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More senior citizens are becoming computer savvy

Children today are growing up in a world where Google has always been a verb and cell phones and TiVos are a way of life.

Think about how much change technology, especially the Internet, has brought for a generation that remembers using telephone party lines and washing clothes without a washing machine.

Senior citizens might not be the typical Internet users, but they are a growing segment of the population taking advantage of technology and enjoying its benefits. According to a 2007 survey conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project in Washington, D.C., 32 percent of adults 65 and older use the Internet, up from 26 percent in 2005 and 18 percent in 2003

Baltic resident Karel Kulhavy, age 74, is among the growing number of seniors logging onto the Internet.

“I tried it, and it didn’t take long to figure out that it was something I needed,” he said.

Kulhavy, who retired from the Federal Aviation Administration in 2000, regularly uses the Internet to look up song lyrics, e-mail friends and family, read the news, and make online purchases for his workshop and home.

He recently discovered youtube.com, which contains videos on a variety of subjects.

“That’s something kind of new to me,” he said. “I plunk on the guitar, so I watch some of the guitar players. I also watch some of the machinists and billiard players. About anything you can think of is on there.”

Kulhavy said e-mail has allowed him to keep closer contact with friends and family around the country. He enjoys receiving e-mailed photos of his grandchildren and family activities.

“One’s contact with family and friends would certainly be less if the Internet didn’t make it so easy,” he said.

The Internet also has made Kulhavy a more informed member of his morning coffee group.

“I go down to coffee and sometimes it seems like someone might not know what they are talking about, so I’ll sit down at the computer and look it up,” he said. “They stir your curiosity, and you start wondering a little more about the subject.”

Some members of Kulhavy’s coffee group also have ventured into using the Internet, but others feel more intimidated. Kulhavy thinks the fears are over-exaggerated because the Internet isn’t as complicated as some might perceive, he said.

If someone is thinking about using the Internet for the first time, Kulhavy suggests they take a basic computer class.

Educational opportunities are available through community education programs and the Center for Active Generations in Sioux Falls. Some computer books also are specifically written for senior citizens.

“Give it a try,” Kulhavy said of the Internet. “It’s not as tough as you might think.”

Do you want everyone to know where you live?

Google recently implemented a new feature that can lead anyone to your front door.

To do this, people simply need to enter your phone number into the search bar and hit enter. If they follow-up with MapQuest, they will be provided a map to the house where the phone number is located. Google also provides a link that will give directions to the address. This can lead EVERYONE to your house!

Everybody should be aware of this. It’s virtually a nationwide reverse telephone book with obvious and alarming safety issues. With access to your phone number, anyone can run a search to find out where you live.

Take a moment to look up your phone number and find out if it is mapped.

1. Go to www.google.com
2. Type your phone number (including area code) in the search bar
3. Press the enter key or click on “google search”

If you want to remove your name from the Google phonebook:

1. Click on your telephone number
2. Click on “Request to have your name removed from this list”
3. Fill in the form and click on “submit form”
4. Your removal request will be processed in approximately 48 hours

If you have an unlisted number or cell phone as a primary contact, this will not apply to you. However, you may have family members or friends who could benefit from this important information. Share it with them.

By talking about Internet habits and safety concerns, you and your family can maximize the good qualities of the Internet while reducing the potential risks.

To learn more about family Internet safety, visit the following sites:

www.webwisekids.org
www.safekids.com
www.protectkids.com
www.missingkids.com
www.kidshealth.com
www.ncpc.org
www.microsoft.com

New privacy rules protect your information

When you call Alliance Communications, you will notice that we implemented new procedures designed to protect your account information.

Due to Federal Communications Commission regulations, all telecommunications providers have put specific procedures in place to protect and control access to customers’ information. The most noticeable difference occurs when customers call Alliance Communications and inquire about information on their monthly statement.

The changes you will see are similar to experiences you have in other areas of your life. When a customer calls into a credit card company, for example, the company ‘confirms’ the customer’s identity in a number of ways. That is what Alliance will be doing through a couple of methods.

If your account is listed only in your name, you may want to consider adding another name to the account, if appropriate, i.e. a spouse, adult children or a roommate. All users will need to be listed on the account and know the answers to authentication questions in order to get information over the phone.

Please dial 611 if you have questions about these new procedures.

Alliance Cable TV customers not impacted by analog-to-digital transition

With the transition from analog to digital broadcasting occurring next year, many U.S. consumers have been wondering if they need to purchase a new television.

If you are an Alliance Cable TV customer, the switch from analog to digital broadcasting will not impact you. Your analog televisions will continue working after the conversion as long as they are connected to a subscription service, such as Alliance Cable TV.

If you receive all your programming from antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners, you will lose service on February 17, 2009. You will need to purchase converter boxes for your televisions. The federal government will be providing coupons for discounts on converter boxes.

The U.S. Congress in 1996 allowed television stations to begin broadcasting digital signals along with analog signals. Congress later mandated that February 17, 2009, would be the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast their analog signals because that airspace is needed for emergency and wireless communications.

Go to www.dtv.gov for more in-depth information on the digital television transition.

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