How does a 50 year old learn to use the net and all its wonders.?

Question

Starting with getting the best out of my yahoo.

Answer 1

Forget how old you are. That number is inconsequential and will only remind you to "be careful you don't break anything," and "be cautious so you don't screw something up."
Remember what it was like to be a kid and unafraid of "pushing that button to see what happened?" Be that kid again; just let your mouse be your friend and start clicking away. You know all those questions that you always wanted answers for? Well, just type it in your search engine and lo! Hundreds of doors will open! You're in the biggest library you'll ever see, here on the net. You'll find information, fun, friends, and things to do like you never imagined. Just dive in! Don't worry, you won't break anything. :-)

Answer 2

The same way I did my man. Explore everything in your P.C. and find a site with computer terminology. Then work on it, it is about a three month learning curve and it can get frustrating. I have a friend whom I hire every once in a while, he's a computer geek and I get him to teach me the things that I can't get by hook or by crook.
The first thing I did was get a small laptop with little power but it could hold a program called "Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing", I bought the deluxe program and away I went. After that it was onto a computer that my friend had lent me and on to the Internet. What a voyage.
You can also get some lessons by class in your local college, that would help explain a lot to start with.
There are programs that are for sale that teach you the ins and outs of a P.C. and specific programs. I've seen them on the television for sale. Perhaps Staples has some programs that would help, I don't know. I buy few programs as I'm a starving artist and can barely afford my own art supplies but what I have learned is by intelligent thrusts into the unknown of the computer world.
There is a small 'help' on top of your tabs, go to that for a lot of learning as well. Use it, that's what it is there for.
It is mostly a matter of using your computer as a tool for exploration. You will end up in blind alleys, or what seems to be blind alleys, but you can always turn around and reorient yourself.
All the best to you, I hope everything works out.

Answer 3

Just get on. Type in "Google" and the world is at your finger tips. Just stay away from free umm, pictures website haha.

I think my generation was the last to actually have encyclopedias in the house. Growing up it was either my parents, the library or the encyclopedia whenever I need information. Now, I just type it into google and I'm off. It's amazing how much pure data you can obtain. You definitely need a filter to discern form what's good or what's bad, but the nice thing is there's something for everybody. If you're here on yahoo answers then you're well on your way. Plus, check out ebay, start an account do some shopping. Go to some forums learn how to build your own computer. So many things to do. Go to Amazon buy a book ;)

Answer 4

ever seen the community listings for classes at the community center? We have computer classes here for mature adults of 50 or more years "young". Or perhaps you are nearby a two year college or universitywith community classes such as all day saturday seminars for a small fee without registering for university, just for the class to get you started on the basics? Have you called around and asked if there are computer classes at night school? There's always those quick learning for computers cd's I see on tv quite a bit. can't say they work, but they probably do. If all of this fails, ask at the library. is there a computer center in your local library? Perhaps they have classes. Maybe you know someone more your age a neighbor or church friend who can tutor you? Well, if you've gotten this far as to sign into Yahoo! Answers you can't be too bad off though! But I suppose you still might be missing some things.

Answer 5

There are great books you can get from your library including great websites to look up.

The best and easiest way to get familiar with the net is just browse, browse, browse. I have had a long history with computers and Internet and I STILL learn things everyday, just by typing things into the search engine and seeing what comes up.

Reading forums and things like Yahoo Answers is also great... as you can really learn a lot.

Just don't download anything from the Internet you are not sure about... You can easily get a virus. Try and stick to 'well known' professional websites

Answer 6

experience is the best teacher. I had no idea what I was doing 8 years ago when I got the net

Answer 7

I'm a living testimony, exposed to Net at 50.
Now I can email. type, search ( especially for sex sites) tjhopugh I cannot chat or do other things.

Answer 8

Just get on the internet and enjoy the interesting materials that you come across, then you will understand the benefits inherent in this "information highway." Peace, Love and God Bless.

Answer 9

You dive right in and click the help button often -ask a million questions and invite a 7 year old Grandchild over for lessons and cookies ----It worked for me !
Be wary though it can be addicting LOL( laugh out loud)

Answer 10

Well, you don't have to learn how to do everything, just things that will be useful to you. You could ask a person you know and communicate well with to show you what he/she does online. As he/she is doing it, if you like what you see, ask him/her to show you how.