BGAMUG Application Review

I report on always free, always no-brand, always open source widgets for the Bowling Green Area Microcomputer User Group

Tuesday, January 04, 2005

When is a Senior not a Senior?

This morning's chosen break-out session was entitled "Computer Interests and Opportunities for Seniors," but our presenter, Ms. Sandy Berger, took exception to the use of the word "senior" to describe that generation born prior to the Baby Boomers.

I'm not sure what market research prompted this, but our presenter indicated that older Americans object, as a group, to the term "senior," when it's used to describe a demographic sector.

Many of you remember Sandy Berger as the innovator and writer behind the CompuKiss.com web site that we presented material from about a year ago. I am happy to report that she has given us carte blanche permission to use all of her materials provided we credit her as well as compukiss.com, and use a link to any materials cited online. I highly recommend the web site to anyone who is either a beginner, or just starting out with a new facet of computer technology.

This morning's presentation focused on new applications that are making older american's interested in computers - and surprise! It's no longer e-mail. Some of the most important uses of computers among our users:

Mind enrichment/enhancement - turns out there are a number of studies that prove that games involving hand/eye coordination make our minds sharper and may hasten the rehabilitation process from injuries associated with the brainstem. I wish that I had some references for you, but do hope to research and write on this topic in the future.

So don't be surprised to see GAMES show up on our agenda this year! One of the web sites that was cited as a source for (shall we say) mature computer gaming is www.gamehouse.com.

In addition Money Management and financial tools, Health Information, Genealogy, Scrapbooking, library access and general web browsing were presented as viable reasons to buy and use computers among the 55+ set.

What I took away from this great lecture was the number 78 million. That's the number of older americans willing to spend time with PCs and presumably learn about using them to their fullest measure. The inference here is that we should EXPECT and BE READY for an increase in membership, provided we're willing to present information on these topics.

More about lunch with CompUSA next!

Mike


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