General Chat

Hello Bryan (Sorry about previous spelling only looked at name on top) Most of my husbands Dawe family were based in Somerset & then came to Bristol. However his Auntie said she was born in Lancaster St Six Bells Abertillery. Her Dad Eli worked in the mines & I assumed that's why they moved there. There are Dawe's in area but haven't made any connection. If you'd like to look at my family tree send me email. Kind regards. Pat

I agree with everything that the others have said. Hubby and I have had computers for years, and when I lost my Mum, I thought that Dad would not be able to cope,especially during the winter( He has his bowls during the summer to keep him occupied,) but he brought himself a computer as he wanted to keep the bowls club records, well he joined Learn Direct, where they gave him free lessons. He is now the results collatetor for one of the local leagues, and has just finished writing a book recording 150 years of the local cricket club, and has almost finished another about 50 years of the club from Birmingham that he helped start. So computers for the elderly is a brilliant idea. Helen

My son gave me this computer when he upgraded two years ago. What a new lease of life it has given me have been on several courses now which have all helped as I was totally clueless!!!! As regards the genealogy where would we be without them don't think I would have got so hooked so soon! With 3 sisters in Australia an Aunt in New Zealand and assorted rellies in America from both sides of the family and Irish ones too can't think how I ever managed before being introduced to the joys of e mailing! So yes I totally agree. Linda

pat...do you know much about your name..dawe..ime asking cos i have some on my welsh line. ronald dawe gwyn dawe brian dawe alwyne dawe....all from aberdulais....south wales. best wishes....bryan.

Listened to what you said so sent email to www.eluse.co.uk & asked them to consider supporting retired people with their reconditioned computers - might help if others supported idea. Just a few quotes that make me smile about Life. -Attack life, it's going to kill you anyway. ~Steven Coallier~ -Not only is life a bitch, but it is always having puppies. ~ Adrienne Gusoff ~ There's another by ~ Denis Leary ~ but it may offend -it is a bit sick. Kind regards. Pat

were getting some great thoughts,ideas and suggestions...its so true,about the basic pension...these people work all there lives,for what? to end up with a pittance! the underlying problem,is that legislation is laid down by people,who have never had to worry about where the next penny,is coming from...the average single pensioner,does not have a company pension,they live on the 100.00 a week or so,some are not even claiming credits,due to not understanding their entitlements...its some years,before i need to worry about myself,but in the meantime,i have no way of saving money,the amount i earn,goes on living expenses,and college fees,for my daughter....so,whats the answer?its not changing governments! tory mps are renowned for feathering their own nests,at the expense of the working class...maybe you have an idea!! best wishes....bryan.

Interested in your discussions about help for the elderly to enjoy the WWW. Recently read about company who refurbish computers for use in community - mainly I think for hospitals & childrens homes. They also offer computers for £150. Maybe they could be persuaded to include help for retired people. Must be others? Regarding help on using them - most libraries have computers & provide basic knowledge - you can book by the hour. I found it very helpful & importantly free. Colleges also have computer courses which cover all aspects & again are mostly free or low cost. I didn't start to get involved till I was approaching retirement & have now converted my husband. As we all know it's a great way of finding & exchanging info'. More power to you Brian for your caring attitude. Regards. Pat http://www.eluse.co.uk (won't take) co.uk

Totally agree with all of you but Brian has really hit the nail on the head. Too long has the pensioner been ignored by the government,and it,s high time they hit back by voting Blair and his money wasting cronies out of office ,and if they vote together they have the clout to do just that.Sorry to be on my high horse, but when i see what the pensioners in the rest of europe get i could spit in the mans eye.We are a rich nation but treat our pensioners like dirt.Fred.

If the basic pension was a decent amount then there would be no need for all these concessionary rates, additional tax allowances, bus passes, pension credits, winter fuel payments and all the other demeaning nonsense that must cost more to administer than what the recipient gets. The whole tax and benefits system has now become so complicated that many pensioners have given up even trying to claim and personal allowances are so low that any private pension of more than a few quid above the state retirement pension means you end up paying income tax.

Bother, the address did not come through will try again greenpc/./com/au.no stroke Pat

Hi Brian. You might be interested in a program that operates in Australia. It is called Green pc. This group collect computers from Schools, Banks or Large Businesses when they are about to upgrade, they have technicians who overall and upgrade the computers and test every part. They then sell them at a very reasonable price to aged pensioners, low income or disadvantaged persons. You can find them on www.greenpc(.com)(.au) no brackets. Pat in Australia.

hi everyone,thanks for your replies,i share my pc with my 18yr old daughter,and the other day,she was in the ..chat rooms..when she said, look dad,theres 130 of us youngsters,in this room,but in silver surfers theres 305..we had a look,and yes,they really were having fun...we just need to spread it around the country!.....bryan.

brilliant idea - I have an uncle of nearly 85 and he makes his own cards on his pc - really tickles me when i get one - it keeps his mind active and gives him an interest in things -

Hello Bryan Yes, a really great idea! I agree with all the comments made by the others so far. Isolation and loneliness are one of the scourges of the modern world, particularly for elderly people, and the more we can do to keep them actively involved in their lives and social relationships, the better. The cost of computers is coming down all the time, and I wouldn't think it beyond the whit of man (or Government as well, for that matter!) to find some way of supplying them free or at a subsidised cost to older folk. But then again, I seem to recall a certain TB rattling on about "education, education, education" in 1997, so perhaps we'd better not be too sanguine! Let's give this thread a nudge and encourage other folks to contribute. Philip

Hi Bryan, There was a book that came out a few years ago called "Internet for Dummies" I am sure that you can get hold of a copy somewhere. It is a self help training manuel for those of us who are still finding our feet. Lindy;-)

Definitely. My aunt (age 81) got herself a PC and a few lessons. We now have a regular live chat on the internet and swap photos at the same time. next stage is to get a web cam for her. We have never chatted so much in our lives. She lives in New York and I live in France. Guess what we chat about - genealogy of course.So, yes free lessons and PC's for those not able to afford it otherwise - keeps the family in touch and with a cheap broadband connection doesn't cost a penny in phone calls

I heard that the major banks change their computors every year and the old ones are donated to third world countries. All well and good but I do believe that every school child in Britain should have one first and then every OAP and maybe then and only if they sign a declaration not to send ridiculous amounts of spam maybe the rest of the world can have them. xx Dave w/o prejudice

there are some cheap broadband offers,such as tiscali,but you can only get access for 150hrs a month,which is just over 5hrs a day...might suit some pensioners...as for free access etc,thats down to the government,and the watchdogs to put into operation..the trouble is the bigger the corporation,the meaner they become...perhaps they could start some sort of pc recycling system,where companies offer decent discounts to people who give their old pc,and a few hours of their time to helping the elderly understand the technology. its just i was in a shop a few days ago,and this elderly chap,didnt seem to want to leave,when i mentioned it to the lady working there,she said its just that hes so lonely,and once he goes back home,he never sees anyone again,until he goes out the next day......bryan.

Brilliant idea Bryan. My dad had major cancer surgery 4 years ago, so we upgraded our own computer and gave him ours to keep him occupied during his convalescence. He really enjoys it but I know he doesn't get the most out of it, so some sort of classes (maybe online) would be good. We pay £27 a month for BT broadband which I think is pretty good for the amount of time I spend on here, but maybe a big company like BT would consider doing some sort of discount for OAPs. Hmmm, wonder if we could lobby them en masse (politely of course!)? Mandy :)

Good idea Bryan But how many can afford the internet?? How about from 60:- Free Tv licences . For everyone. Low rate phone calls (or no rental) Free Bas passes for EVERYONE ( not just certain places) A fixed price upper limit on heating bills. A rise in pension money to really reflect todays cost of living... Elaine x