West Auckland 67 Henderson Valley Road Auckland City 0612 Ph: 09 8377600 Email: [email protected] Web: www.seniornet-west-auckland.org.nz September - October 2014 Newsletter Chairman’s Report Today the sun is shining and a feeling of Spring is definitely in the air. If you have not been getting to know your computer better over the last couple of months whilst the rain has been falling, it will take an even bigger effort during the coming months. Perseverance that’s the key, use it or it’s soon forgotten. A couple of weeks ago the Learning Centre tried something new, we held a complete week of Workshops. I have not as yet seen the feed back from members that was requested in regard to this, but from my own experience I feel it was a success. I’m sure that there will be areas that can be improved on should it be decided to run another one. I would like to give a gentle reminder that shortly we will be sending out forms to all members for the purpose of forming next year’s committee. There will some of the present committee resigning this year and others will need to be found to replace them. I am hoping that this year will be similar to last year, when for the first time in many years we were over subscribed. Please give it some thought as new blood is always needed, and the task is no where near as onerous as some of you may think. We all need to keep an interest in something and what more worthy cause than helping people of a similar age to learn some of the skills of the modern world. At the last monthly Kelston meeting we were once again entertained by our Federation Executive Officer: Grant Sidaway. Grant is such an interesting speaker that you cannot fail to be interested in the topic that he has chosen to talk about. On this occasion it was “Three D“ printing, what a fascinating subject this is. Grant brought along a demonstration model on which he produced a Plastic Hand, this was given to me at the end of the presentation, what I will do with it I have no idea, but anyway, thank you Grant. These machines are obviously playing a big part in modern manufacture but I still fail to see what good one would be to the average person. Perhaps someone that is interested in making certain craft items could find a use for one, but to use it for a “one off” situation would be an expensive exercise. I wonder if any of the SeniorNet Learning Centres have purchased one, maybe I should have asked Grant, because if they have, it would be interesting to know what they are teaching with it. Alan Jennings (Chairman) Bits and Bobs Time has a nasty way of creeping up on me these days! So if this is a bit of a ramble through the glen, just move on and read the rest of the newsletter. When I’ve been doing some translations recentlyon the subject of ceòl mòr, which is the traditional Highland pibroch, I was listening to a recording of the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Scotland’s most senior regiment. As you do! Then I got to wondering why their Pipe Major wears trews while the pipers wear kilts. (I haven’t yet had time to solve that question.) This reminded me that I had read that ‘old’ people were concerned (among other things like losing their pensions) that Scotland would no longer have an army to protect them, which is why they voted No. Since the Royal Regiment of Scotland is garrisoned in Edinburgh Castle, I did wonder who in their right mind might even consider invading Scotland! King Edward’s army?? No, he was defeated long ago! I was disappointed that Scotland did not achieve their independence. I was looking forward to trading in my maroon-covered EU passport for a blue-covered Scottish one. Photos of this year’s aurora borealis are starting to come my way; the aurora borealis is seen on clear nights from August onwards in Hebridean skies. And another interesting photo was of the Canadian-owned Lancaster bomber last seen flying over the Hebrides (and for the last time over the Atlantic Ocean) up to Iceland after flying with the sole British Lancaster bomber over parts of UK. And how’s this for a clever wee collie, carrying his own pipes. Monthly Meeting Remember our monthly meetings at Kelston Community Centre are held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. Circle the days on your calendar; put it in your 2014 diary now! The next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 21, 2014. Genealogy Genealogy Interest Group meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month in the foyer of the Henderson Library, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. All welcome. It is really important that members make use of this facility as the Library folk are muttering that often not enough use is made of the computers booked for GIG use on this day. It’s a case of use it or lose it, as there is a huge demand for the free computers provided by libraries. Your Tutor is Jim. To contact Jim, or for further information, phone 834 3074, The next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 28, 2014. Spring Workshop Week SeniorNet West Auckland has just held a stimulating week of workshops encouraging members to experiment – and experiment they did. iPads, laptops and SN computers came in for a thrashing – as did tutors, whose brains may never be the same again! Learners were demanding and tutors had all the answers - NOT! We were introduced to innovative ideas and exciting websites to explore. We also learnt about internet frustrations, password frustrations and tutor brain fade through lack of caffeine. Topics explored were getting library books on line, selected iPad apps, hopping around Google, streaming music, Google images, blogs, the Cloud, Facebook, templates and YouTube and anything else that happened to come up. The tutors certainly enjoyed themselves and we hope the participants did as well. Don’t feel bad if people remember you only when they need you. Feel privileged that you are like a candle that comes to their mind when there is darkness. Some Pictures from the Spring Workshops Workshops L to R: Pam Smith, Mick Dignan Pam Antill and Tutor Lorraine Bartley and Vicki Dignan Ruth Eichler Joan Wolfe Why Would You Need a 33-D Printer? If you’ve been wondering whether or not to ask Santa for one, read on. This technology uses plastic, metal and other materials to print 3-D objects like Alan’s hand. Talk to the hand, Alan! All kinds of prototypes are being created as you read, from bombs to parts for the International Space Station. And hackers are having a great time trying to sabotage U.S Defence systems. Now a car company in Arizona has created the first car designed for 3-D. This company has been producing 3-D printed skateboards, motorbikes and other vehicles for a few years now. The car has just 40 parts and the bulk of the vehicle, such as the chassis and the body was built in one piece in 44 hours. All the other parts were made by conventional methods. You shouldn’t get too many speeding tickets on the motorway in this snazzy electric car! The top speed is 64 kilometres per hour and the battery range is 193 – 241 kilometres. Buying New Equipment and Programs If members are thinking of upgrading their present computer system or starting from scratch, it would be advisable to contact SeniorNet for advice. We have had several instances recently where equipment has been purchased which is either out-of-date or totally unsuitable. At SeniorNet West Auckland we try to accommodate everyone but it is sometimes impossible to hold classes for every type of device. Remember that Noel Leeming give us a very good discount and offer assistance. They are one of our main sponsors for SeniorNet and return a percentage of sales to the Federation. Please leave your name and phone number on the SeniorNet phone 837 7600 and you will be contacted. (Thanks for the advice, Shirley) iOS 8 When iOS 7 was released I had let the notice sit for months before I got around to doing anything about it. So I thought I would download iOS8 on to my iPad while I was out one day, as it takes a wee while to download. What a frustrating exercise downloading iOS 8 proved to be. Several hours later, switching my iPad on and off, it was finally loaded but since then random odd quirks, like being unable to get onto Safari sometimes, have been popping up. The 8.0.1 update was intended to fix all the bugs in the new iOS 8 but instead it caused the new iPhone 6 to crash. (I don’t have an iPhone) Now I read that iOS 8.0.2 has been released - to fix the bugs, to fix the bugs, to fix the bugs! I have decided to leave well alone at this stage. Facebook Features are Optional Facebook turns features on by default; some may be interesting, some may be just annoying. If a newsfeed video starts playing automatically, click on the down arrow at the far right of the screen and then on the ‘Settings’ button. From there, click on ‘Videos’ tab, then Auto-Play Videos and set it to ‘Off’. Navigate to the ‘Settings’ page again (top right arrow, then ‘Settings’). Click on ‘Privacy’ tab on the left and read the options available. Click the ‘Edit’ button for the drop-down menu and chose the best option for you. For example, you can restrict your posts to just your friends, or close friends; who you want as friends; who can look up the email address you provided. Go to ‘Settings’ again and click on Ads tab to see two options. Click the ‘Edit’ button and then on the ‘No one’ instead of ‘Friends’. ‘Ads and Friends’ is where Facebook puts you in a group that advertisers can browse. Say you and a friend share a hobby, or mention a product, Facebook takes note of that and soon there will be an advertisement close by. So, it’s like a testimonial for ‘social advertising’, if you like. Workshops We have a very good selection of Workshops on offer. These are usually two, one-hour sessions at $10.00 per person. For details please check our website. Senior Net West Auckland. In future we will email details of a Workshop and take names on a first in, first served basis rather than holding names on waiting lists. This has worked very well for our Internet Banking class with enough enquiries to hold two classes on consecutive weeks. For further information please phone the Course Co-ordinators Shirley Wakelin 817 0540 or Pam Smith 827 2156 or leave a message on the Learning Centre phone 836 7600. West Auckland Committee Members 2014 Position Name Phone Email Chairman Alan Jennings 810 9301 [email protected] Deputy Chairperson Joan Stroud 836 8770 [email protected] Course Co-ordinator Shirley Wakelin 817 0540 [email protected] Course Co-ordinator Pam Smith 827 2156 [email protected] Secretary Terry Massey 838 6206 [email protected] Treasurer Elaine Woodward 832 4248 [email protected] Newsletter Cathie Macleod 813 1001 [email protected] Speakers Carol Sinkinson 817 9647 [email protected] Hospitality Michaela Baxter 416 4173 [email protected] General Lydia Nabney 838 5616 [email protected] Publicity Glenys Yates 827 2336 [email protected] Tutor Co-ordinator Lorraine Bartley 818 8014 [email protected] Computer Maintenance John Mihaljevic 836 1504 [email protected] Web Master Peter Culpan 834 5124 [email protected] Office Administrator Sarah Wayman 818 8472 Membership Secretary Nathalie Marshall 832 3436 [email protected] Mark Argent: We specialise in coming to you for computer service & repair. Upgrades, repairs, Internet, networking, new PCs etc. For anything computer, talk to your Computer Troubleshooter. Phone: workshop 835 0479, mobile 027 284 0479 Remember – 20% off all labour charges on presentation of current SeniorNet West Auckland membership card. (Applies to West Auckland residents only) Disclaimer: Some of our Club members who have specialised computer knowledge voluntarily give help to those with computer problems and also give advice about purchasing computers etc. It is essential that members of SeniorNet are aware that such help and advice imposes no responsibility or liability either on those members who provide such help and assistance or on SeniorNet West Auckland Inc. Acknowledgement: We acknowledge the support of the major sponsors of our Learning Centre: The Trusts Community Foundation (TTCF). Our main benefactors, assisting their local community. (Disclaimer: any website addresses or suggestions given in the newsletters are FYI, ‘for your information’ only. They are not necessarily recommendations and may be used, or not, at your discretion. Ed) Ed The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm. Aldous Huxley