’s job market. Many office environments use Microsoft applications. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook e-mail are just some of the programs used by office professionals today.

I have come to rely on some very helpful sites to aid me in acquiring competitive skills as an office professional. To support you in finding resources fordeveloping new skills, or upgrading your skills, I have connected my Blog to some of the best HELP around for developing computer skills.

Those sites are listed at the Blogroll on the right side of the screen. All you have to do is click the link, and you will be able to explore what the website has available to help you become proficient or even an expert using various software skills.

Below is a brief description of what those sites can offer.

Certiport.com

Certiport offers individuals current and relevant digital skills and credentials for the competitive global workforce. These solutions include the official Microsoft Office certification programs, the Microsoft Technology Associate certification program, the Adobe® Certified Associate certification program, the CompTIA Strata™ IT Fundamentals, the Intuit QuickBooks Certified User certification program and the Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®), delivered by more than 10,000 Certiport Centers worldwide via Certiport | Home – Certify to Succeed.

ShaunaKelly.com

I have found this word processing help the best of the many sites I visit frequently.  If you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced WORD user, I believe you will find this is a very useful resource.  Just click the link on my Blogroll to use the Word help.


Your body posture is important!

ERGONOMICS I have covered the reasons for having the correct body language at the computer.  Some of you may have already suffered from the stress of working at a computer device all day.  If you are new or an experienced computer user, it is important to have the correct posture when working. If you can’t manage the best posture, you may at least find the exercises provided at this site will help you with relieving some discomforts.  Just click the body language link on my Blogroll.

I hope this is helpful.  See you at the next Post!   🙂

Why I Blog

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Thoughts from: @autocreate740

I invited someone to look at my Blog recently, just to tell him that I am doing something new.  He happens to be somewhat computer literate. When I heard back from him, he wanted to know what he was looking for.

Ha!

After receiving that response, I wondered how many Bloggers are out there, who are feeling lonely, and become discouraged about blogging because NO One is reading, or viewing, let alone, commenting, or ‘liking’ their Blogs.

I’ve been blogging since May 2011.  As of October 1, I will have started my 6th month, so it seems right to check what I am doing at Tech4Boomers.com, and to confirm for myself what I think I’m doing.

♦ I have been interested in technology, after leaving a career in film and television, for about 25 years now.  My true ‘likes’ are Outlook Email, and oddly enough,  Word Processing.  I am an iPhone/iPad ‘groupie’. I also dabble in PowerPoint. I Love Apps!

♦ Blogging is my newest avocation; I enjoy learning about this new (for me) technology. It’s a wonderful challenge to acquire a new computer skill, and it seems to be very popular with young people, and that’s always good.  I mean staying in touch with the young people; they are our future. 🙂

♦ I am a Baby Boomer.  Most of my friends are trying to get away from the computer, and would rather not learn yet another thing that involves a computer challenge.  I truly like WordPress.com. And, that I was able to start blogging for free! was truly a treat.  🙂

♦ Blogging provides a way for creativity on my own terms.  I can cover the topics I find interesting, put my artwork in, say it the way I feel I want to, and that gives me a wonderful feeling of freedom.

♦ Blogging keeps me informed and connected with an outside world.  I find it intriguing to read what others are thinking.  Blogging is a universal ‘connection’ tool.

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What is Tech4Boomers designed to do?  Here’s what I think briefly:

♦ It’s an electronic newsletter, where, once a week I post something I think  is worthwhile knowing. It’s also a reference guide for me 🙂

♦ It attempts to simplify technical issues for my generation, and younger people who want to learn something about Twitter, Linkedin, WiFi, 3G, iPhones, iPads,  Blackberry phones, Apps, and various other computer related topics.

♦ It’s designed to give a knowledge  level to those who are not ‘computer savvy’, but would like to know more.

♦ It’s designed to help others when possible.

♦ It’s fun for me!

In addition to providing a platform for me to improve my skills overall, and blogging skills in particular, this activity allows me to introduce friends and family to the blogging experience:  What is it? How does it work? What is its reach, and knowing is it a worthwhile undertaking.

So here’s the conclusion: I’ve decided to continue! 🙂  I hope this was helpful in further clarifying what Tech4Boomers is about.

See you at the next post !

ZAAG Keyboard Function Keys Defined

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Hmm ZAAG Keyboard Function (F) Keys

I trust those ZAAG Keyboard demonstrations that were in last week’s Post were helpful.

Now that you have had an opportunity to see the ZAAG  keyboard YouTube demonstrations, I thought I would give you a short description of the function keys for your reference.  These shortcuts can save you a lot of time when you are working on your iPad.



I hope this is helpful 🙂

Twitter for Android Phone Users

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As I searched for the best Mobile Twitter App for Android, what I discovered is the best app to use is the one endorsed by Twitter itself.  This app is free of charge, and can be found at the Android Market. Just click the link below.

  Twitter – Android Market


After you install the Twitter app, I suggest that you use the guidelines I found written by Dan Gookin, which explain how the program works for the Android phone.  These guidelines will be least confusing, and give illustrations, which explain the various parts of the screens (please don’t take the name of the article personally).  I have found articles by Dan Gookin, and by other authors in the ‘Dummies” book series, very helpful. Click the line after the word via.

How to Use Twitter on Your Droid X

By Dan Gookin

You can use Twitter through your Droid X to share your existence with others or simply to follow what others are up to or thinking. You can create a Twitter account by using your Droid, but it’s a lot more work that just using a computer. After you create a Twitter account, use the Twitter app on your phone to view Twitter updates or to tweet.

A good Twitter app was developed by the Twitter people themselves. The Twitter app is free and available at the Android Market.

The Twitter application provides an excellent interface to many Twitter tasks. The two most basic tasks, however, are reading and writing tweets.

via How to Use Twitter on Your Droid X – For Dummies.

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For those of you who want to do a bit more research, check out the article below by TechShout, posted August 2011.

8 Best Twitter apps for Android phones to download – TechShout.

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This post completes the sessions for using Twitter on your cell phones.  I hope this is helpful 🙂

Wow, I miss those good old phone days!

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The Good Old Phone Days!

BOOMER Trivia

I was just thinking about how much I miss the good old phone days. Don’t you?  I remember those cute phone booths, and waiting in line to use one. Wasn’t that so much fun? How about the other great things we no longer get to experience with the older phones.

Cheap Calls !

Let’s just think of a few: Remember those 10 cent calls, and the ‘friendly operator’ who would come on the line and tell you a nickel was due if you wanted to continue the call.  Who reminds you that you’ve gone over your limit these days before it’s too late?

Party Lines !

What about: ‘Party Lines’?   You could get a phone and share the cost with a neighbor.  It’s possible that some  of us did not even know who the other party person was we were sharing the line with. And guess what, mostly people did not eavesdrop on your conversations!

What a good workout!

And those phones never broke! They were so heavy, you could get a workout and talk at the same time.

  What do you miss about the good old phone days ?
See you at the next Post 😉

How to use Twitter from your BlackBerry – Simple Help

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How do I find a Twitter mobile app?

As I mentioned in last week’s post, Twitter mobile apps are probably among the more widely used for sending Tweets, and for keeping up-to-date with what’s happening on Twitter.  This week we cover how to use one of the most popular Twitter mobile apps recommended by Simple Help, a blog I often go to for information about various Social Media guidelines.  Simple Help provides easy to follow  illustrations, which I expect you will find useful in loading a Twitter app on your Blackberry phone.    Be aware:  these guidelines assume that you understand how find the web browser on your Blackberry device.  If you are not familiar with these techniques, now would be a good time to check out the manual for your phone.  You can find  Blackberry manuals at this link –  BlackBerry Smartphones – Manuals and Guides.

Twitter for Blackberry Users

Loading Twitterberry

This tutorial will guide you through every step of installing and using TwitterBerry, arguably the most popular Twitter client for BlackBerry devices.

1. First up, launch whatever web browser you use on your BlackBerry. Head over to http://orangatame.com/ota/twitterberry (or http://bit.ly/jE4rM – which is just a shortened version of the same link). After scrolling through the text, select the Download Now button. Then when prompted, click the Download button on your BlackBerry screen.

via How to use Twitter from your BlackBerry – Simple Help

I hope this is  helpful ! 

Twitter via Smartphones: An Introduction

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How do you network socialize?

In this week’s post we are focusing on Twitter Mobile Apps. As we discussed in a earlier post, mobile apps allow you to use the Internet and social media environments.


Here is a description I found, written by Amy Gahran, which explains mobile apps.  Please click on the link to her website for a more detailed description.

What are mobile apps?

A mobile app is software that runs on a handheld device (phone, tablet, e-reader, iPod, etc.) than can connect to wifi or wireless carrier networks, and has an operating system that supports standalone software.  via What’s a mobile app? – contentious.com.

Please note:

In upcoming weeks I will continue to provide  you with links to sources that  I rely on to bring you technology information.
In computing, a hyperlink (or link) is a reference to a document that the reader can directly follow, or that is followed automatically.
via Hyperlink – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

How to use Twitter on your smartphones will have links to  Twitter Help, and  Simple Help. These are sources that I use for information frequently. However,  due to the popularity of the Simple Help site, there may be numerous advertisements on the page.  Nevertheless, the illustrations will be very easy to follow.

Also, don’t be discouraged with the new techniques required to view the information. These built-in transitions  will give you some ‘hands-on” training in navigating back and forth to more than one blog.. That’s part of what it’s all about, right?

Remember: tech4boomers is focused on helping you acquire, and familiarize yourself, with  the skill sets necessary to operate in a social media environment.. Enjoy the transitions…. Here we go…

Twitter for iPhone: An Introduction

Users who are getting started with Twitter for iPhone often have concerns about the following:

1. Where do I find the Twitter for iPhone application?

2. Will Twitter for iPhone work with my iPhone OS?

3. What’s new in the current version of Twitter for iPhone?

4. I need help with Twitter for iPhone!

5. I’m having trouble with an older version of Twitter for iPhone.

6. I want to know more!

Where do I find the Twitter for iPhone Application?

From your iPhone, click the App Store icon, type ‘Twitter’ into the search, and select Twitter for iPhone from the results.

♦ Ok folks take the next step. Click the link below for detailed illustrations and guidelines.  🙂

via Twitter Help Center | Twitter for iPhone: An Introduction.

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In coming weeks we will focus on how to use Twitter on the Blackberry, and Android Smartphones.

See you next week 🙂 !

Intro to Twitter_Tech4Boomers_Session 4

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Who’s your Twitter in-crowd?

On Twitter, it’s all about ‘who and what you Follow‘.  Following is a huge part of what’s happening in this particular social universe.

‘Following’ is a personal choice.  A good place to start is with  ‘friends’ whom you already know, in your personal ‘social circle’, those who are also Tweeps.  In this way, they can guide you on how to send Tweets, and give you a sense of belonging to the Twitter community until you get comfortable with tweeting in a larger social network.  Ask your friends what their Twitter ID’s are.  Once you have the ID’s, you can search for them using the SEARCH field.  When you find an ID, click the Follow link.

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Another way to get started with Following on Twitter is to find people or publications that interest you.  When you find them, just click on the Follow button as illustrated below:

1 – In the SEARCH field, I have entered the word News.  On the right of the panel various news options appear with the word Follow next to them.

Click on the images to see a larger version.

2 – After you click on the Follow link.  Click the Back Home link to see your Timeline.

3 – When you are back at the Home screen, the News has been added to your Timeline along with everything else (Tweeps) you are following.

4 – If you do not want to Follow a particular choice (e.g., News)  anymore, type News in the search field, click the magnifying glass to start the search.  When you find what you are looking for,  click the Unfollow link.  You can also go to your Profile, view all you are following, and select to Unfollow from there.

Following is entertaining, informative,  and fun when you become part of the Twitter social network.  There is much to learn, and be a part of in this  social environment.   I hope you will join us soon 🙂

This completes our Beginner, Tech4Boomer Twitter sessions. See you next week.  🙂

To Be a Tweep or Not

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‘To be a “Tweep” or not’. There’s no question that Twitter and sending ‘Tweets‘ to your ‘Tweeps‘ is the latest social gadget we have found to entertain ourselves while doing business’. Is this the new ‘game of life?’. I wonder… On the horizon is Microsoft’s new Avatar application. We can replace our ‘real faces’ with an Avatar which looks just like us! Go figure?.. Does that mean Facebook pics will need to be replaced with Avatar pics ? Where where will the real us reside in the end?