The computer has become an important social hub. We use it to keep friends and family updated via e-mail. We learn about local events online. And, of course, we share digital photos and videos.
But if your parents don’t have a computer, they’re left out. With some time and patience, though, you can get them online.
A modestly priced PC will accomplish what your parents need. Don’t skimp on memory, though; aim for at least 512 megabytes. Get a roomy hard drive to store photos and videos of the grandchildren.
A Microsoft Windows PC with monitor can cost as little as $500. An Apple Mac Mini starts at $600, but you’ll need to add a monitor, keyboard and mouse.
Also think about the extras. A digital camera is a must. A photo printer is a nice add-on, as is a scanner for converting old photos.
Computers come bundled with a variety of software. E-mail and music programs are standard. Most computers will connect to the Internet and display photos and videos.
Still, you may want to make some software upgrades. If you’re worried about your budget, download free alternatives.
Photo software is a must. You can download Picasa, Google’s free photo manager. For photo editing, there’s IrfanView, also free on the Internet.
Your parents need a word processor and spreadsheet program to write letters and track finances. Many computers come with Microsoft Works; some have Microsoft Office. If the one you buy has neither, opt for OpenOffice.org. It has the same features as Microsoft Office and doesn’t cost a dime.
Consider enrolling your parents in computer classes at a senior center. Or have your children teach them the ropes.
Set up a remote assistance program for troubleshooting. Programs like GoToMyPC (one of my show’s advertisers) allow you to connect remotely. You can see what’s going on and fix problems. It’s $20 monthly. LapLink Everywhere ($11 monthly) and LogMeIn ($13 monthly) are similar programs.
If your parents have trouble using a mouse or seeing, set up accessibility options. Both Windows and Mac OS X have tools for the visually impaired. You can also adjust settings for greater control over the keyboard and mouse.
Don’t forget privacy and security. Set up a firewall, antivirus software and two or more anti-spyware programs. Where possible, set them to update automatically.
Educate your parents about Internet dangers. Warn them about phishing, Internet scams and malicious websites.
To help protect against malicious downloads, set up a limited user account. This will block the installation of software. They will need to switch to an administrator account to install software.
Create an account at a reputable photo-sharing site. Kodak Gallery, Shutterfly and Picasa Web Albums are three. You can take it a step further and create a blog. They can easily post photos and stories.
For links to the free software and sites mentioned in this article, visit my site, www.komando.com/news.
Kim Komando hosts the nation’s largest talk radio show about computers and the Internet.
