Senior's Guide to Computers

Hi All,

Just came across - yet again! - another interesting website. Site name is 'The Senior's Guide to Computers' and can be found by clicking here, here and here.

What is the site about you ask?  Great question....the site is simple, useful, and uncluttered - and easy to use.   The site walks you through everything computer and web related with their easy-to-navigate “Learning Center”. Want to back up your data? You’ll get written instructions complete with screen shots and animation.  And there is much, much more.

There are simple links to using the audio/sound feature on your computer, Backing Up Your Data, Basics of Computers, Email, a helpful Glossary, information about computer Hardware, the Internet, computer security and computer software.

There is also a blog attached to the site - just click here for the 'Seniors Guide to Computers' blog.  One caveat - it hasn't been updated in over a year - last updated was on 7/7/16!

Whew.  That's a lot of links - and a lot of information to go through!

To learn about the fella who designed and maintains 'The Senior's Guide to Computers' click on this link - he seems like a very, very knowledgeable guy! And self taught when it comes to computers!

Enjoy the site and the information on it!

Regards,
Stu

How Stuff Works?

Hi All, 

A very interesting, useful, practical - and somewhat fun - website is 'How Stuff Works?'.

Basically its a site that explains to readers 'how stuff works'.  Hence the name of the site.

There are categories on the site.  For example, there are sections on Health, Science, Home/Garden,
Auto, Tech, Culture, Money, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Adventure, Animals and more!

Ultimately the site yields an article that lets the reader learn how 'stuff' works.  For example, I drilled down to an article titled 'Are married couples genetically similar?'  The article is about 2 pages long and includes details about the topic.  Related content is available to link to from the bottom of the page. 

How Stuff Works? also has videos and podcasts

Readers can subscribe to the How Stuff Works? newsletter by entering their email address at the bottom of the page. Readers will get the latest How Stuff Works? podcasts, tours, latest news and more from the site. 

Enjoy learning How Stuff Works?!!!

Regards,
Stu

Hurricane Prepardeness

Hi All, 

As you might have guessed, hurricane season is in full swing now.  

And Senator Kemp Hannon sent an email out with a list of key contact numbers, phone numbers, and important websites for citizens to take note of.  The full text of the email with the information is below.  Finally, here is a link to Senator Hannon's website.

It is quite a handy resource - you can easily print it and keep it on a cabinet in the kitchen or just keep it in a 'reference' folder in the house so you can easily find it when needed. 

Regards, 

Stu 

  

Dear Friend,

How ready are you? Hurricane season is here.  Hurricane Sandy made landfall here just five years ago. Here are some safety tips and resources for storms and to encourage you to get prepared now. While peak hurricane season just began in August it can last until October. The KEY to hurricane and tropical storm safety is to always be prepared BEFORE the storm hits.

Always have an emergency supply kit.

At a minimum, have at least a 3-day supply of food and water,(allow for 1 gallon of water per person, per day), a week supply of all medicines, a first aid kit, flashlight, a battery-powered radio, charged cell phone, extra batteries, copies of important documents such as insurance policies, deeds, property records, insurance cards and immunization records (also store important documents in a safe and dry place, such as a sealed plastic bag or a safety deposit box away from your home), emergency contact information in your family emergency plan, and supplies for your children and pets. Perhaps most importantly, have a supply of extra cash (in the event of power failure, many ATMs won’t work, and even those that do may be out of money).

Evacuation.

Depending upon severity you may be asked to evacuate. If possible, first try to seek refuge with a friend or family member who lives away from the affected area, but there are hurricane shelters available in Nassau County (a link to those follows). If you have a pet, be sure to see if it can be accommodated at a shelter.

Emergency Contact Numbers:

• PSEG: 1-800-490-0025 (Customer Assistance Center) https://www.psegliny.com
• PSEG Emergency # (24/7) 1-800-490-0075 (Electric Service Problem Line)
• National Grid 1-800-490-0045 (Gas Emergency Line)
• National Grid Online (Long Island customers): http://www2.nationalgridus.com/index_li.jsp

Other Important Telephone Numbers:

• Nassau County Office of Emergency Management: 516-573-0636
• NYS Emergency Management Office (LI Region): 631-952-6322
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): 1-800-621-3362(FEMA)
• American Red Cross (Nassau County):  516-747-3500

Other Important Websites:

• FEMA: www.fema.gov
• NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services: www.dhses.ny.gov

• National Hurricane Center:  http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

• Be Ready Long Island: http://www.bereadyli.org/
• Pet Emergency Preparedness: https://www.ready.gov/animals
• Family Evacuation: https://www.ready.gov/evacuating-yourself-and-your-family
• Nassau County Emergency Notification Signup:     www.nassaucountyny.gov/2920/Emergency-Notification-Sign-Up
• “Smart 911” (create a free safety profile for household): www.Smart911.com
• National Flood Insurance Program: www.floodsmart.gov

Information on Mass Transit Service:

• MTA/LIRR online: www.mta.info
• LIRR 24-hour travel information center: 718-217-5477
• MTA NYC Transit travel information: 718-330-1234

Real-Time Traffic Conditions:

• NYSDOT 511 service: Dial “511”
• NYSDOT 511 online: www.511ny.org

Weather/Storm Information:

• National Weather Service (New York):  www.weather.gov/okx/
• National Weather Service Tropical Weather: www.weather.gov/okx/tropical

If you’re ready now, and take steps ahead of time to safeguard your family and home, you can minimize any disruptions from future storms.  Much improvement has been done since Hurricanes Sandy & Irene, but the key to storm survival is; your preparation!

Sincerely,

KEMP HANNON

Cleveland Indians and Baseball Streaks

Hi All,

If you didn't know this you can be forgiven - unless you live in Cleveland or Ohio that is!

Did you know that the Cleveland Indians - yes, the Indians - have a streak going? No, not a one, or two, or even three game winning streak. 

How about a 22 game winning streak.  That means that if the Indians played a game a day - they haven't lost a game in over 3 weeks!

Click here for an article from the NYTimes about the streak.

And here from NPR - WNYC Radio about last nights' game - which went into extra innings. But they still won!  USAToday covered the game as well - and so did probably every major newspaper in America - but I wanted to cover two of the larger newspapers....

If you are a baseball fan, Wikipedia has an interesting page titled 'List of Major League Baseball Longest Winning Streaks'. 

Finally, click on this link from MLB.com to visit the Cleveland Indians' homepage.  You'll find lots of stories, statistics, articles, rosters, videos, scores, a community of like-minded Indian fans and schedules on the site.  Its a veritable encyclopedia of Cleveland Indian history! 

Enjoy the site and the links.  And how can you NOT cheer on a team with a 22 game winning streak!  Go Indians!

Regards,
Stu

Equifax Hack and Protecting Your Privacy and Help

Hi All,

As you might have heard by now, Equifax got hacked in late July 2017.  It was only a few days ago that they revealed that the company got hacked. Click on the following bunch of articles and links (10 of them in fact!) from various sources to learn more about the data breach.  Hope this helps!

Regards,
Stu

FTC - Equifax Data Breach: What to Do?

Get Your Annual - Free - Credit Report

FTC - Consider Placing a Credit Freeze on Your  Credit Report

FTC - All About Credit Scores 

USAToday - How to Freeze Your Credit? 

CBS News - video - How to Protect Yourself Against the Equifax Credit Breach

NYTimes -  Equifax's Instructions Are Confusing. Here's What to Do Now.

NYTimes -  After Equifax Breach - Here's Your Next Worry: Weak PINs

NYTimes - Equifax - Bowing to Public Pressure, Drops Credit Freeze Fees

NYTimes - Equifax Hack Exposes Regulatory Gaps, Leaving Consumers Vulnerable