I am seventy-six and I want to learn how to use the computer.?

Good for you!!! Practice, practice, practice and show no fear of the computer.

Start by talking to your kids, grandkids, friends and other senior computer users. Join a computer club, take a night course, get online tutorials (see below), etc.

Buy "Easy Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" (<$25) by Shelley O'Hara, it's excellent.

Go to www.wikipedia.org to learn the lingo. And come back here often with your questions (be specific) .

Final tip: Read the Help files in Windows and all other programs and never give up.

Learn by doing. I taught a 95 year old. All I had to teach him was not to move the mouse when he clicked. You don't need anymore than that, other than using it over and over again.

And yes that are the facts. It is not hard, there is just a lot to it so you learn it in baby steps. While it may look like others know it some much better, no one is a true expert.

The Computer Guru is the person that knows just 3 things more than you. It's always been that way.

Get one.

Try dell - they are very cheap. They come with a few tutorials to get you started, but you might want to see if you have any friends/family members that can get you going too.

They are great for keeping up with family members, sharing pictures of grandkids, and looking up all kinds of news and information.

They can also be a huge waste of time and money. So make sure to do a little research before buying one. Most libraries have computers that you can use if you just want to do occasional things with one. If you keep an eye in the paper, sometimes people will advertise little computer classes, or even one-on-one sessions to get you started and using one.

I've been raised since 1st grade using the original apple computer, and radio shacks tsr-80, and I've been using them ever since. My last boss - an electrical engineer (72 years old) was using a computer (and applications like autocad) with little to no problems - so I know you can do it!

I dont know about quickest... but easiest would be to do Information Technology certificate 1 & 2 at your local TAFE or UNI.

It will take you through what everything on the computer is, how to use them, and it will also teach you a few things you wouldnt learn from doing it yourself.

If you dont want to go through all this effort, as has been previously stated, practice practice practice.

Hope this helps :)

Aloha from Down Unda!

Good for you! Git a tutor! Go to the community center adult education office & signup for an introductory course. Then get yourself an XP (Home) pentium 4 desktop complete with broadband service & go through the woix! MSN Groups such as 'Computer Interested Types' have message boards with thousands of pages of answers & 'threads galore'. It took me more than 3 years to hone previous 15 years with military 'betas' but it's very engrossing, fun & sometimes even 'profitable'! Best wishes ~

K-den, M1/NSWMoke ;-)

aka: mikewonaus@yahoo.com 8-o

aka: Dorfus :O)) Chucklenose :O))

aka: MikeOne496@msn.com :-)

Usually libraries run free or cheap computer courses as does local high schools for adults

look in the local paper.My dad is 72 and he's just bought a laptop now he's got to figure out how to use it

GOOD LUCK!

Many community colleges have free or very low cost classes to help teach you how to use a computer. Also check out local community centers in your area. I do suggest that you download and install Firefox or Opera as an internet browser and not use Internet explorer.

If you have a particular goal , E-mail, internet, Paint shop, etc. in mind, you may do a "search" (yahoo, Google, etc) and be able to find tutorials or lessons.

Practice and time are still the 2 best methods.

1 piece of advice, "Don't be afraid to press a key. (try something new) Almost all the time, a program will give you a chance to change your mind before you can do something "bad".

Good luck

I remember in college they used to give free basic computer classes at the campus library. I think it ran for one month. Try calling either the library or a local college. Good luck. If not, just stay here at answers and ppl will help you.

go get one of the books windows for dummies. Really experience is the best teacher. You actually learn as you go along. But that book will help you out about. Very easy to understand. And by the way. Good for you. Good luck!