GEMs

GEMs is a monthly email newsletter, listing sites on the Internet that might be of interest to U3As and their members, particularly those looking for interesting course material.

GEMs is edited by Tom Holloway of the U3A Internetwork Group in the UK and Rick Swindell of U3A Online in Australia.

The editors welcome contributions of items of possible interest. Please send your contribution to r.swindell@griffith.edu.au

Readers are free to copy any or all of the information in GEMs.

To have GEMs emailed directly to you, send an email request to r.swindell@griffith.edu.au with the following particulars:

your name
your email address
the name of your U3A

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GEMs Menu

September 2010	A site for seniors and others with little or no previous computing experience; A video about "Choice:; Looking to fill out your family tree?; How much memory does your computer need? Create Your Life Story is a new free web site; Women of Australia record your support for action on climate change ; Support call sting.; Grocery Float is coming to a country near you; RESEARCH GEMS: Distinguishing 'Senior Moments' from Alzheimer's; Brain Fitness Programs May Help Frail Elderly Walk Faster; Larger Waist Associated With Greater Risk of Death; Biochemist Proposes Worldwide Policy Change to Step Up Daily Vitamin D Intake; Light and Moderate Physical Activity Reduces the Risk of Early Death; More Time Spent Sitting Linked to Higher Risk of Death; People who lack friends and relationships are as likely to risk an early death as heavy drinkers and smokers; Consuming more fruit and vegetables most likely to ward off Dementia; Chew on This: Six Dental Myths Debunked; High Heels May Lead to Joint Degeneration and Knee Osteoarthritis; Benefits of White Button Mushrooms; To Make One Happy, Make One Busy; Male Menopause Affects More Than Five Million Men; Link Between Walking, Cycling and Health; Even Modest Weight Gain Can Harm Blood Vessels; Brain Connections Break Down as We Age; Antidepressant Can Help Treat Major Depression During Perimenopause and Menopause; Choosing Healthier Protein-Rich Foods Instead of Red and Processed Meats May Reduce Heart Disease; B Vitamins and the Aging Brain Examined; Memory Researchers Explain Latest Findings on Improving the Mind, Stopping Memory Loss; TECHNICAL GEMS How to make your youtube videos start at the part you really want; Some Bob Rankin goodies: The Next Big Thing from Microsoft, codenamed "Microsoft Xpad." Run Older Programs on Windows 7; Online free storage is one of the greatest innovations to arise from the Internet; You can digitize your analog music collection in a number of ways.
August 2010	Tips on taking better pics in the digital age; Car drivers this could save your life; Beware getting a virus on your computer; A basic overview of Twitter, Facebook etc; How and why we make choices; RESEARCH GEMS: The Effects of Wearing High Heels on Women's Legs; The Key to How We Learn and Remember; Brain Training Reverses Age-Related Cognitive Decline; Three vigorous, 40-minute walks a week over 6 months improves memory and reasoning; Memory Links to 40 Winks; Less Salt for Everybody; How much do you know about Alzheimer's disease and dementia? Fibers Created That Detect and Produce Sound; No Evidence That Popular Slimming Supplements Facilitate Weight Loss; Brain Fitness Program Study Reveals Visual Memory Improvement; Accurate Way to Predict the Age When Women Will Hit the Menopause; Obesity Harms Women's Memory and Brain Function; High Fat Diet and Risk of Prostate Cancer; Eating Foods Rich in Vitamin E Associated With Lower Dementia Risk; Low Calorie Diet Can Extend Lifespan; Fish Oil May Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer; Meditation Helps Increase Attention Span; Virgin Olive Oil and a Mediterranean Diet; Low Vitamin D Levels Associated With Cognitive Decline; FUN GEMS So you think you can dance (or play the piano)! Watch this.... TECHNICAL GEMS How do I remove a rootkit? The Chumby has over 1500 free applications;
July 2010	Electronic books; Family history for the older and wiser; More about great offer from the National Film and Sound Archives; Newsletter editors etc do you want to start your own blog; Free computer tutorials RESEARCH GEMS: Education Helps Against Dementia, Tobacco Industry Influence on Health Policy, Polyphenols in Red Wine and Green Tea Halt Prostate Cancer Growth , A Sense of Humor Helps Keep You Healthy Until Retirement Age, New Cancer Guidelines: Exercise During and After Treatment Encouraged, Coffee or Tea: Enjoy Both in Moderation for Heart Benefits, Healthy Diet Associated With Lower Risk of Cataracts in Women, Replacing White Rice With Brown Rice for Diabetes, Talking or Texting Behind the Wheel, Going Barefoot in Home May Contribute to Elderly Falls, Caring for an Elderly, Sick Spouse Sometimes Has Positive Elements, Women Who Consume Large Amounts of Tea Have Increased Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Mediterranean-Style Diet Improves Heart Function, Twin Study Shows, Princeton University findings have memory implications, FUN GEMS: Tale of two brains, See the first assembly lines at the original Ford. TECHNICAL/COMPUTER GEMS: Magnetic hard drives, Add more memory to your computer , Fake security tool, Build your own computer from components, Getting multiple gadgets online, 2020 outlook.
June 2010	Toxic frypans and microwavable plastics; Free desktop organiser called Dexpot; Useful document finder; LingoMatch, brings people together when they want to learn a new language; The National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) has a great lending library; Download YouTube videos; New Google TV - demo; How do I adjust or magnify my screen for easier viewing?"; A free web-based service for rounding corners off your digital images; RESEARCH GEMS: Toddlers and TV: Brain training games yield no improvement... Exercise Can Forestall Osteoporosis; Early Death by Junk Food? Anti-Aging Supplements; To Learn Better, Take a Nap; Surgical Options for Female Incontinence; Body's Response to Repetitive Laughter; Botox Reduces Wrinkles; Exercise Therapy for Low Back Pain; FUN GEMS Can you raed tihs? Cardboard record player; TECHNICAL GEMS How Do Digital Signatures Work? FREE Optical Character Recognition; Getting data from your old computer to Windows 7 Record your teaching;
May 2010	Free online art courses; Handy hints for buying a portable hard drive; Cut printing costs by choosing another font; Is It Safe To Use Credit Cards Online? Early adopters of Windows 7 are "very satisfied"; Buying a laptop? Cancer Protective Effect of Fruits and Vegetables; Exercise for people with depression and anxiety disorders; Aging motorcyclists on the road; Why People Forget to Take Their Medicine; Dance Therapy; Brief Meditative Exercise Helps Cognition; Researchers Identify Secrets to Happiness; Poisoning by Prescription Drugs on the Rise; Fish Oil Supplements Provide No Benefit; Fun Gems; Google Wave – a new open source medium for collaboration; A lightning strike has fried your computer; iPad vs Netbook; Selecting great portable speakers for your computer
April 2010	Editor's new email address; eBooks Readers are all the rage; eBook Readers are expensive and the technology is changing rapidly; Poetry classes and enthusiasts should check the Poetry Archive; Overweight Middle-Aged Adults are at Greater Risk for Cognitive Decline in Later Life; Remember Magnesium If You Want to Remember: Midday Nap Markedly Boosts the Brain's Learning Capacity; Dementia in Extreme Elderly Population Expected to Become Epidemic; Several FUN Gems; Netbook or Notebook and what are the differences between them? PDFmyURL is an easy online tool
March 2010	15 Internet annoyances and how to fix them; A reminder of why you must back up regularly; U3A Sunshine Coast writers competition; Who was Kilroy? Learning a musical instrument is good for the brain; Learn new computer skills; More on the Broadband for Seniors project; A free program that can enlarge your photos; Common computer cleanup mistakes; Exercise for older women ... better life; Video Games May Help Combat Depression in Older Adults; "Progressive walking" and glucosamine; A Mediterranean diet helps; Learn the non-obvious secrets of the taskbar; How to update your device drivers; Replacing a hard drive in your desktop or laptop computer is pretty simple; Five things perhaps you didn't know Windows 7 could do; 64-bit computer with 64-bit Windows...?
February 2010	Caring for a person with dementia? The Positive Aging Newsletter; How do people change over time? - Research study; Handy resource from UCLA; Annual membership statistics for U3As in Australia and NZ; Never use commercial glass cleaners on your LCD screens; How good are you at “eyeballing” positions? Online art courses Understanding Colour, Botanical Art and Pen and Wash; Enhancing informal learning in care settings; 2010 NSW U3A State Network Conference; Volunteering may delay or reverse declining brain function; Mental exercises such as word games, puzzles, reading, and lectures can reduce memory loss; The Hallelujah Chorus as you’ve never seen it before; "Ukraine’s Got Talent" - an amazing YouTube; Attention retarded grandparents! 26 classic tricks, utilities, and shortcuts for XP, Vista, or Windows 7; The Data Doctors have advice about Wifi networks; All about Wireless networks.
January 2010	Web based Signposts - GEMs; Some effective anti-spam tools; How to set up free GMail; Article about brain training - is it scientific? How to catalogue all those digital photos; Tips on setting up a website; Rudolf should eat healthily - no more mince pies; Cards for 'having a doctor in the house'; Difference between hub, switch and router; Use a one-time email address;
December 2009	Executive summary of The Successful Ageing organisations in Aus & NZ; Calculate the value of volunteer activities; the international The international U3A conference in India next February; Summaries of the latest research written for the lay person; An illustrated easy guide to producing your own web friendly newsletter; Email your newsletters; Find a local expert to help solve your computer problem; How long could you live?; Some handy hints to help get better pictures; Buy a gift membership of U3A Online for $25; When setting up a new computer give NiNite a try! Technical tips; Read the negative comments about the recent version of the free AVG 9.0 anti-virus software; Toying with the idea of Ubuntu or need a primer?
November 2009	International U3A conference in India next February; Tips for volunteers, extroverts and joiners; Self paced learning materials from The Open University; The 55 page report of U3A's in Aus & NZ; U3A art classes - online courses for watercolour/oil painting; Gift an annual membership of U3A Online for $25; Fences is a great free program that automatically clusters similar items; Ready-to-print PDF cheat sheets for commonly used computer applications; New Dell laptop that charges the battery wirelessly; My Data is Gone, How Do I Recover It? Press F11 function!
October 2009	Build your own free Google website; Learn how to take and edit digital photographs; Simplify computing for beginners; Errata: "Free Computer Lessons Online"; What to do if you drop your phone in water; Saving money on inkjet printers and cartridges; New U3A Online courses; Openoffice v MS Office; Create a backup image of your hard drive

September 2010

Ins and outs of personal computing
Check this out. “This site is for us seniors and others with little or no previous computing experience. I will attempt to show you some of the ins and outs of personal computers using simplified terms, examples, pictures and videos, in easy-to-understand English".

Gems and "Choice"
If you enjoyed the video GEM about *Choice* in the August GEMs you’ll probably enjoy this even more. (ty Ted Webber U3A Online)

Looking to fill out your family tree?
Looking to fill out your family tree? Bob Rankin has a quick primer. Alternatively U3A Online has a comprehensive 8 unit self-paced course that takes you through the whole process. http://www.u3aonline.org.au

How much memory does your computer need?
How much memory does your computer need? A non-technical Bob Rankin article that most readers might like

Create Your Life Story is a new free web site
I wish I had have recorded my relative before they passed away, alas it’s now too late. ” Create Your Life Story is a new free web site incorporating audio and video to help people learn how to record, edit and publish Life Stories. There’s even a free e-book

Women of Australia record your support for action on climate change
Women of Australia record your support for action on climate change. (ty Maggie – U3AOnline)

Support call sting.
Support call sting. A convincing type of support-desk scam is hitting British computer owners. Fraudsters based in India are cold-calling users and telling them that Microsoft has detected a virus on their PC ... the caller asks for payment of £185 to clean up the infestation. (ty Zen Newsletter)

Grocery Float is coming to a country near you.
Grocery Float is coming to a country near you. Amazon has launched a new food department alongside the books and electronics that made its name. Around 22,000 items will be offered.(ty Zen Newsletter)

RESEARCH GEMs
Distinguishing 'Senior Moments' from Alzheimer's http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100810131630.htm o Brain Fitness Programs May Help Frail Elderly Walk Faster http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100810151028.htm o Larger Waist Associated With Greater Risk of Death http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100809161126.htm o Biochemist Proposes Worldwide Policy Change to Step Up Daily Vitamin D Intake http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100809133325.htm o Why More Education Lowers Dementia Risk http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100725203914.htm o Light and Moderate Physical Activity Reduces the Risk of Early Death http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100723112713.htm o More Time Spent Sitting Linked to Higher Risk of Death; Risk Found to Be Independent of Physical Activity Level http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100722102039.htm o People who lack friends and relationships are as likely to risk an early death as heavy drinkers and smokers (ty Nancy Pachana, U of Queensland) http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/29/2967353.htm o Eliminating Diabetes, Depression, Consuming more fruit and vegetables, and Boosting Education, Most Likely to Ward Off Dementia http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100805204003.htm o Chew on This: Six Dental Myths Debunked http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100805103926.htm o High Heels May Lead to Joint Degeneration and Knee Osteoarthritis http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100802141901.htm o Benefits of White Button Mushrooms http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100729101609.htm o To Make One Happy, Make One Busy http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100729101615.htm o Male Menopause Affects More Than Five Million Men http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100820115050.htm o Link Between Walking, Cycling and Health http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100819162633.htm o Even Modest Weight Gain Can Harm Blood Vessels http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100818112703.htm o Brain Connections Break Down as We Age, Study Suggests http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100818151822.htm o Antidepressant Can Help Treat Major Depression During Perimenopause, Menopause, Study Shows http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816155004.htm o Choosing Healthier Protein-Rich Foods Instead of Red and Processed Meats May Reduce Heart Disease http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816162631.htm o B Vitamins and the Aging Brain Examined http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100817134302.htm o Memory Researchers Explain Latest Findings on Improving the Mind, Stopping Memory Loss http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100815111456.htm

TECHNICAL GEMS
o How to make your youtube videos start at the part you really want and other practical hints plus an easy way to save YouTube and most other videos to almost any device (ty Zen newsletter) http://tinyurl.com/2c8bpxc o Some Bob Rankin goodies. The Next Big Thing from Microsoft, code-named "Microsoft Xpad." http://tinyurl.com/2ad962s Run Older Programs on Windows 7 http://tinyurl.com/243arqu Online free storage is one of the greatest innovations to arise from the Internet. http://tinyurl.com/2bm2p8x o You can digitize your analog music collection in a number of ways, but however you do it, it's a hassle. And it always results in disappointing sound quality http://tinyurl.com/23yvhsk

August 2010

Tips on taking better pics in the digital age
Tips on taking better pics in the digital age including the world’s cheapest tripod (ty Data Doctors)

Car drivers this could save your life.
Car drivers this could save your life. Watch this 2 minute video to show you the correct way of adjusting your car mirrors so there’s no blind spot (ty David Wilson U3A Online)

Beware a warning on your computer that it is infected
Beware if you get a warning on your computer that it is infected or loaded with a virus

A brief explanation of Twitter, Facebook etc
Here’s a very basic, brief explanation of the social networking services - Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin (ty NEAT Network)

How and why we make choices
This fascinating 20 minute video explains how and why we make choices (ty Ros Foskey; NEAT)

RESEARCH GEMS
The Effects of Wearing High Heels on Women's Legs http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100715194407.htm Uncovering the Key to How We Learn and Remember - potential for Alzheimer’s treatment http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100628101450.htm Brain Training Reverses Age-Related Cognitive Decline http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100720091153.htm Three vigorous, 40-minute walks a week improves memory and reasoning and spurs the birth of new brain neurons. (ty Ros Foskey NEAT network) http://www.newsweek.com/2010/06/18/this-is-your-brain-aging.html Memory Links to 40 Winks http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100630162359.htm Less Salt for Everybody http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100715091702.htm How much do you know about Alzheimer's disease and dementia? Test your health IQ to find out. (ty Nancy Pachana – U of Queensland) http://abcmail.net.au/t/926074/614256/16338/0/ Fibers Created That Detect and Produce Sound http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100712115106.htm No Evidence That Popular Slimming Supplements Facilitate Weight Loss, New Research Finds http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100712103445.htm Brain Fitness Program Study Reveals Visual Memory Improvement in Older Adults http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100714190138.htm Accurate Way to Predict the Age When Women Will Hit the Menopause http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100627201251.htm Obesity Harms Women's Memory and Brain Function http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100714112832.htm High Fat Diet and Risk of Prostate Cancer http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100714151751.htm Eating Foods Rich in Vitamin E Associated With Lower Dementia Risk http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100712162556.htm Low Calorie Diet Can Extend Lifespan Even If Adopted Later in Life http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100715193749.htm Fish Oil May Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100708071349.htm Meditation Helps Increase Attention Span http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100714121737.htm Virgin Olive Oil and a Mediterranean Diet Fight Heart Disease by Changing How Our Genes Function http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100630111035.htm Low Vitamin D Levels Associated With Cognitive Decline http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100712162554.htm

FUN GEMS
So you think you can dance (or play the piano)! Check this out. Redneck skydiver (ty David Wilson U3A Online) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOUU1117yfk p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QQzbCmlZM4 (ty Mags U3A Online)

TECHNICAL/COMPUTER GEMS
How do I remove a rootkit? It’s difficult says Bob Rankin but here’s a tool that worked for him. http://tinyurl.com/2fqcm6n The Chumby - It’s an alarm clock; it’s an internet portal; it’s a news service; it’s a digital picture frame. In fact the Chumby has over 1500 free applications https://store.chumby.com/ (ty Your Lifechoices newsletter)

July 2010

Electronic books
Electronic books are likely to be a boon for those who love to read and particularly so for disabled people, the frail elderly and those with poor eyesight. Here's my review of a recently purchased Amazon Kindle.

Family history for the older and wiser
Family history for the older and wiser is one of several “older and wiser” titles in a new series of books published by Wiley in partnership with The Third Age Trust (ty Ted Webber U3A Online and U3A Sunshine Coast)

More about great offer from the National Film and Sound Archives
Here are more details of the great offer from the National Film and Sound Archives for organisations. Mention in your correspondence with your volunteers - many will be interested in these resources.

Start your own blog
Newsletter editors etc do you want to start your own blog but you're not sure how? Send text, photos, videos and MP3s, and this helpful tool will arrange them all in your blog without the need for any previous experience or technical know-how. (ty Zen newsletter)

Free computer tutorials
Free computer tutorials

RESEARCH GEMS
Education Helps Against Dementia, Swedish Study Finds - http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100531082855.htm Tobacco Industry Influence on Health Policy http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100528092025.htm Polyphenols in Red Wine and Green Tea Halt Prostate Cancer Growth http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100609171802.htm A Sense of Humor Helps Keep You Healthy Until Retirement Age http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100604073717.htm New Cancer Guidelines: Exercise During and After Treatment Encouraged http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100601124131.htm Coffee or Tea: Enjoy Both in Moderation for Heart Benefits http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100618170916.htm Healthy Diet Associated With Lower Risk of Cataracts in Women http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100614161401.htm Replacing White Rice With Brown Rice or Other Whole Grains May Reduce Diabetes Risk http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100614161349.htm Talking or Texting Behind the Wheel Is Roughly Equivalent to Driving Drunk http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100609171748.htm Going Barefoot in Home May Contribute to Elderly Falls http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100623085516.htm Caring for an Elderly, Sick Spouse Sometimes Has Positive Elements http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100622112702.htm Women Who Consume Large Amounts of Tea Have Increased Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100618081323.htm Mediterranean-Style Diet Improves Heart Function, Twin Study Shows http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100615163131.htm Princeton University findings have implications for the development of treatments that prevent devastating losses in memory that so often occur with age (ty Nancy Pachana, The University of Queensland) http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S27/42/23K29/

FUN GEMS
Tale of two brains. Five minute video. (ty David Wilson U3A Online) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxtUH_bHBxs This is a great video showing the first assembly lines at the original Ford auto plant. Neat to see those guys making the old wooden wheels, by hand. The places that car could go is amazing (ty David Wilson U3A Online) http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?video_id=S4KrIMZpwCY

TECHNICAL/COMPUTER GEMS
Brief Bob Rankin review article on magnetic hard drives, best brands and prices http://tinyurl.com/2bm48ch Adding more memory to your computer is usually the most cost-effective way to get a significant performance boost. It’s easy. http://tinyurl.com/2f6wpws "I'm usually very careful, but somehow I got infected with a program called AntiMalware Doctor, which is a fake security tool. Now I'm having trouble removing it. What do you recommend to get rid of this?" http://tinyurl.com/2a3t9g7 You can save a good deal of money by building your own computer from components. (Ed: - don’t forget to scroll down to see critiques and comments from readers of this article.) http://tinyurl.com/25v7k56 Getting multiple gadgets online - for all of you techies out there who have a cell phone, home computer, lap top, I-pad etc http://tinyurl.com/273bx8d By 2020, most people won't do their work with software running on a general-purpose PC. Instead, they will work in cloud computing using Internet-based applications such as Google Docs, and in applications run from smartphones. http://tinyurl.com/29kzda4

June 2010

Toxicity of common products in the home
You might want to listen to the 30 minute interview by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie about the toxicity of common products in the home including Teflon frypans and microwavable plastics. They could be banned in North America. Young children are at particular risk.

Free desktop organiser
Dexpot is a very effective, easy to use, free desktop organiser for multi-taskers who have many different applications and files open at the same time. It's like having multi-monitor capability without the expense.

Where did I store that file?
Many of us can’t remember where we stored documents, files etc. Here’s a really useful free program. Type in one word of the name and immediately all the instances on your computer with that word are listed. Or type in pdf, for example, then sort by date to narrow your search

LingoMatch, brings people together to learn a new language
Every large city has thousands of people fluent in various languages. LingoMatch, brings them together when they want to learn a new language. You can contact the person, chat with them online, or meet them in person. (source Zen Internet newsletter)

The National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) lending service
The National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) operates a film and video lending library - an enticing mix of Australian and international features, shorts and documentary films built up over 50 years. The collection is available for use by educational institutions, including U3As interested in history, arts and teaching films, and hard to find or out-of-print titles.

Download YouTube videos
Download YouTube videos for your private collection with this simple free application.

Google TV is a new experience made for television
Google TV is a new experience made for television that combines the TV you know and love with the freedom and power of the Internet. Watch a 2 minute overview video.

Fonts and icons on computers
"The fonts and icons on my new computer are so small that I have trouble seeing them. How do I adjust or magnify my screen for easier viewing?" Ask Bob Rankin

Rounding corners off your digital images
Digital photography buffs here’s a free web-based service for rounding corners off your digital images

RESEARCH GEMS
Spread the word. Toddlers and TV: Early Exposure Has Negative and Long-Term Impact. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100503161229.htm Brain training games yield no improvement in mental performance after regular use on computers for a period of six weeks. http://tinyurl.com/y2z48m8 (ty Nancy Pachana, U of Queensland) Exercise Can Forestall Osteoporosis. Study participants who exercised more than 180 minutes a week retained greater bone density http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100426105643.htm o Early Death by Junk Food? http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100426151636.htm o Anti-Aging Supplements May Be Best Taken Not Too Late in Life http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100524114043.htm o To Learn Better, Take a Nap (and Don't Forget to Dream) http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100422153753.htm o Surgical Options for Female Incontinence Found to Be Effective but with different complications http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100518093830.htm o Body's Response to Repetitive Laughter Is Similar to the Effect of repetitive exercise http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100426113058.htm o Botox Reduces Wrinkles Even in Less Frequent Doses http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100426141504.htm o Exercise Therapy for Low Back Pain http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100419162306.htm

FUN GEMS
o Here's the full solution to SEND+MORE=MONEY http://sites.google.com/site/u3asitedemo/Home o Can you raed tihs? Olny srmat poelpe can. I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg.The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatmt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. the rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig, huh? Yaeh, and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!!! o Forget your high tech solutions. Listen to this cardboard record player on this 90 second You Tube video (source Zen Internet newsletter) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7CL0n5rR70

TECHNICAL/COMPUTER GEMS
o How Do Digital Signatures Work? http://askbobrankin.com/digital_signatures.html?tbart o FREE Optical Character Recognition supports around 20 different image formats and lets you send files by e-mail. Your image will be converted into text and provided to you via PDF as well as in Docx and Doc formats (source Zen Internet newsletter) http://www.free-ocr.com/ o What’s the best way to get my data and programs from my old computer to my new Windows 7 computer? http://tinyurl.com/29xynps o Wouldn't it be great if you could record exactly what you are doing to show whomever it is you are trying to help? If you have Windows 7 you can do just that with the built in Problem Steps Recorder http://tinyurl.com/yjpkwj6

May 2010

Free on-line art courses
Budding artists here's a great way to investigate a new hobby. These online art courses are free: Pen and Wash; Understanding Colour; Botanical Art. Each course contains 12 topics representing about 3 months work.

Handy hints for buying a portable hard drive
A portable hard drive is one of handiest inventions ever. Handy hints for what to look for before buying.

Cut printing costs by choosing another font
Did you know you can actually cut printing costs just by choosing another font? Few people have considered the font they use for letters, reports, and notices, but you can actually save 31% on your ink cartridge costs just by picking the right font.

Is It Safe To Use Credit Cards Online?
Is It Safe To Use Credit Cards Online? It's the age of e-commerce. Millions of people spend billions of dollars online every day. And the usual method of payment is a credit card. But some people hesitate to provide their credit card numbers to e-commerce sites for various reasons.

Early adopters of Windows 7 are "very satisfied"
Unlike Vista, early adopters of Windows 7 are "very satisfied" with the program, but nearly half of consumers surveyed said they saw no reason to upgrade from Windows XP.

Buying a laptop?
Buying a laptop? A 64-bit laptop is recommended for running Windows 7.

Protective Effect of Fruits and Vegetables
Cancer Protective Effect of Fruits and Vegetables May Be Modest at Best

Exercise is a magic drug
Exercise is a magic drug for many people with depression and anxiety disorders, and it should be more widely prescribed by mental health care providers

Aging motorcyclists on the road
Aging motorcyclists hit the road, but at greater risk of injury, death, study finds

Why People Forget to Take Their Medicine
Why People Forget to Take Their Medicine, and What Can Be Done About It

Dance Therapy
Dance Therapy Improves Seniors' Gait, Balance

Brief Meditative Exercise
Brief Meditative Exercise Helps Cognition

Secrets to Happiness
Researchers Identify Secrets to Happiness, Depression Among Oldest of Old

Poisoning by Prescription Drugs on the Rise
Poisoning by Prescription Drugs on the Rise

Fish Oil Supplements
Fish Oil Supplements Provide No Benefit to Brain Power in Elders, Study Shows

FUN GEMS 1 & 2
Here's a part solution to last month's problem SEND+MORE=MONEY. More clues next month if you need it. Using similar logic to the above try FIFTY +STATES AMERICA (If you lose format write the word FIFTY, then write the word STATES below, then add them together to get the sum AMERICA. Your task is to use the logic of arithmetic to work out which ten numbers 0-9 correspond to the 10 letters)

Google Wave – a new open source medium for collaboration
Google Wave – a new open source medium for collaboration. See the amazing potential in this lengthy preview video ty Sharen Wood, U3A Network - Queensland

A lightning strike has fried your computer
A lightning strike has fried your computer. It’s a comparatively simple job to replace your mother board according to Bob Rankin.

iPad vs Netbook:
iPad vs Netbook: In brief, iPad is for entertainment, Netbook for productivity. Best tip – wait a while before purchasing as new features appear.

Selecting great portable speakers for your computer
The speakers that come with most portable computers are a step above terrible yet the computer audio chips are usually very good. Read tips on selecting great portable speakers for your computer

April 2010

Editor's new email address
To subscribe or contribute to GEMs note the editor's new address. Please expunge all other addresses for Rick

eBooks Readers are all the rage.
eBooks Readers are all the rage. A USA review written by older people stated that these Readers are ideal for older people and others with poor eyesight because they are back lit and can be easily read in any light. Here's a review that rates 10 popular models.

eBook Readers are expensive
eBook Readers are expensive and the technology is changing rapidly. A new generation of displays is almost ready to bring full color and video to ebook screens while maintaining readability in different environments.

Poetry classes and enthusiasts should check the Poetry Archive.
Poetry classes and enthusiasts should check the Poetry Archive. You can read or hear poems recited by their authors. Here's a specific recommendation. Go to the website, type in Pam Ayres, click on her name and select "They should have asked my husband" to hear her reading her poem.

Overweight Middle-Aged Adults are at Greater Risk for Cognitive Decline in Later Life
Overweight Middle-Aged Adults are at Greater Risk for Cognitive Decline in Later Life

Remember Magnesium If You Want to Remember:
Remember Magnesium If You Want to Remember: Synthetic Supplement Improves Memory and Staves Off Age-Related Memory Loss. However Dr. Slutsky advises people to get their magnesium the old-fashioned way by eating lots of green leaves, broccoli, almonds, cashews and fruit because existing over-the-counter supplements don't work.

Midday Nap Markedly Boosts the Brain's Learning Capacity.
Midday Nap Markedly Boosts the Brain's Learning Capacity. An hour's nap can dramatically boost and restore your brain power and make you smarter.

Dementia in Extreme Elderly Population Expected to Become Epidemic
Dementia in Extreme Elderly Population Expected to Become Epidemic

FUN GEMS 1
Last month: If: 2 + 3 = 10; 7 + 2 = 63, 6 + 5 = 66, 8 + 4 = 96 Then: 9 + 7 = ? Answer 144 obtained by multiplying each addition by the first number. Here's the list of the smarties who correctly submitted 144.

FUN GEMS 2
This is tough! The following is an addition problem with only one correct numerical solution. Use your understanding of the rules of addition to logically replace all 13 letters with numbers. I'll progressively release some hints in the next two GEMs if you're stuck. (Thanks Bill Scott - Noosa Heads) First hint - start from the left. (In case the formatting is changed in your GEMs the word MORE is lined up directly under the word SEND. The answer MONEY contains 5 numerals. SEND + MORE MONEY

If you've got a FUN GEM to share with readers please send it to me.
If you've got a FUN GEM to share with readers please send it to me.

Netbook or Notebook and what are the differences between them?
Netbook or Notebook and what are the differences between them? What technical specs are important and how should you buy your laptop - online or in a big electronics store? Read Bob Rankin’s guide to choosing and buying a laptop that's perfect for you (don’t forget to scroll down for readers’input)

PDFmyURL is an easy online tool
PDFmyURL is an easy online tool that will quickly generate a PDF from any Web page. Simply enter the URL of any page and - usually within a few seconds - it will be converted to a PDF for download.

March 2010

15 Internet annoyances and how to fix them
15 Internet annoyances and how to fix them

Here's a reminder of why you must back up regularly
It takes very little time for a computer's hard drive to fill up with your entire life: financial records; tax forms; names; addresses; phone numbers; appointments; etc. Here's a reminder of why you must back up regularly.

U3A Sunshine Coast writers competition
Budding writers - lubricate those quills for the U3A Sunshine Coast writers competition. Open to members of any U3A and all people who are retired or semi-retired.

Who was Kilroy?
Who was Kilroy? Here’s a plausible explanation for that piece of graffiti familiar to older readers. (Ty Hilary Butler, Whangarei U3A, NZ.)

Learning a musical instrument is good for the brain.
Learning a musical instrument is good for the brain. Here's a site with lots of free resources for those keen to learn the piano/keyboard. They've been written for mature age students and include notes, examples and exercises and also advice on what to look for in a teacher. (The site is also a further example of a simple free Google web site of the kind you could easily set up for your club or personal use - Ed.)

Learn new computer skills.
Learn new computer skills. We don't normally mention commercial resources, however U3A Online has first hand experience of the success of the Dynamic Learning Online approach for new computer users. Scroll slightly down the page to the view demo paragraph. Click on the Inserting a picture within a word document link.

More Broadband for Seniors project.
Dynamic Learning Online also developed the entire U3A Online introductory computing lessons as part of the U3A Online contribution to the Broadband for Seniors project. These lessons are freely available to GEMs readers. Scroll down and click the button called Online lessons. Spread the word.

Make your pictures bigger
It’s easy to reduce your digital pictures in size. But is it possible to make pictures bigger, so you can see more detail? Resize cannot do that in normal photo editing software but here’s a free program that can.

Common computer cleanup mistakes
A short, non-technical article called Common computer cleanup mistakes describes the simple steps that everyday users like most of us can and cannot do to routinely springclean their computers.

Benefits of exercise for older women
Exercise appears to lower the risk of cognitive impairment, increase bone density and decrease the risk of falling in older women

Video Games May Help Combat Depression in Older Adults
Video Games May Help Combat Depression in Older Adults. Physical activity can improve depression; however, fewer than five percent of older adults meet physical activity recommendations.

"Progressive walking" plus glucosamine
"Progressive walking" combined with glucosamine sulphate supplementation has been shown to improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

FUN GEMS
If: 2 + 3 = 10 7 + 2 = 63 6 + 5 = 66 8 + 4 = 96 Then: 9 + 7 = ? Answer next time – send me an email with the numerical value for ? if you can work it out. ricks1912@optusnet.com.au (Thanks Leon Zabrowski, Branson, Missouri, USA)

Learn the non-obvious secrets of the task bar
The Windows taskbar - that narrow strip of icons at the bottom of your screen - is a nuisance to some and a fertile world of productivity for others. Learn the non-obvious secrets of the taskbar.

How to update your device drivers
Device drivers are software packages that keep many parts of your computer system running and working smoothly. How to update your device drivers - XP, Vista or Windows 7.

Replacing a hard drive - easily
Replacing a hard drive in your desktop or laptop computer is pretty simple. You can do it yourself, even if you've never popped the hood on a personal computer.

5 new things for Windows 7
Five things perhaps you didn't know Windows 7 could do.

64-bit computer with 64-bit Windows ...?
Before you rush out to buy a 64-bit computer with 64-bit Windows, is it the right move for you?

February 2010

Caring for a person with dementia?
Do you have a friend who’s a carer of a person with dementia? Here’s an outstanding site from Cornell In particular, have a look at the virtual home (Thanks Nancy Pachana, The University of Queensland)

How do people change over time?
GEMs readers are invited to help with the first study of its kind to look in depth at people's wellbeing from around the world. The online study is open every third month (next intake in March). Participation requires completing around 30 minutes of questions every three months for a year (five times in total). Help this great project and learn more about yourself

Handy resource from UCLA
Handy resource from UCLA for everyone who spends too long in front of a computer.

annual membership statistics for U3As in Australia & NZ
At about this time each year we publish the annual membership statistics for U3As in Australia and NZ Please update your websites and other relevant information. In brief, Australia: 214 groups, 66880 members. (2009: 211 groups; 64535 members) NZ: 65 groups, 10588 members, (2009: 60 groups, 10154 members)

Cleaning your LCD screen
Never use commercial glass cleaners on your LCD screens. That includes laptops, desktop monitors, and TV screens as well.

How good are you at “eyeballing” positions?
How good are you at “eyeballing” positions? You’ll enjoy competing against yourself with this.

Understanding Colour, Botanical Art and Pen and Wash;
We normally avoid mentioning sites that charge for their gems. However these online art courses Understanding Colour, Botanical Art and Pen and Wash have been written for complete novices and appear to be great value at $65 each for 12 months. The price includes notes, worksheets, exercises and online support by the artists.

Enhancing informal learning in care settings
Enhancing informal learning in care settings outlines the major role to be played by later life learning activities with frail people in aged care settings in the UK.

2010 NSW U3A State NetworkConference
A final reminder about the 2010 NSW U3A State NetworkConference, Nepean Blue Mountains March.

Many GEMs readers are volunteers.
Many GEMs readers are volunteers. Here's a great motivator for volunteer teachers in social service programs like U3As - your volunteering may delay or reverse declining brain function!

Mental exercises
Keeping the mind active by frequently engaging in mental exercises such as word games, puzzles, reading, and lectures can reduce your chances of developing memory problems or even Alzheimer's.

The Hallelujah Chorus
The Hallelujah Chorus as you’ve never seen it before. The teacher who came up with this idea is brilliant.

This 8 minute YouTube video is amazing.
It shows the winner of "Ukraine’s Got Talent" competition drawing a series of pictures on an illuminated sand table. (Thanks Kathy Rossini U3A Online)

Retarded grandparents?
Attention retarded grandparents or those with retarded grandparents? Here’s a winner for your newsletters or to share with friends.

26 classic tricks, utilities, and shortcuts for Windows
If you don't know every one of these 26 classic tricks, utilities, and shortcuts for XP, Vista, or Windows 7, you're not getting your money's worth out of Windows - from PC World.

The Data Doctors advice about Wifi networks
The Data Doctors have advice about Wifi networks that stop working or become intermittent

Wireless networks
Wireless networks make it easy to move computers, printers, scanners, and other devices to convenient places as needed. (Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of Bob Rankin's advice for reader comment.)

January 2010

U3A Online and WorldU3A
For some years the U3AOnline and WorldU3A versions of Signposts have featured different content and formats. The WorldU3A monthly version is web-based and the U3AOnline version remains a simple email delivered monthly to your address. The Signposts brand has now reverted to WorldU3A. GEMs is the new name for this version.

Some effective anti-spam tools
Spam is a huge problem on the Internet. Over half of all email traffic is spam. Many spam emails are dangerous bait containing links to malware sites. Here are some effective anti-spam tools.

How to set up free GMail
One of the above anti-spam recommendations is to switch provider to free GMail which has a great anti-spam blocker. If you or a friend are new to computers and want to find out how to set up Gmail why not work through the U3AOnline free email lesson which is part of the Broadband for Seniors program.

Brain training - is it scientific?
Brain training is all the rage but how scientific are the claims? This latest research shows that specific brain training activities can help improve a specific ability in older people such as reaction times and logic but those improvements don't help memory and other functions.

How to catalogue your digital photos
How can I manipulate and catalogue all those digital photos? Here's an update of Picasa features to remind you of this free Google service.

How to create your own website
Your group wants to create its own website but doesn't know where to start. Here’s advice on selecting and registering your name and inexpensive hosting. However the cheapest option of all is free with Google sites. Don’t forget Sharen Wood's illustrated step-by-step guide to setting up your free Google sites http://sites.google.com/site/u3anetworkqld/ (That site is an excellent example of the kind of free site you or your group can set up.)

Rudolf's carrots and celery
The Bristish Medical Journal doubtlessly won many fans with its pre Christmas advice that Santa should share Rudolf's snack of carrots and celery sticks rather than brandy and mince pies and swap his reindeer for a bike or walk

Cards for having 'a doctor in your home'
Featured before but this site is "like having a doctor in your home". WisdomCards feature the Top 10 online resources on more than 100,000 health topics and are updated regularly by physicians. Handy to file away for the latest advice

Hub, Switch, Router - What's the Difference?
Hub, Switch, Router - What's the Difference? (Scroll to bottom of Bob's site for comments)

A single once-only email address
There are times when you are surfing the Internet that you want to gain access to a resource that requires a valid e-mail address. If you give them your real e-mail address you take the risk of getting some additional junk mail. Mailinator offers a quick one-time-only email address site to avoid the problem.

December 2009

Print out the executive summary
U3As in Australia and New Zealand 2008: The Successful Ageing organisations. The full 55 page study is now available for download from http://www.u3aonline.org.au Before you decide whether to go to the cost of printing it out have a look at the Executive Summary

value of volunteer activities
Newsletter editors. You can calculate the value of the volunteer activities that underpin *your own* U3A, whether you have 24 or 5400 members (the membership range of responding U3As). The formula is on p. 46 of the above research report. E.g. an Australian U3A with 100 members is supported annually by $32,000 worth of teaching and administrative expertise. The NZ equivalent is $18,600. This is impressive stuff for those members bemoaning an upcoming fee increase, for keeping your local politicians in the loop or for underpinning that grant application.

Update on the International U3A conference
More than 300 delegates from many countries have signed up for the international U3A conference in India next February.

Keep up with scientific research for the lay person
Interested in keeping up with summaries of the latest research written for the lay person? Each week you can get summaries of many specific research areas including Health & Medicine; Mind & Brain; Living Well; Earth & Climate, Matter & Energy etc.

Create your own web friendly newsletter.
Create your own web friendly newsletter. U3As are saving hundreds of dollars annually by switching from snail to email newsletters. Graeme Eggins, newsletter supremo and Ern Hollebone webmonger, both of the NSW Network have produced an illustrated easy guide to producing your own web friendly newsletter

Send emails free to thousands of members
If you'd rather email your newsletters you'll face the problem of how to send it to your 100s of members. How do you do that free and without hassles from providers who restrict bulk emails because they are worried about spam emailers? EDNA has the answer. Each month Tom from India and I (Oz) send out nearly 3000 copies of our respective versions of Signposts with a single click. NZ U3As can use this service as well. You'll need to register first which takes only a minute.

How long could you live?
How long could you live? Here's a very interesting 5 minute online questionnaire based on the tables that life insurers use to predict your likely longevity.

Some handy hints to help get better pictures
Tis the season to be blurry .... Taking lots of pictures with a digital camera that's been sitting in a drawer is a common scenario for a lot of people this time of the year. Here are some handy hints to help get better pictures

Gift annual membership of U3A Online for $25
Need an interesting, novel and inexpensive gift for a friend with an enquiring mind? Buy them an annual membership of U3A Online for $25. Members have free 24/7 access to all resources including more than 35 high quality courses. Here's a 1 page summary about U3A Online

Try NiNite to set up your new computer
Getting a new computer is a wonderful, exciting event in the life of any computer user, that is, until you realize how many programs you have to install in order to get it setup like your old computer. The next time you are faced with setting up a new computer with all the utilities that make it useful, give NiNite a try! (Note: I haven't tried this. If you try it let me know how you like it and I'll run your recommendation in a future signposts.)

Tools to help your computer
You open your Web browser one day and there at the top is a toolbar or other utility that you didn't install. Where did these things come from? How can you get rid of them? How can you avoid picking up more of them?

Comments about AVG 9.0
Scroll to the bottom of the above url and read the negative comments about the recent version of the free AVG 9.0 anti-virus software. AVG has been around for 18 years and built up a solid reputation by offering quality anti-virus and anti-spyware solutions.

Toying with the idea of Ubuntu ...?
Toying with the idea of Ubuntu or need a primer? Download and read a 54-page pdf comprehensive guide. You'll also find a link there to A newbies initiation to Linux (Thanks Brian Spilsbury, Goulburn Mulwaree U3A)

November 2009

The international U3A conference in India next February.
The countdown is on for the international U3A conference in India next February. So far, registrations have been received from Australia, NZ, UK, South Africa, China, Singapore, Nepal, Thailand as well as a large contingent from many parts of India. Details of speakers, the program, hospitality, travel etc are available on the website. Dawn Hutson, Franklin U3A NZ, is attending and wants to hear from anyone else going from Oz/NZ dhutson@ps.gen.nz

Tips for volunteers, extroverts and joiners
Volunteers, extroverts and joiners are on the right track to a longer (and hopefully higher quality) life

Self learning materials from The Open Univsrsity
The Open University has scores of high quality self paced learning materials that would be ideal for many U3A classes. Thanks Ted Webber U3A Online and U3A Sunshine Coast

Report nearly ready for download
U3As in Australia and New Zealand 2008: The Successful Ageing organisations was mailed mid October to the 265 U3As that participated. This is the largest study of U3As in the region. It was carried out by a group of eight retired researchers and U3A administrators. The full 55 page report will be freely available for online reading or download in December/January. The study was funded by U3A Online.

Free on-line watercolour/oil painting classes
U3A art classes. Genuinely free on-line painting courses seem to be few and far between on the www. This one has instructions for watercolour/oil painting. It's under construction so bookmark for frequent reference.

Gift an annual membership of U3A Online for $25.
Need an interesting, novel and inexpensive gift for a friend with an enquiring mind? Buy them an annual membership of U3A Online for $25. Members have free 24/7 access to all resources including more than 35 high quality courses.

Desktop a shambles?
If your desktop is a shambles like mine Fences is a great free program that automatically clusters similar items. Available for Mac as well. Check out the demo

PDF cheat sheets for computer applications
Ready-to-print PDF cheat sheets for commonly used applications that provide handy guides to software productivity essentials including Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and some of the complexities of PhotoShop - and even Linux, for which there's a wall poster as well as a cheat sheet for beginners.

New Dell laptop that charges the battery wirelessly
New Dell laptop that charges the battery wirelessly

My Data is Gone, How Do I Recover It?
My Data is Gone, How Do I Recover It? Quick tips and free data recovery software

The F11 function!
When viewing a web page you can get rid of the toolbars, address bar and other window dressing by simply pressing the 'F11' function. Press F11 again to revert. Use this tip with the 'Print Screen' button to capture more of the web page.

October 2009

Build your own free Google website
U3A groups or individuals - Why pay for a commercial website? Sharen Wood has written an illustrated step-by-step guide to building your own free Google website. You can see her sample website and download the do-it-yourself illustrated guide at imaginary U3A Widebay site. You can also see how Sharen has set up the free U3A Network - Queensland website on Google sites. http://sites.google.com/site/u3anetworkqld/ Pass this item on to your computer teachers.

Learn how to take and edit digital photographs.
Digital Photography Tutorials: Learn how to take and edit digital photographs. Topics range from basic camera tips to advanced techniques. (Thanks Brian Spilsbury)

Great way to simplify computing for beginners!
Here's a great way to simplify computing for beginners! Big Buttons converts all those fearsome and unfriendly icons and clutter on a normal Windows desktop into a small number of large, senior-friendly workspaces (it's not for Macs sorry). Try it yourself and then help your computer-phobic friends to overcome their reluctance to join the Internet revolution. (Thanks Vi Jorgensen, U3A Ipswich)

Errata: "Free Computer Lessons Online"
Errata: "Free Computer Lessons Online" published in September Signposts has been changed to http://www.bbc.co.uk/computertutor/computertutorone/index.shtml (Thanks Ted O'Grady - U3A Croydon) [Ed: Incidentally I find this BBC presentation very annoying. It's good stuff but the user is forced to listen to an annoying woman and work at her lock-step pace. Naturally I think our free BFS lessons on http://www.necseniors.net.au/ are much more flexible and suited to older computer beginners.]

What to do if you drop your phone in water!
Here's one for mobile phone users to lock away for a common disaster. What to do if you drop your phone in water.

Save money on inkjet printers and cartridges.
This is good. 15 more tips for saving money on inkjet printers and cartridges.

New U3A Online courses
New U3A Online courses fresh off the edit desk this month: “The Story of Science – the Emergence of Natural Philosophy” by retired science educator Les Dale. “Australian History: prior to Federation” by Steve Hart, with assistance from his History Group from U3A ACT. All 35 U3A Online courses are available to member U3As to apply for site licences to print unlimited paper copies for face-to-face teaching in their local U3As. Each course has about about 80-120 pages of high quality illustrated teaching/learning materials written by retired experts in their field.

Openoffice v MS Office
Brian Spilsbury of U3A Australia makes the point "I think it is beyond doubt that Openoffice is equivalent to MS Office in capability and most features but does not work exactly the same. Personally I like that you can legally give away copies of the Openoffice CD to friends and relatives to help them with their computing. This makes it an ideal program for U3As to give away to members and set up classes to help everyone minimise the cost of using a computer".

Create a backup image of your hard drive
Create a backup image of your hard drive