More Internet for Seniors
When a
master makes an error, it is called an "oversight." When
somebody like me goofs up. it's called a mistake.
I made the mistake of not mentioning the excellent personal computer
senior education program conducted by Edison Community College in
Punta Gorda in my last column.
To
make amends, and to help the many seniors who can benefit from the
program, contact ECC at. 637-5654 for classes and schedules. It is a
partner with the Charlotte County Foundation in putting together the
Learning in Retirement series. It has a program for absolute
beginners that even I am tempted to take.
The
most-often asked question I get is from residents of Punta Gorda
asking how to access America Online without incurring long-distance
telephone bills. There is a way, but you have to use another Internet
service provider (ISP) to get to AOL.
If you
use a local ISP and there are several reliable ones in Punta Gorda
(check with the Chamber of Commerce, 639-2222), you can simply sign
on to AOL at its Web site at http://www.aol.com using the Internet
Explorer browser that comes with Microsoft Windows 98, or Netscape
Navigator. They have a user sign-on right on the homepage. They
also offer a service that allows subscribers to access AOL at a
reduced rate of $9.95 (bring your own access) from the usual $21.95. You use the other ISP as a standard access. The usual ISP charge
is from $17.95 to $24.95 monthly, depending on the ISP. This is in addition to
the AOL charge. It is still cheaper than long-distance charges if
you spend quite a lot of time online. As far as AOL adding a
toll-free number in Punta Gorda. I don't have an answer and wouldn't
hold my breath waiting.
I
would like to answer the perennial upgrade question: "Should I
upgrade to the new Microsoft windows (enter your upgrade numbers
here). This time it is Microsoft Windows ME. or Millennium Edition,
currently offered at the reduced rate of $49.95 to $59.95. It will
go up by the end of the year when the gracious introduction period
expires.
From
what I've seen and read, I think the main reason for "ME"
is simply to make Bill Gates richer still. The prime difference from
Windows 98 SE is in video and multimedia handling, not a hot-point
for most PC users. Until I hear otherwise, I think I'll let this one
pass. And no, Windows 2000 is NOT the follow-up to Windows 98.
Windows 2000 is for commercial use as a next generation of Windows
NT.
The
Windows NT name has long been associated with "system hang"
and the infamous "blue screen of death," so Microsoft
judiciously dropped the NT label from the program hoped to be the
best commercial and server software our of Microsoft.
Windows
2000 seems to be correcting a lot of bad images; let's hope they keep
it up with the consumer
programs as well.
George Mindling © 2000
