Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, we took a tour round the keyboard of a typical PC and applied it to some word-processing tasks. Filed under: 1-to-1 coaching, 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! …
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Author:Steve Palmer
I 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 with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I'm no Samuel Pepys! If you're looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you've arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it's all done with love!
I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!
Friends for the Weekend
This is what it’s all about! Having time to spend lots of quality time with friends! This weekend we played host to Nick & Celina and Ralph & Karen. Everyone arrived together and after a fab lunch (seafood risotto followed by lemon trifle) courtesy of Ann, we boys (together with Celina) disappeared to play with …
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The Future of the Petrol-Head
We, I think this self-confessed petro-head will soon be changing his name – to electric-head! As part of this weekend with friends, Ralph and Karen introduced us to their latest acquisition – the all electric Tesla P85D. The rather boring sounding name, hides the fact that this is the most advanced electric car to date. …
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Computer Coaching: Browser Essentials
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, in the second of our ‘Tuesday Classes’, we looked at the essentials of using an Internet Browser. 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 …
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Computer Coaching: Recap – Word Processing
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: A small class today (due mostly to holidays), so everyone got a bit more personal tuition. We concentrated on recapping on a previous module covering Word-Processing. Specifically, understanding and using the various toolbar icons in Word and Wordpad. Filed under: Design Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in …
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Walkies!
Another perfect day for sitting having a beer and generally doing nothing – so we met up with David and Valerie and went for a mega-walk. And when I say mega, I use the term in a relative way – it was mega for me!!! We started by walking down across the meadow, passed The …
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A Very Pheasant Evening!
After what felt like a very busy week (not bad for a retiree and a senior manager ‘between projects’), it was a perfect evening or a quick drive to one of our fave and local(ish) pub/restaurants – The Pheasant at Keyston. It was a beautiful evening and we even managed to bag a table outside. …
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Computer Coaching: A Tour Round your Laptop!
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today was the second in my series of ‘Tuesday Classes’. I gave the group a tour around the outside of their laptop, explaining the various sockets, lights and buttons. We also discussed how to keep the exterior in good condition. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve …
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Tablets: App Stores
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today was the second, in my occasional Monday afternoon classes for Tablet users. We looked at the App Stores and how to download and use apps. 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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Computer Coaching: Music on your PC (Part 2)
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today we concentrated on the theory of sampling music to your PC. 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 …
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Resurfacing the A14
We met up with Geoff, Rhonda, Paul and Sue today for lunch at The Vines. Unusually, the place was nearly empty when we arrived just before 12.30 but I guess it’s that time of year and lots of people are away on holiday. The weather was gorgeous – so much so, that Ann and I …
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Computer Coaching: Tuesdays are Go!
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Yay! The Monday class in Rothwell became so popular that now, here we are on Tuesdays too …and that was just through word of mouth! I have a fresh set of Learners all wanting to improve their PC skills. Today is the initial TNA and in the weeks that …
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Computer Coaching: Music on your PC (Part 1)
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, we began looking at how to listen to music on your PC. This introductory lesson looked at the difference between ‘streaming’ and ‘storing’ and we also discussed various music sources such ‘sampling’, ‘using iTunes’, ‘Amazon Music’ and ‘Google Music’. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve …
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Denis at 86
Lee had double-booked herself, so Ann and I drove up to Heckington for a celebratory lunch for Denis, who was 86 today! Happy Birthday Denis!!!! Bev had done all the hard work, and we tucked into a chicken salad – enough to feed the whole town – and it was all delicious! Ann sorted out …
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Computer Coaching: Maintaining a Healthy PC (Part 3)
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today we looked at the vast choice of AV programs for the PC. We also discussed the pros and cons of ‘free’ vs ‘paid for’ AV programs. 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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ATM Alert!
These days, the abbreviation ‘ATM’ is an everyday part of our lives (and maybe even bigger in Greece, at the moment!). But, ‘back in the day’ (and what now seems like a lifetime ago) when I was working full-time for Sainsbury’s, it meant something quite different – Area Training Manager. In my duties of looking …
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Planned Spontaneity!
Those that know us, know that we don’t ‘do’ last minute – but this week was an exception! The original plan was that Ann was due to attend her five-day Prince2 Course in Northampton beginning on Monday (yesterday) through until Friday, but 3 hours later she was back home! The reason? they’d cancelled the Course, …
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Computer Coaching: Maintaining a Healthy PC (Part 2)
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, we looked at virus and malware attacks in more detail – and how to avoid them. We also discussed the pros and cons of free AV products as well as the best the worst AV/Malware programs available for a PCs. Filed under: Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer …
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Life’s a Breach
Lee, Ann and I travelled up to Tolethorpe Hall today and met Jo, Janet and Carol there. Nothing like a bit of Shakespeare to send you to sleep stir the soul, and the ‘band of sisters’ bought tickets for a solid dose of culture – an ‘outdoor’ production of The Life of Henry V. Perfect …
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Computer Coaching: 1-to-1
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Another ‘1-to-1′ today working with a new Pupil who has recently left the Army and treated himself to a shiny new laptop. Filed under: 1-to-1 coaching, Delivery, Salvation Army, Skills Development, Volunteer Steve PalmerI got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – …
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Computer Coaching: Keep Taking the Tablets
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: This afternoon, I ran a pilot session covering ‘getting the most from your Tablet’. If we can get enough pupils, I’ll consider making this a semi-regular class. 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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Computer Coaching: Maintaining a Healthy PC
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today, I began a comprehensive session covering ‘PC Health’. There is so much to cover, I plan to spread the topic over a number of weeks. 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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BBQ Time
Believe it or not, this was our first official BBQ of 2015. And you can’t go wrong if Paul and Karen are organising it! All the ‘usual suspects’ were there – Dave, Rosi, Tom and Julie, but John and Trish had to cry-off due to a family emergency. It was the perfect evening for it, …
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Rutland Walkabout
What better way to spend the 1 year anniversary of acquiring the XKR, than by taking it on a slow drive round the county of Rutland? – more specifically, we planned to almost circum-navigate Rutland Water clockwise, and take in as many of the sights as time allowed. It was a gorgeous day – just …
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Stalag Pemberley – The Eastern Sector
David and I tackled the suspected ‘escape loophole’ for Biscuit today, by duplicating the established extra trellis construction from earlier this year, on the east (left) side of the garden, towards Karen and Paul’s. Biscuit Having tried a temporary construction over the past few weeks, we’re pretty sure that’s where she was exiting. David and …
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London – Scorchio!
With the media headlining: ‘country on meltdown’, it probably wasn’t the best day to have planned a visit to central London! Our reason for this madness was to catch-up with one of Mum and Dad’s best friends, Connie, and have lunch together. The added bonus was that with Ann between jobs, she was able to …
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Tablet Coaching: Fire!
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: I carried out some 1-to-1 coaching today for someone who had been given a Kindle Fire for Christmas, and hadn’t used it much since. We covered the menus, and what they do; plus, how to send an email and surf the ‘net. Filed under: Design Steve PalmerI got into …
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Computer Coaching: “And the Byte goes On”
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: With the Monday class now full, it was only a matter of time before we had to launch another class. So, I’m pleased to announce that from July 28th, there will also be computer coaching sessions on Tuesdays too! Places are limited, and after a flurry of signups yesterday, …
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Computer Coaching: Getting the Most from Google Maps
Auto cross-posted from my WordPress Blog: Today we looked at the myriad of features within Google Maps. Filed under: 1-to-1 coaching, 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 …
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Goodwood – Festival of Speed 2015
So, here I am on Friday at the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed with Ian H and Paul S. It’s my first visit here to the acknowledged mecca for petrol-heads! Ian and Paul are here Saturday and Sunday too, but my diary hasn’t been quite that generous this year – so maybe next time! It’s a …
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