We have friends younger than my wife and I. They recently retired. He from teaching high school; she from the California State Employment Department. They had used computers in their daily duties, but did not own one or will be using one in retirement. They just don’t like them. I don’t understand. Why?
Another example.
With very shaky handwriting, an old Marine Corps friend recently penned a letter to me. He apologized for his tremulous script; and, obviously, it was very difficult to read. However, the gist of the letter appeared to be that he intended to write his memoirs.
I don’t understand. How? So, I suggested computer classes.
If you have read my columns in the past, you know that I am beyond my 76th birthday. However, you also must surmise that we, mature seniors, may not jump to changes. Nevertheless, I believe an old dog can learn new tricks and in that way learn new things. Thus, I’m on the “Internet.”
In fact, when I was 70 in 2000, I received several calls from “New Horizons, Computer Learning Center” an off-shoot of Bill Gates’ Microsoft Learning Center. They offered a free class. And, I said, “Great.”
They wanted to teach me about the latest Microsoft Windows. Well, of course, I said, “OK.”
On the prescribed Monday, at 9am, I began my one day free course. At the front desk, my mentor was paged, met me, explained the company and ushered me to my class. There, I met nine young men. Aside from me, one was far older than the rest; he must have been 50.
However, you must realize that the other nine guys were from various companies or they were personally paying for the course. As a promo, I had been invited free. In fact, the other nine guys (no women signed up?) had paid $8,600 or had been sponsored by their company for a 17-week course. The completion of which was a master’s certificate in computer programming and computer science.
At this point, I was curious about how I might compete or even persevere with these young guys. Thus, I entered the classroom and took a seat before a computer, right up front. The classroom consisted of six computers in the front row and six computers in the back row.
The course day was scheduled from 9am to 5pm. From 9am to 12pm, I competed with all these kids. The instructor realized that most of us knew most of what was taught. In fact, we were so swift, our instructor said we would end this day at 3pm, rather than 5pm.
At noon, we left for lunch. I gobbled a taco at Taco Bell, next door; relaxed in my car; then returned to the classroom.
From 1pm to 2pm, I remained fairly sharp and required only some help from the instructor. From 2pm to 3pm, in order to instruct me, my instructor actually stood behind me while directing the class. I don’t believe that I could have performed until 5pm.
Oldsters get tired in the afternoon.
However, another evaluation was taking place. I did not know that my mentor, Tom Trick (actual name), was investigating me. Had I known, I still would have wanted him to do the investigation. (How had he known my age? I had told him the first time that we talked.)Â
For educational purposes, then, Tom Trick wanted to investigate an old person. In fact, that is why he invited me to the class. He wanted to see how an old person performed with young people and how me, an old guy, performed against young guys. Actually, how did I persevere and project my intelligence? What maintained my stamina? How did I manage my innate ability to manage it all?
From his investigation, a 70-year-old man can solve problems in the morning hours, may attempt to solve problems in the early afternoon, but fails after that to aggressively contemplate any solution.
So much for the class taken almost seven years ago.
On the Internet, my friends send welcome e-mails. From those I don’t know, I may receive messages from casinos, insurance agencies, “the mortgage loan that I have been looking for,” or, best of all, “helping that poor widow from Nigeria to bring her millions to this country and she will give me half of her fortune.” These e-mails are termed “spam.” Most of these are deleted by my “spam” blockers and firewall filters, others that get through, I quickly delete.
Nevertheless, my friends occasionally forward to me rare and eye-catching e-mails that they liked and enjoyed. More so, it’s easy to write letters or e-mail and faster.
We, mature seniors, may not jump to changes. Nevertheless, I believe an old dog can learn new tricks and in that way learn new things. You, elders, need to learn the computer.
Perhaps, some of you might write articles for newspapers like this.
I’m on the computer and “Internet.” Aren’t you?
Burton Anderson, a U.S. Marine veteran of the Korean War, has lived in California for about 50 years. He has a background in aerospace industry. He can be reached at ba****@*ol.com.
