Training the parents on Windows 8

Well the computer is ready.  I have installed the apps, set up his start screen and even set up an account for Travis's older brother Jaret.  Now for the real challenge - training the parents.
Well that's not really fair, my daughter Mireille (or Mimi as everyone calls her because no one can pronounce Mireille), like all of our children are pretty good with computers.  They were brought up that way.
Mimi is a manager for a technology company and is very skilled with Windows 7 but like everyone else who hasn't used it, is a little apprehensive when it comes to Windows 8.  As a result, I will have to spend a hour with her going though Windows 8.  The challenge is to find an hour where she doesn't have here two boys demanding her attention.
She will be the administrator on the system and as a result will have to approve everything the boys do on the system.  Windows 8 Family Safety is excellent she can easily control what they do, where they can go on the internet and when.  Travis' birthday is fast approaching so we will have to arrange the training session soon.

Windows 8 for Toddlers

Well, I finally chose a few apps for Travis.  The things I wanted for a 2 year old are apps to do the very basics.  Color recognition, shapes, numbers  and the alphabet.  Also you've gotta have some fun on the way so I got a touch screen piano app and some children's songs.  Since it is a touch screen, drawing apps are important too.
My other grand kids grew up on Reader Rabbit and learned to read well before entering kindergarten.  That is important because dyslexia runs in the family.  I personally had a tough time with reading while I was growing up but we were able to recognize the problem and got our own children help early and were able to correct the problem.  Reader Rabbit is available on the iPad but not yet as a Windows 8 app although, I will purchase it if and when it become available.
So,  here are the apps I did choose to purchase:

Travis' Home Screen

1. Math and Number for Kids
2. GuruCool PlaySchool
3. Kids Learn to Read (Pre-school)
4. My Baby Piano
5. Best Kids Songs
Total Cost $13.95

Kids Video HD was free and Fresh Paint came with the computer.  There were of couple of other free apps that I added as well.  There are a lot of education apps available for Windows 8 and as Travis grows he will have to have lots to access.
I also put his favourite movies on the computer as well but I really didn't like the way the windows video app wanted to download and play movies from XBox.  So what I did was to create a shortcut to the Windows 8 Video folder on the start menu.  This worked very well.  It lists and allows him to play only the movies on the computer.
Windows 8 make it easy to protect children with "Family Safety."  So, the administrator can limit access to only safe and age appropriate items. Travis's Mom is the system administrator but not yet familiar with Windows 8 so the plan is to give her about an hour or so training and then remove the items on the right of the screen so Travis' experience will be limited only to the things he needs.

Travis' Computer

Selecting the right computer for our two year old grandson was not easy.  We had to get something that he could operate and yet not break easily.  Two year old boys tend to be a little rambunctious.  We thought of a laptop computer but I am not sure how long it would be operating before it landed on the floor - and not in a good way.  Wait, but before you say that a two year old can't operate a computer, I have 7 other grand kids one of which has graduated from university last year, two more about to graduate, two in high school and two in elementary, all very brilliant, that can prove you wrong.
We purchased desktop computers for our other grand kids and they worked out pretty well although the keyboards had to have things dug out from time to time.  Today's technology allows kids to operate a computer without a keyboard and we like that.  Travis already can operate his Mom's Playbook.  He loves to watch movies on it.
After 6 months or so of pondering we decided to purchase a Windows 8, HP Envy at Costco.  It has a 23" touch screen and has a very heavy base that should protect it from being tipped over.  Travis' parents will probably have to put it on a sturdy coffee table up against a solid wall though.  And, yes I know that the 12GBs of Memory and the 2TB hard drive might be a little over kill.
Given the fact that there are great learning apps that are touch only available for Windows 8, the touch screen should give him the ability to operate the computer without a keyboard or mouse for a few years.  Well, that's the theory anyway.
Now, comes the job of making it usable.  We have to customize it and select the right educational apps.

Setting up a computer for a toddler

I'm not sure how many people do this or will actually be interested in setting up a Windows 8 computer for children, but, I will document the process as we go.  It has been our tradition that, for our grand kids 2nd birthday, we get them each a computer.  On October 6th, our 8th grand child. Travis, will celebrate his 2nd birthday.  So, computer or tablet?
We have decided on a Windows 8 touch screen desktop computer.  We'll need one that is pretty sturdy because Travis is a pretty active child.
He will need to have an internet presence and because he is so young, he will need to be well protected.
Follow the Blog over the next couple of weeks to see what we choose, how we set it up and the applications we choose.

Technology Sessions at Winnebago's Grand National Rally

Bettyann and I were at Winnebago's Grand National Rally in Forest City, IA.  We were the instructors at 2 of the session and participated in a forum discussion in two others.  Volunteering to teach is a difficult but fun task especially, when you need to get service on your motorhome and also participate in all the other activities.

Bettyann is the club president of our RV group, the Ontario Trillium Travellers and had lots of events to attend and things to accomplish as "Head of Row"

My first session was "Windows - Back to Basics" and it was very well recieved.  At the end of the session people came to thank us for a great talk and many signed up to be NetWit members after the session.  I also participated in the iPhone - iPad session lead by Stephen Pacheco.  Although, all the computer session were topped out, the iPad session was by far the most popular.  We were only allowed 50 people in the room and there were a large number of people who were left out of the more popular sessions.

Windows 8 was a highlight for us - Bettyann started the session talking about the conversion from Windows 7 and I followed up with the technical - how to get around and manage Wiindows 8.  There were lots and lots of questions and many people took the time after class to come up an complement us and confirm to us that spending time was certainly worth the effort.  Thanks to you all!

RVers Trending to Tablets

Last year it was eReaders.  It seems that RVers couldn't get enough of Kindles and Nooks.  Rvers, especially the retired ones, are avid readers and can't get enough books.  Although, I have been teaching how to use computers, I spent a great deal more time, then previously, talking about reading technology.  I remember after one of the classes a majority of the attendees went out and purchased Kindles and asked that I teach the same class again the next week.

It seems now though that using technology for just reading is not enough. RVers want to surf the web, get email and access Facebook.  Reading is still a big part of what they want though.  At the last couple of outings of our Ontario Trillium Traveller (OTT), people took advantage of the low price at Costco and sprung for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.  

I spent part of our outing helping set up the tablets and teaching folks how to use it.  The funny thing is that the first thing they wanted to do was get books on to their tablet but what they spent most of the time doing was reading and responding to their email and surfing the web.  

After reading, getting email, and browsing the web the most popular uses were Games (Solitaire, Sudoku, Crosswards), Skype for communicating with loved ones and weather apps.  Music and Movies were also high on the list.  

We ended the instruction session browsing apps on the Google Play Store and everyone seemed very excited and wanted to spend time exploring new horizons.  

Shaw no longer broadcasting in the US

As many of you already know,  I have had to discontinue my Bell ExpressVu account because Bell stopped broadcasting Canadian content in the US.  They actually changed the satellite footprint and now you cannot get their satellite signal south of the boarder.
Many of you have been able to acceess Shaw Direct in  Florida last year.  Encouraged by the confidence that everyone had that this would continue, I called Shaw to confirm that they would continue to broadcast in Florida.  I talked to Ben in Shaw customer service looking to sign up.  According to him, about a week ago the FCC complained to the CRTC and the CRTC now have forced Shaw to shutdown US broadcasts as well. So, if you have Shaw now and are expecting to see a full season of hockey you might want to call Shaw customer support and check it out.