SUN CITY — These days, it seems as if there is always some new technology coming out. Today, there are no longer just landline phones and desktop computers. We now have laptops, tablets, smart phones, and that is just the start.
As exciting and fun as new technology can be, it can also be frustrating to learn so many new devices.
Members of Sun City’s Computer Club gather to learn during a recent meeting. The club educates members on new touchscreen devices like smartphones and tablets. (Christa Knight/Sun Day Photo)
Sun City’s Computer Club is devoted to helping the residents with the usage of touch-screen devices as well as helping them with other computer-related issues.
Sun City’s Computer Club is the largest in Sun City. It meets on the first Saturday of every month in Drendel Ballroom. First-time attendees are required to register. Coffee and donuts are served at each meeting.
Theresa Lind has been coming to the Computer Club for five years and is still amazed by the information she is learning.
“The introduction to new material that you might not even think of can all be learned here,” Lind said. “There is so much to learn!”
The Computer Club especially helps residents that are trying to switch over from a desktop computer to laptops and even those moving on to tablets.
According to Jim Nelson, president of the Computer Club, a large number of Sun City residents now have tablets of their own. The Computer Club explores questions like, “Is the tablet the new laptop?” “What are the pros and cons of tablet computing?” and “Which tablet is right for you?”
Lind found there is a lot to know when it comes to tablets. Downloading apps alone can be a difficult task without learning the process. Lind has had to ask her 11-year-old grandson in the past for help.
“Kids nowadays grow up using touch-screen devices, so it isn’t as difficult for them. It’s a whole transition for me. Tablets can grow on you,” she said.
As difficult as the tablets may seem at first, Lind finds they are easy to learn after coming to a few classes.
Bill Haseman started coming to computer club last year and reflected on how the convenience of laptops outweighs a desktop computer.
“I use my laptop exclusively now. I go on a desktop every once in a while, but just for the updates,” Haseman said.
“Another reason to join the computer class is just to get the exposure to these meetings on Saturdays,” Lind said. “I have a whole notebook full of notes I write.”
“It’s not that I remember it all, but every once in a while you hear a buzzword. I can think to myself ‘Hmm, I’ve heard that before,’ and I tend to have a recall,” Lind added.
Both Lind and Haseman have learned a great number of things during their time at Sun City’s Computer Club. With the constant changing of technology, the computer club makes sure to keep the classes interesting and new by inviting different speakers to talk about new topics.
There are many reasons one should join this club, but even just the reason for wanting to be more confident in your computer knowledge is enough. The Computer Club is something everyone can benefit from in one way or another, and you just may become surprised at what you learn.
