Cybersurf's up for tech-savvy seniors

By SHELLEY HOWELLS

It's very disconcerting to find oneself learning hot tips for PowerPoint from a little old lady. But that's the kind of thing SeniorNet clubs do: turn little (and large) computer-phobic ladies and gents over 55 into grand-geeks in a few easy lessons.

SeniorNet is a US concept, brought to New Zealand 10 years ago by Grant Sidaway, then a Telecom area manager. He's now a freelance presenter, specialising in new technology presentations, and is contracted by Telecom and Xtra as SeniorNet "ambassador".

What started as 50-odd people getting together to form the first SeniorNet club in Wellington has grown to 26,000 members and nearly 100 clubs all over the country.

"I'm tickled pink with the whole thing," chuckles Sidaway as we drive towards the Hibiscus Coast club's annual meeting, where he is to present a plaque and give one of his crowd-pulling presentations.

He aims to visit every club at least once a year to keep members inspired and looking ahead to the next level of technology.

"Participate in the age in which you live," is his mantra.

Each non-profit incorporated club (started up with financial and practical help from sponsors such as Telecom and Xtra) is run by volunteers, and volunteers run classes in their computer learning centres.

"It's a non-aggressive environment to learn in," says Sidaway. "A good old Kiwi roll-your-sleeves up, help-your-neighbour approach."

Members usually start with minimal knowledge of computers. Some have resisted the idea entirely, but are convinced by family to give it a go. For many, the first lesson is along the lines of 'This is a computer, and here is the on switch'. But they quickly move to basic word processing and then on up to spreadsheets, email, internet and beyond.

SeniorNet is mostly PC-based, but it does have a couple of Mac Clubs - one in Auckland and another in Christchurch. The Christchurch club is experimenting with providing distance learning.

The Silverdale Bowling Club is packed with Hibiscus Coast senior geeks thoroughly enjoying Sidaway's presentation of up-and-coming tech, from electronic picture frames to web-cam restaurant bookings to Microsoft's new Tablet PC. Telecom and Xtra products get a good airing and SIS 50s-plus insurance reps are there to announce a new sponsorship deal. Most members we speak to say that such ads are a small price to pay for sponsorship.

Tony Gasparich is a retired teacher who is a SeniorNet tutor. "Tutoring is so rewarding," he says. "I've learned that older people are much more appreciative of things you do for them than kids."

All the same, one of his favourite uses for the internet is helping his nine grandchildren with school projects. "They give me the topics and I do research and download articles for them."

He does lots of emailing and enjoys using ICQ instant messaging to make new friends around the world.

"Instant messaging is today's ham radio," he says.

Gasparich reckons that most members join SeniorNet and delve into cyberspace at the insistence of children and grandchildren spread far and wide. Naturally, they don't use snail mail, so the rellies must keep up or lose touch.

Gasparich knows of one newbie who was given a computer and club membership as an 80th birthday present and has had a whole new lease of life, and he describes one very old woman who loves her computer so much she treats it like a pet.

"It's amazing how the internet has opened a whole new world to old people," he says.

Club chairman John Barnett admits that he won his post because of his admin skills, not his computer skills, which were then non-existent. He's much more savvy now.

He organises meetings and keeps in touch with family via the net. All his banking is done online. He reads newspapers online, and is a frequent user of the Herald's online Stockwatch pages to keep track of his investments. When he travels overseas he uses the Regency Duty Free site to buy goodies.

Dorothy Davies is another who was inspired by grandchildren to buy a computer.

"I had no experience at all before I joined last August," she says. She has more than made up for lost time, has taken every SeniorNet course going and has already upgraded to a new machine.

"My next purchase is a digital camera, of course," she says

Davies hasn't bought a conventional greeting card since discovering e-cards and gaining make-your-own skills on a publishing course. She got so handy she is tutoring a course on making business cards.

She goes online for email, to make travel bookings and plan routes and itineraries, and is about to take on internet banking.

"I think I'm brilliant at it for my age!" she laughs. "I don't want to sit and knit and sew. I wanted to so something exciting, and this is exciting. I have so much fun. The most fun is having a sense of achievement - you don't feel quite as much as though you are in another world."

It's easy for seniors to feel and become isolated from the rest of the world, especially if they become frail or ill and can't get out and about as they used to. Gaining computer skills can help to ease some of that isolation. As one SeniorNetter said, "With the internet, I get to keep up with my grandchildren. And, on a rainy day, I can keep myself amused!"

SeniorNet

ICQ

Stockwatch

Regency Duty Free