Computer Tips for SENIORS – Book Review
Review: by Gregory West
prospector16 (at) gmail.com
PC and Mac Instructor
Tech Columnist
http://gregorywest.wordpress.com
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Computer Tips for Seniors
by Pamela Tabak
Published by Computer Tutor Inc. 2009
Cover Design by Linda Gonse
Pages: 204
USA: $24.95 plus shipping
www.computertutorinc.net/order.htm
All too often we find ourselves sinking in the mystery sea called Windows. We know what we would like to do but just can’t figure out the “how”. The further we click through our computers the worse our adventure becomes. We end up at a DEAD END, completely frustrated to the point of never wanting to turn the computer on ever again.
Several years ago Pamela Tabak, better known as “The Computer Tutor” started helping seniors with their computer issues. Pamela began offering a free 24/7 help desk. She would have people email her their computer problem and guaranteed to return an answer within 24 hours at no charge. Of course this took off quickly and became a huge success.
Born from this concept of an email help desk, Pamela developed a book comprising of some of the most popular, nagging, questions that were asked. In Pamela’s words she explains the book’s conviction as “easy answers to frequently asked questions”.
This book comes with easy to read and view coloured graphics depicting each step in the solutions process. There are three main sections: Knowledge Base, How To, and of course Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
The “Knowledge Base” section deals with topics such as ergonomics, the health of both you and your computer. There is an interesting section on whether to “Recycle or Reuse Your Old Computer”; a section we all should read up on. The book does an excellent job of covering most other areas of computing topics including computer maintenance, Internet security, Flash Drives, Web Browsers, Ebay and Emailing.
As I went through this book finding things I already knew, I found myself wondering what type of answer would go with the question, and then finding out various things I had either forgotten or didn’t know existed. Going the extra mile, as Pamela does in this book, she has include several little “Tip” bits where you find yourself gathering even more quick and helpful information.
Whether you are a senior who is just starting out in the world of computing, or you have been around the block a few times with your hard drive; this book is a great read and a good reference book to keep nearby the desktop.
