Home Help Facilities

How to contact us. What we do. What we don’t do. What we have done.

How to contact us Simple! – Just call Shirley – – between 9:30 am and 4:00 pm and tell her what you want. Shirley will decide either to attend to your needs herself over the ‘phone, or else refer your needs to another Home Help member who will then contact you to make specific arrangements.

What we Do Answer simple queries over the ‘phone. Provide advice regarding the most appropriate ‘next step’. Refer you to a ‘higher authority’ – i.e. ‘King Ken’, Hank’s Computer Services, or 25 th Sideroad, etc. – if your needs are beyond the range covered by Home Help. Arrange for someone to come and see you to help with your query/problem.

What we do (cont.) Conduct research on behalf of members and report on findings. Demonstrate how to use specific computer capabilities. Download utility software programs on to members’ machines and show how to use them.

What we do (cont.) ‘Tidy-up’ members’ machines – unused desktop icons, Startup Menu, uninstall unwanted/unused software, show how to defragment (‘defrag’) hard drives, etc. Change defaults to make the computer more user-friendly – e.g. larger icons and/or text, fonts, desktop picture, internet home page, etc.

What we do (cont.) Demonstrate how to move/manipulate pictures. Demonstrate how to use basic software packages like M/S Word, M/S Excel, Picasa 3, options, etc. Advise regarding advisability of upgrading a machine and/or installing new hardware or software modules.

What we do (cont.) Advise regarding most appropriate anti- virus software packages. Uninstall existing package, download and install recommended solution and demonstrate usage, where necessary. Set update and run defaults, etc., to suit member. Advise regarding some aspects of internet usage.

What we do (cont.) Provide help with integration of digital camera into computer. Help with installation of new software or upgrading of existing packages. Investigate and solve (some) software malfunctioning problems. Advise and assist regarding acquisition and installation of new hardware items.

What we do (cont.) Advise regarding system security aspects. Investigate cases where “something is not working”. Advise/demonstrate use of flash drives. Demonstrate file creation/organization. Show how to create and use folders to organize messages.

What we DON’T do Tackle jobs of a more highly-technical nature than those previously described. Attempt to eliminate viruses, Trojan Horses, Worms, etc., that are beyond the capabilities of anti-virus software, ‘WinCleaner’ or ‘Malwarebytes’. Conduct extensive one-on-one training. “Repair” computers or peripherals.

What we Have Done 1: Access our own Web Page:  Click on your internet search tool – i.e. Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, etc.  Enter in your search box.  Hit the ‘Enter’ key.  The ‘Home’ page displays general information about the Club and has shortcuts to other areas.  The ‘About Us’ page covers membership fees, Home Help details and Executive Committee members’ names.  The ‘Member Page’ tab has topical news plus various photographs involving Club members.

What we Have Done  An ‘Advertising’ page shows details of items for sale by Club members.  The ‘Meeting Summaries’ tab provides access to detailed summaries of the most recent meetings and copies of associated presentations. (It also shows how to obtain copies of older meeting summaries.)  ‘Important Information’ carries items regarded by the executive as being sufficiently important to be brought to members’ attention.  The ‘Tips & Tricks’ tab is self-explanatory and should be accessed for helpful hints on computer usage.  Similarly, the ‘Helpful Web Links’ tab provides direct links to outside sources for various interests.

What we Have Done 2: Uninstall unwanted software:  Click on ‘Start’ button (bottom left of screen).  Click on ‘Control Panel’.  (Double-)Click on ‘Programs & Features’ (or equivalent).  Wait for all installed software to be displayed.  Find and highlight – i.e. click on – software to be uninstalled.  Click on ‘Uninstall’ option near top of page.  Confirm desire to uninstall.  Wait for confirmation of successful completion of the procedure.

What we have done (cont.) 3: Download and install new software:  Open internet.  Enter the name of the software you want in your search line.  Carefully choose the best source from which to download the software package you want. NOTE: Before starting the download it is imperative to ensure that the web site chosen is the one you want.

What we have done (cont.)  Access the chosen web site.  Identify the item you want.  Start the download procedure.  Follow the instructions given by the ‘Wizard’ provided with the software.  Complete the installation process on your own machine.  Make sure that you know how to use the application properly – electronic User Manual, Help features provided, practice.

What we Have Done 4: Add site to ‘Favorites’ Toolbar:  Access the internet page you wish to add.  Place the cursor anywhere on the page where you are NOT automatically directed to another area – e.g. off to one side.  Right click your mouse.  Choose ‘Bookmark this page’ (or equivalent, depending on which search engine you’re using).  Edit (shorten) site name.  Choose ‘Bookmarks Toolbar’ for the folder.  The site will then appear on your Favorites Toolbar line.