Computer Hysteria:  SN Decoded!

      by Berry F. Phillips   July 2006


What is SN? Do you suppose it is some evil secret society like SPECTRE which James Bond, 007, has battled for years? I wonder if it might be another evil secret society like THRUSH fought by the Man from Uncle? I recently heard that SN was celebrating a twentieth anniversary. I also heard that there were hundreds if not thousands of card carrying SN members in the United States and now even in other countries who have regular meetings where a variety of issues are explored and networking takes place. You don't suppose SN is some kind of global terrorist network like the Illuminati? I sense your mounting impatience with this humble writer so will attempt to decode SN now!

SeniorNet is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization of age 50 and older computer-using adults. SN's mission is to provide older adults education in computer and communication technologies to enhance their lives and enable them to share there knowledge and wisdom. The organization has benefited millions of seniors since its founding in 1985, supports over 240 learning centers throughout the United States and in other countries, publishes newsletters, holds regional conferences, and collaborates in research on older adults and technology.

SN publishes computer curriculum's used in the Learning Centers to get seniors up to speed as quickly as possible on their computers. The learning approach that works the most efficiently with seniors is a hands-on learning experience with SN instructors via a computer lab. Unlike alternative training, SN curriculum is focused on what you need to know to become productive eliminating lots of theory and technical jargon that is time consuming and often confusing to seniors often with little if any previous technical experience.

SeniorNet members learn and teach others to use computers and communications technologies to accomplish a variety of tasks including: how to touch up photos and send and receive them in email, to desktop publish documents, write their autobiographies, manage personal and financial records, and communicate with others across the country and the world and serve their communities. Many SN members had never used computers previously and all understand well after advancing to computer literacy going from the attitude of "Where would I ever use a computer?" to" I wonder how I got by without a computer!" The evolution from computer illiteracy to computer literacy and the new virtual world that opens to SeniorNet members stimulates interest, and improves mental health greatly improving quality of life. Today without a basic knowledge of computers, one soon feels abandoned on the sidelines of life as the world of technology rapidly evolves. SenorNet networking provides many close friends since all of us are working together and helping each other to get higher on the learning curve to achieve computer literacy. All you need to do is bring the desire to learn about computing, and we will supply you with the rest of the tools you need including how to purchase intelligently a computer if you do not own one. You will be
amazed at how computer users help each other because we all started as beginners and help others advance as others have helped us to advance on the computer learning curve.

In 1965, Senior Net User Group, formerly meeting at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma joined the Oklahoma City PC Users Group renamed the Computer Club of Oklahoma City. Charlene Francis is the Senior Net coordinator, a former government systems analyst, who has been active in developing a very strong senior net learning center with the considerable technical expertise of David Robbins who maintains the computer lab at the learning center.

Get out of that rocking chair and develop your mind or lose it! "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." Call us at 405-843-4300 and get started on the road to making new friends while obtaining computer literacy in one of the very best SNUG groups. We have been visited by SN to see how we have developed such a strong group. You can teach old dogs new tricks; I am a perfect example! SN decoded is SN, the ultimate mind recycler!
 

Berry Phillips is a member of the CCOKC and a regular writer for the CCOKC website and the eMonitor