Way off Topic --

Hi All-
I know this is Way off topic but I think some of you might be able to help me--

I am looking for mac training for my 90 year old father--

He is a smart man - he was in the Air force and flew everything
from B29s to B52s for over 20 years--

I have spent the last day searching for ether Apple training online
or on DVD - and only came up with a class that teaches
Sponge Bob square pants video game training from AARP
--Im not kidding-

What my father needs is Basic mac computer training that
is geared toward Learning net surfing using a Mac and Fire fox--
and is presented in Plain English --

Terms like Booting up - Hard drive -Browser- Ram ect are confusing --

I looked at the Video Professor and Lynda.com Youtube ect and have
not found anything that is at his level --

Good Will has training classes but they are
only for Windows ---

My father is not scared to click any button--OucH
so he digs himself into holes that can take me
hours of phone conservation to get him out
of the hole he is in --

I know this is way off topic but you guys are the Smartest
people I know online so I figured you may be able to help me--

Thanks for your time--Jay--

Senior Centers often have classes assuming he can get to the place to take a class. Probably Windows only I'd think. But with budget cuts who knows if they exist anywhere anymore. You are right though in that there is a niche market here that is not being addressed. Maybe there is not enough demand? Mac User Groups in the area can provide help here. Where does he live?

Michael Horton
-------------------

It really sounds to me like you have a student with the opposite problem of most. Most people are so unfamiliar with commands that they freeze up. Your father sounds like he's too bold and does too many things that get in into jams, requiring you to help him backpedal.

Web surfing is not that complex. So what I'd suggest is that you put a fence around him -- teach him only the commands he needs and "forbid" him from bumbling into other things. Out of a web browser's hundreds of functions, I'm willing to bet most of us only use maybe two dozen -- going to a location, setting preferences, uploading files, downloading files, playing media, force quit, multiple windows, setting security options, clearing caches, deleting cookies, etc. Really doesn't sound like you need a "comprehensive tutorial", which would probably only confuse him.


www.derekmok.com

For 99$ have your dad go the closest Mac store and get training for a year.
[www.apple.com]

i think apple stores may have various workshops for joe-average user types.

Hi All

Thanks for your help--My dad lives in El Paso TX -
Its one of the least computer knowledgeable cities in the US-- Seriously--

On craigs list there is only a hand full of computers for sale in EP-

Here in Austin TX there is 1000s of computer listings per day--

My dad bought a HD TV and the installer that circuit city sent out
could not hook it up correctly and he charged $100 --(15 minutes)

Lucky the Time warrener cable installer fixed it for free --

There is not a apple store in El Paso -- but I will call the few stores
that sell Apple in EP and see what they offer --

Thanks Guys--Jay--

Seriously check to see if there is a mac user group in EP. If there is, they are the ones to deal with. Most of the members will be senior citizens.

Michael Horton
-------------------

I already love your Dad.

He sounds like my kinda guy.

I too have problems with booting up, or booting anything at all -- including booting myself.

Best wishes in your search which, by the way, you started here on a board brimming with kind, knowledgeable and good willed people.

Harry

Hi All

There is a Mac users group in El Paso and I have contacted them -
and they may be just what my dad is looking for--
Thanks to All of you for your help--

I am really Amazed that there is not training for Seniors Citizens --
There is a Nitch market for simple training like this --

Older people have most of the money --
my father would gladly pay what ever the cost --

Something like Lynda.com for older people would make
Large $$--

Someone could make these training videos on there down time
and make piles of extra cash --

All of my Family use is only Macs so thats at least a dozen --
But the others Family members dont know how to to explain
things in the right way over the phone--


But after helping my dad over the phone for many hours I found that if
using terms that they can relate to they pick it up
much faster --

Like explaining what a Hard drive is-

Its a big File cabinet where all your things are stored-
The Blue folders is where your computer puts your pictures
The red folder is where your music is stored -
the yellow is where all of your emails are stored ect--

I also always tell him the location of where the Buttons are-

Something like - Now up in the top left hand corner of
your screen there is a Blue apple -
click on it one time with the left mouse button--

Like Harry323 says
this board brimming with kind, knowledgeable and good willed people-

Thanks for your help --Jay--

As mentioned before, try to find a good student who knows about Mac and who is able to communicate with elder people.
I'm not a student anymore, but two years ago I did a class for "the retired" using FCE and Mac -- we all had a lot of fun. The good thing was that those guys (no female except the girl friends watching) helped each other to communicate in "their language".
They meanwhile have a small private user group.

Just an idea.

Andreas

Quote
I am really Amazed that there is not training for Seniors Citizens --
There is a Nitch market for simple training like this --

Me too. The dummies books try too hard to cover everything and well, they are a book and not visual which is what all new computer users need.

Yeah, there is a huge market out there for seniors as well as a huge need, and only UGs seem to have tapped into it.

Andreas had the right idea. Get them together, teach them what you know and hope then they all go off together and keep learning. It's the TOGETHER part that is missing right now. That is where UGs come in. They got phone banks.



Michael Horton
-------------------

Too bad there isn't an Apple Store in El Paso maybe one will be there soon. The One To One program by Apple is by far the best way to learn and the deal of the century. Members are trained one on one with professionals that are really trained to teach to older users as they are the bulk of the one to one members. They also teach kids and anyone in between. User Groups are a great resource as well.

------------------------
Dean

"When I see you floating down the gutter I'll give you a bottle of wine."
Captain Beefheart, Trout Mask Replica.

Hi All

Hey Michael you were spot on with the Idea of finding a Apple users group
in El Paso --

I called them up and you are right the group is mostly senior citizens -

I talked with the lady that runs the group --
Super nice and friendly --

She told me that many of there members are in there 70s
One man drives 90 miles each way to go to there meetings --

Thanks for All of your help --Jay--