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Post by Steve on Apr 11, 2018 6:27:37 GMT -8
Two weeks since I last added a comment? Wish I had a better explanation, like a trip to Death Valley or a cruise up the Alaskan passage! But no, just lost my mojo for awhile since I can't generate an audience. I try, but it is hard to get the word out. But today I will resume by contacting some other places. Eskataon, are you there? They have a website and a newsletter, so apparently age is not a barrier. But my info says that my neighbors here are of the mind that computers are not a useful tool if you didn't;t grow up with on since grade school! Too old to learn? Bunk. So today we start looking for some old dogs who are interested in new tricks.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2018 11:37:16 GMT -8
Hi Steve, I PM'ed you, hope you see it. I hope you continue your daily good Morning, "Blog" it's interesting to read. Sure a lot has gone on in the 7months you haven't posted.
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Post by moss on Dec 6, 2018 12:32:49 GMT -8
Can't explore the board too much today. Unlike Rounds, I'm legally a senior 😎
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2018 13:33:27 GMT -8
Hi Steve. I saw a message from the Gunsmoke forum about your board, and thought I'd join and say Hi! Sounds like a really great idea you have here. Could be a big benefit to many. I'm 58(going on 25 )and I've been a programmer since 1985. If I can be of any help to you with the board, just give me a shout. Don't give up, takes a lot of "word of mouth" to get a board like this humming along. I will definitely let people know about it. I've thought a few times over the years that it would be nice to do something like this for seniors, especially those who are shut ins. Like I said, if I can be of any help with the technical end of things, don't hesitate to ask. Looking forward to getting to know you sir!
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Post by Steve on Dec 6, 2018 15:36:16 GMT -8
Well I seem to have been skipping my "daily" comments. Nice April? My excuse is that I was giving up on trying to attract any members. I have explained in a few other places that I live in an apartment set up for Seniors. This is a new experience for me, still not used to the crazy way it works. Without any windows other than on the wall facing the outdoors, and with a population of people who seem t stay to themselves, I can frequently go down to collect my mail and come back up, walking past many doors both ways, and never seeing another person. If I DO see another, we each say hello and keep walking. And to think I was planning a forum for this group! Well suddenly a burst of activity here, so thanks to that I have renewed my purpose.
After months of leaving it idle, two things happened: 1) Word came that there was new management on 1 Nov.; 2) On 12 Oct. there power was shout down to keep high winds from starting a forest fire! We were in blackout mode for 30 hours. I was hearing neighbors in the dark hallway asking what was going on? Many here use walkers, some use wheelchairs. There were no lights for the stairs and no power for the elevator, Some are on oxygen but with no power. Not good.
I was sure this would lead to my getting new managers to see the value of a website for our community use. Yes no power would be a problem,. but it seemed many were left out of the news loop to know the power shutdown was planned. I created a list of tips for residents to be prepared with emergency lights, some food that didn't;t need cooking, maybe an emergency radio that had a crank to power it. I went to new manager and presented my case.
The continuing story is that nobody here uses a computer! I ran screaming from the room.
So welcome new visitors, members, curious guests. I am going to add some new stuff to accommodate you.
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Post by Steve on Dec 7, 2018 6:46:40 GMT -8
Wow, things have changed around here! Thanks to @rounds finding a link on the Proboards Supporer forum and following it to find out what was waiting, the word is now out and look? People are joining! This is great. And now I need to make a few improvements to my initial idea, It was going to be for avery local audience, the residents of my apartment complex (Cottonwood), probably fewer than 100 people max! Ironic that that led me to add a place for Cotronwood business. seems pretty silly now, so I need to rename the board called Random Chat and let people know it;s there. It is the forum equivalent of a kitchen junk drawer; you know, the place for anything that doesn't;t go someplace more filing system worthy? Sp along with this Good Morning (GM) thread, Random Chat is a better place to start new topics that could develop. GM is simply a quick bit of water starts the day. (I started a forum for backpackers a few years ago and I am copying a few ideas that are popular there.) Note that along with the Random Chat thread, there is a thread named The Crew. That is a spot to add a short bio so we know a little more about who we are talking with? Just a quick idea of where you are, etc. You can check my info to see what I mean. Clearly there is no intent to pull any sneaky tricks. Privacy is important so no phone numbers, no email address info, etc. So I have work to do. I am still trying for a better color scheme.maybe a bit of art in the header? Nothing too critical but I want a bit of better look. Your comments are welcomed.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2018 11:17:11 GMT -8
Good Afternoon Steve, sorry management wasn't supporting your idea of a forum for the tenants. I presume they didn't post a notice or send one around that the power would be turned off for security reasons, already shows who ever is in charge is not that interested and definitely doesn't understand the tenants needs. A lot of seniors are on the web today. Someone put us both on the correct path, when I saw your post on the support board. I think the changes your considering are and will be great.
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Post by Steve on Dec 8, 2018 6:56:58 GMT -8
management wasn't supporting... To be clear, its is a new manager and I still have hope they may develop an interest once I get to talk with the real manager! Huh? Well, the person I talked to was a temp manager (!) and I have yet to see who is here as the real deal. My first request will be to see IF they will help by using the Hall Mail to actually ask each unit to report whether they have a computer? Maybe a tablet? It seems to be only a guess that "nobody here is online!" I want to dispel the myth, or prove it true and give up. But I'm willing to open my door to anyone who wants to see what value there is in having at least a tablet. My mom lived in a low-income project and ir was built in buildings around a big courtyard. Apartments had window booing out and people could see people walking about. People soon new most every other neighbor, and every month there was a list of apt. numbers with names and phone numbers. Those people met for group dinners, parties, etc. Mom enjoyed that. But here? It is more a hotel. I has somebody offer to help me move some groceries in and they took bags and walked with me. She mentioned her name and disappeared. Later, I asked the office who Pam was and what apartment? HQ said they do not give out that info, even to another resident. Okay, but a forum for voluntary cyber meeting seems a nice idea. I'm a technophile who wants to convert technophobes.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2018 15:25:03 GMT -8
Hi Steve, do you have a laundry room or is it against the rules for you to post a note about the board yourself? I've seen in apartment houses that people will just post notes themselves and that's how the tenants learn about it.
If you have a place in the mail room or a door maybe you could post a sign in that area, to make people aware of the board.
Just a thought.
I'm not a tecnophobe, but I am big on computer safety. I find a lot of seniors use the pc for the fun things but don't think of pc updates, malware protection, antivirus protection, and how VPN's are almost needed in today's world to protect people.
As much fun asthe pc can be and how great it is that it is able to connect people, still need to keep security in mind and as a priority.
As for tablets, give me a pc any day. Not sure why but the scrolling on those tablets and the tapping, frustrates me something awful.
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Post by Steve on Dec 8, 2018 18:39:27 GMT -8
Spreading the word: A few months ago I made a flyer, printed enough sheets to pin up in laundry rooms, next to the elevator, and on a bulletin board next to the mail boxes. I think they were all gone in two days! Nobody here knows who I am, so no reds. But getting HQ to agree to help would mean every door gets the message and with the expected credibility of a note with the HQ logo.
I assume that if any residents have a computer, it will be a PC. But if I can interest new people to understand the benefits of internet access, I will promote tablets as an entry level tool. Tablets are certainly different, but way easier and less expensive than a full desktop box. They range in price (and quality) from a cheap Kindle Fire at $50 or less (and I tried one, found it to be a toy!) to iPads and Android options. Basically, a desktop box is not really needed.
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Post by Steve on Dec 9, 2018 8:48:08 GMT -8
What a strange way to start my day! I have been researching th foods I eat to pin down details (calories, carbs, hidden ingredients) and really finding some surprises! How much attention do you pay to the ingredients in foods you buy? It's worth checking. Try the website Fooducate. It's a great resource. Look up things you buy* and uncover the secrets. Otherwise, it's just another quiet day,...except for the mystery neighbor down the hall who has their TV on really loud! *TIP: Use Google to start with "foodicate" and add the name of a food, or just a kind of food. Faster than figuring out the Fooducate version of a search.
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Post by Steve on Dec 10, 2018 17:48:41 GMT -8
Late, but here. Some time taken to get rstarted with some medical stuff I am wanting to gwtr art up. Looks like doctors need the month between T-Say and Christmas to polish the Porsche and get the boat out of the water. But I made progress.
My surprise came from a visit with the new manager here at Cottonwood. Her first day, I had a few things to ask about and I included a request to get some help finding out how many here really do have access to the internet? She said she plans a Nee and Greet and invited me to stand up and introduce the idea. A person who signs up for Comcast internet only will spend $66/mo./ but then they can drop whatever cell service and use the wi-fi network they will have. Cell service cost come of the Comcast bill and makes the internet cost about $30 a month. Not bad.
A day well spent.
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Post by Steve on Dec 11, 2018 7:47:46 GMT -8
A good start to today. I have written an introduction to the forum to explain it to the new manager. I hope I don't come off as a crazy man. I was just starting to talk about it yesterday )her first day here!) and she was caked away to oversee something in the building. I need to review my note to catch my typos. There are usually several as I tap the wrong key. Annoying.
Bit I am making progress. Let's see how it works to blend new mwmbweas from other areas with any Cottonwoodians who may finally find the forum.
And I am wondering if the new names here will eventually post a hello, or tell where they came from? Is it hard to decide to comment? or start a topic? You are here, don't hold back. Jump in.
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Post by moss on Dec 11, 2018 9:25:23 GMT -8
And I am wondering if the new names here will eventually post a hello, or tell where they came from? Is it hard to decide to comment? or start a topic? You are here, don't hold back. Jump in. Found the board through Rounds suggestion on the Gunsmoke board. I am a senior and live in Austin TX. I'm guilty of quietly participating in forums but I'll try to get over that inclination. Thanks for your efforts and perseverance Steve on putting this forum together.
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Post by Steve on Dec 12, 2018 6:41:34 GMT -8
....guilty of quietly participating... Hey, moss , at least you are participating! I keep coming to see what's happening and I see you visit a few times a day That's nice to see. I am wondering if the new members are finding the content too specific to my local area and therefore few threads that inspire a comment? Maybe, in fact, a look-around makes people back away, thinking "nothing here for me!"
There is a place for Random Chat where anyone can start a new comment to get replies from others! And this Day Begins thread is a version of a thread on another forum I started years ago where the Good Morning thread is used by many of the members; 2000 members. with 100+ active every day! There are also a few hundred visits each day but that ishardly relevant. Chinese hackers? Anyway, I am open to comments and ideas to add more general content that all seniors could be interested in! Is the 2.8 SS bump next month a nice but? Or will it get taken by an increase un some Medicare bump? Do you know there's a link here to check prices on prescriptions? Both my helper and I have found GoodRX useful. I need to mention, nothing here is meant to sell you anything! Any link is simply to point to more info. This forum does not earn me a dime. So yes, my day begins. More research planned, I should get started.
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