Laptop Coaching: File Management and Memory Sticks

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today we looked at how to organise files and folders using File Explorer. We also covered how to manage files held on a ‘memory stick’. Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love …
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Laptop Coaching: Keyboard (Physical and Virtual)

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today we discussed the layout of a typical keyboard and the subtle differences between different laptop manufacturers. We also looked at the benefits of using the virtual keyboard built-in to Windows 10. Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – …
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Doctor Who – Series 10, Episode 6: ‘Extremis’

Wow! This was a good one – and I definitely think I’ll re-watch it! Another creepy episode (more than just scary) with twists and turns at every point. It seemed to start quite slowly, but then I learned it’s the first of a three-parter, so I can’t wait until next week’s episode. For me, this …
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Short Break: Beaulieu and Brockenhurst

We slept badly. In an effort to give us a different impression of Winchester, just before midnight, some local drunks had chosen the space under our window to exchange words of wisdom. I can’t recall the details, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a replay of the five-party political debate on TV last night! If …
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Short Break: Gin taster, Win chester!

We headed for Winchester today courtesy of Ann’s friend Nicki  – and her gift of a hotel voucher. The route there just happened to take us in the direction of the Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill (with its own fascinating history). We set off around 9am and pulled into the car-park at Laverstoke Mill just …
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Tablet Coaching: Certification Day

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Congratulations to Robert, Keith, Patsy, Paul and Anita, who completed their final Tablet lesson today and received their Certificates. We celebrated with a few nibbles and discussed a new(ish) feature of Google Maps: ‘Offline use’. All the best! It’s been a pleasure to help you discover more about your …
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Laptop Coaching: Essential Browser Tips

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, we looked at the common features of the most popular browsers for Windows 10 – and how to use them. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my …
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Laptop Coaching: Inside your Laptop

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, we gave the group a broad understanding of what’s inside their laptop. We then discussed various keyboard layouts and the functions of the most-used keys. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until …
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Doctor Who – Series 10, Episode 5: ‘Oxygen’

I couldn’t watch this episode live as we were travelling back from Hull, so I watched it on Sunday. After last week’s more traditional Who-storyline, designed to have us regularly inspecting the backs of our sofas, this one tapped into TV’s current obsession with the undead and featured a yarn based around zombies – but …
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Tablet Coaching: Recapping – ‘Calendar App’

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: In today’s penultimate lesson for this Class, we continued our recapping sessions and re-visited the versatile ‘Calendar’ App. Filed under: Delivery, Skills Development, Staff Development, Volunteer Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong …
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Laptop Coaching: Google Search

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: In today’s lesson, we covered the many features of ‘Google Search’. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all …
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Laptop Coaching: Laptop Overview

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, we continued our ‘tour of a laptop’. We also began to identify individual needs that will form the basis of the Lesson Plans for this group. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post …
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Doctor Who – Series 10, Episode 4: ‘Knock Knock’

That’s more like it! A super-creepy storyline (thank goodness we’ve got a sofa!), incredible SFX and superb acting all round! Loved it!!! Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together …
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Tablet Coaching: Recapping continues

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: With just a few lessons left for this Class, we continued recapping some of the more popular Apps found on a Tablet – today, we re-looked at ‘Calendar’. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first …
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Laptop Coaching: Skype Practical

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: With the theory and background to Skype covered last week, today we got down the practical day-to-day use and practised ‘skyping’ each other. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well …
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Tablet Coaching: Recap

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: As we are now nearing the end of the syllabus for this Group, today we started recapping on their chosen topics. Today’s recap covered how to attach items to eMails. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing …
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Laptop Coaching: Using Skype

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, we looked at how to use Skype on your Laptop. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all …
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Laptop Coaching: New Monday Class

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: The new Monday Class started today! Say hello to Norman, Brenda, Walter, Pam and Hazel! Today we’ll be assessing everyone’s needs to create their future lesson plans. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post …
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Doctor Who – Series 10, Episode 2: Smile

So, here we are at episode TWO of the new series – and after last week’s generally favourable views from the majority of critics, I wondered what this week’s story would bring? I carefully avoided all the overnight reviews as I saved this episode to watch it on Sunday via Sky Q. Generally speaking Who …
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Biggles Flies Again

Biggles? More like Giggles! as I took control of a real aeroplane courtesy of last year’s birthday pressy from  Ian and Mags – a 45 minute flight over the skies of Northamptonshire! Ian & Ann, Ralph and Karen and my Ann were there to witness my performance as just after 11am, I ‘took the stick’ …
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Tablet Coaching: Play Movies and TV

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Completing our series of lessons covering Google’s ‘Play Store’ App, today, we looked at ‘Movies and TV’. We then began a series of ‘learner-led’ sessions recapping on previously-discussed areas, but where Learners still had questions. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite …
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Laptop Coaching: Google Maps

Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, we looked at the many features of Google Maps and how to use it for route-planning – not only by car! Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into …
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Doctor Who – Series 10, Episode 1: ‘The Pilot’

Like many Whovians, the start of a new Who series is always something to look forward to – but this time round, more than ever! It’s Peter Capaldi’s final series; there’s a new Companion (didn’t they used to call them ‘Assistants’?) in the shape of ‘Bill’ (newcomer Pearl Mackie) and finally, there has been some …
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Lent Boy 2017: How Did I Do?

WARNING! Please read responsibly. This Blog contains large amounts of smugness!So, that’s my ‘Lent event’ over for 2017. What began in 2010 as a small challenge, has now grown into a much bigger test of will-power! Some of you have asked how I got on, so here’s a short summary. Thanks to all my friends …
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