Tech Tips for Seniors (or anyone, really!) – Details, episodes & analysis

I’ve always been a person that didn’t like to keep a lot of paper documents so I create them on my computer.  So when I’m out somewhere and I don’t have the document with me what can I do?  

Well…I access it from my phone or iPad. 

How, you may ask?  - the answer is - I store my documents in the cloud. 

Now I know what you’re thinking…Bruce - those puffy white things in the sky don’t hold documents do they?  And you’d be right. Of course, I’m talking about the internet cloud. 

If you are like me and want to learn more about the HUGE topic of storing and accessing documents in the cloud, well you just HAVE TO Make Google drive and Google docs your friends 

I have in front of me a pile of books that I’m currently reading. I imagine you have one just like this.  Or maybe larger???

So what happens when you need to travel? Travel is one of those peaceful times when reading can really happen. 

Or what if you are out at a doctor’s appointment waiting, and you find you have the time or want to read?  You have to have your book handy right?  That’s where this episode will help you, as we talk about Reading books online.

To follow this podcast:

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tech-tips-for-seniors/id1699277330

YouTube

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfY1hKlCpuqJK3kxAMgPWG_dlt7-3p56G&si=kM2Ssj0jlEEsWhfj

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/556gkqPY2gUungskPONIsa?si=b4NsPR8BQSmxaEwK1caJtQ

My wife uses a paper planner, I use electronic (this is true about just about everything with us).

How do you calendar? - Paper, Sticky notes, computer? My special guest Danielle Barger is going to discuss her experience, and the benefits of using Google calendar.

I've also published a short video on how to create an event on google Calendar here - https://youtube.com/shorts/nzOldu0bs1w?feature=share YouTube - https://youtu.be/aoJEZ2zqtGY Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tech-tips-for-seniors/id1699277330

The holidays are here and this means wishing all our podcast listeners a happy, safe and blessed holiday season.

A whole new season of Tech Tips are just ahead in 2024 - stay tuned as we bring new topics on many of the emerging tech subjects which are sure to keep all of us on our toes.

Thanks for being a faithful listener - I hope you will join me in the coming year for a new season of Tech Tips for Seniors (or anyone really).

Here’s a Tech Tip that’s going to be routine for some people, and a never done - want to try tip for others.

Scenario - you need a ride someplace, let’s say the airport, or to the doctor, or shopping - but no one is available to take you, or you just don’t want to ask.  Maybe your car is in the shop, or as in my case, you don’t want to take a car to park it someplace for days.  What do you do?

- This Tech Tip is about Using Uber or Lyft Ride Sharing

YouTube version of this show - https://youtu.be/4ulOQdaRCJk

Also on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

There are some funny squiggly square boxes showing up on signs, in magazines and well just about everywhere - these are called QR codes.  But what do they do, are they safe and how do you use them?

- The tech tip discusses How to scan a QR code.

How to scan a QR code using an Android phone - https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/9283368?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid#:~:text=On%20your%20compatible%20Android%20phone,your%20Android%20phone%20or%20tablet.

YouTube version of this show -  https://youtu.be/zSOh8EeqHJY

(Also on Apple Podcasts and Spotify)

We all understand that technology can take control of our lives, and there’s no place where this is more apparent than how we use our smartphones - how they seem to use up our valuable time and attention.  But have you ever thought of taking control of your smartphone, instead of it taking control of you?  

- today’s tech tip discusses Setting limits for Apps on your Phone.

This episode show how to use Screen Time App Limits on an iPhone.  The link below is for Android:

How to set up app controls on Android using Digital Wellbeing - https://support.google.com/android/answer/9346420?hl=en

YouTube version of this show - https://youtu.be/Q8u4eoarNms

In the (seems like distant) past we purchased music recordings on vinyl, magnetic tape (8-track or cassette), or via iTunes.  But today the music industry has moved to streaming music via the internet and purchasing a subscription to a service provides access to millions of songs at any time.

In this episode we describe the evolution to streaming, who the big players are.  We also describe how to create playlists using Apple Music.  

A link for doing the same in Spotify is below.

Please remember to Like, Subscribe and Share this show with a friend If you got something out of it.  We’d also appreciate if you left us a rating and review.  If you’ve done that already, thank you very much!

Creating a playlist with Spotify - https://support.spotify.com/us/article/create-playlists/

YouTube version of this show - https://youtu.be/5TiLsRd0lKQ

We’ve talked about Minecraft - but getting started with the game is a bit of a learning curve.

My grandson Noah is a Minecraft pro - so I wanted to speak with him about the basics, that is if he can even remember the basics - of getting up and running. Noah has been on the show before when we were discussing the benefits of Minecraft in relationships with your kids and grandkids.

This extended episode discusses getting started with Minecraft basics with my grandson and special guest Noah. We also include demos along with the discussion to show the basics.

Please remember to Like, Subscribe and Share this show with a friend If you got something out of it.  We’d also appreciate if you left us a rating and review.  If you’ve done that already, thank you very much!

YouTube video version - https://youtu.be/dUemsfe0lCU?si=EfjXnk6QTjWLnj9c

A special note to my audio listeners:

The content in this episode is a bit technical and may be hard to listen to without the video to follow along.  So I recommend that you check out YouTube version of this  podcast.  There are visuals throughout the entire episode that will fill in what you would be missing in the audio-only version. 

Thanks so much!

Traditional shopping has always taken place in stores, where you can browse and shop for items and place them in your shopping cart to purchase.  But technology has affected the way we shop and it is more and more a mixture of shopping in-stores and also online.

My guest, Vickie Ciotta (who is also my wife) shares some of her extensive experience in managing the transition to online shopping and gives tips for how to navigate in a hybrid shopping world.  She also shares her feelings regarding security and using a password manager. 

Those who are somewhat uncomfortable shopping online will find this tip extremely helpful.

YouTube version of this show - https://youtu.be/_H4Du5gfKPw

Please remember to Like, Subscribe and Share this show with a friend If you got something out of it.  We’d also appreciate if you left us a rating and review.  If you’ve done that already, thank you very much!