Boomers in the nearly 100% online age of technology

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

My parents are boomers ('56 and '59) and they are just fine with technology.  My dad gets frustrated with smart phones but then so do I every time I upgrade.  Both of them have worked with computers, my mom more than my dad, the majority of their working lives.

My in-laws are the silent generation and can't really use technology.  My MIL has a laptop she uses for Facebook but that's it and sometimes she can barely do that.  SIL is over there all the time helping.

My grandmother couldn't even get that far.  My dad was driven so insane by her constant calls he went out there and took the computer back.  My GU is now blind but refuses to use Alexa or any type of technology to assist him he wants everything done for him by hand.  His nursing aides aren't paid near enough for that.

Sometimes I don't think it has to do so much with age as stubborn refusal to learn new things.  Don't get me wrong I know there are elderly people out there who have no help and/or cannot afford the technology to make their lives easier and don't have the ability to get to places where their are resources to help.

And there are some things that I swear are designed as obnoxiously as possible on purpose to discourage you from applying or seeking assistance.

People like my GU are just being assholes.  With the assistance of the association and my dad they can have his whole house wired so all he has to say is "Alexa request grocery delivery" and boom.  Nope he expects my dad to personally go shop for his groceries whenever he wants them because "he doesn't understand technology".  BS.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

my mom is 98, uses her ipad to communicate, pay bills, take lessons, etc.

and she doesnt look a day over 84


ETA: that's the greatest generation!


Not sure how boomers could be out of loop so young, likely too scared to try to learn/fear of being "dumb" in the begining of the computer age, never realizing how far it was going to go.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Mar 17, 2022 15:42:15 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

my mom is 98, uses her ipad to communicate, pay bills, take lessons, etc.

and she doesnt look a day over 84


ETA: that's the greatest generation!


Not sure how boomers could be out of loop so young, likely too scared to try to learn/fear of being "dumb" in the begining of the computer age, never realizing how far it was going to go.

My FIL learned how to use computers when they first came out  because he realized that was the future of the job.  Everyone else he worked with got laid off because they refused adapt.

Which worked out nicely because that left FIL as the only one who could use the newfangled machines meaning they had to keep him so he could train everyone else. 

[Opti]

Mar 17, 2022 15:35:01 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Mar 17, 2022 14:55:44 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

?? I thought that the boomers were born between 1946 and 1964? Some how I either got that wrong or you are by no measure on the tail end of that (my) generation. BTW I (1951) also took to computers without any problems.. 

I'm at the tail end of the boomers. In fact, as I was in adulthood, the definitions were shifting around and sometimes I was genX and sometimes boomer. it eventually settled into boomer for sure as the defining dates settled into a uniform range. my dob is less than 3 months away from genX and I certainly identified more with that group at earlier times in my life. I was also born slightly premature . so even closer to being a true genx

At some point I decided it was funny to embrace being a boomer as I looked about 15 years younger than I actually was so people's faces and initial arguments when I claimed boomer status was funny. But while I still look quite a bit younger than my age, I don't look at all "young" anymore and for the 30ish on down crowd, I am just a generic oldster. who cares if bommer of genx?

My DD still gets irate if I call myself a boomer, saying I am nothing like a boomer, she sees my older brother - less than 2 years older - as a definite boomer, but not me. Probably due to the "boomers killed the world" narative going on with the younger folks, and I've been vegan and recyling and boycotting certain companies for many decades. 

I only recently gave up status as a pretty tech savvy person. I did a lot of coding on a lot of different platforms over the years - starting with fortran77 and ending with python and R, but my promotion moved me into an AVP role and I'm really surprised at how quickly I lost that prowess. I do most things in excel now and hire out/subcontract the heavy programing for my Rukh, Inc. work. I'm not sure if I would have so blithely gone down this path if I knew I'd be losing some things as well as gaining. I probably would have, even solely due to money, but there are a lot of other perks too. I'm still helping out younger coworkers with my excel and word savvy. I'm not remotely IT, my coding is just around data manipualtion and analysis, but even those with computer science degrees and under 25 years of age are still learning a bit from me on the tech side. That will likely end in another few year or so. Maybe that was yesterday, lol? And I certainly learned great tips from them as well. I'm great with building complex equations in excel, and all the keyboard shortcuts, but the last few years gained great understanding on what can be done with pivot tables and lookup in excel.

My youngest sister is probably near your age. 1964 late August. I'm earlier, 1960, but its funny how some people age. Someone in the complex is my age, 61, and was shocked yet again when I confirmed we were the same age. 

I want to learn pivot tables. Not vegan, but I was into health foods in HS after writing a paper. I prefer to not talk about my age and converse more generally about years as it seems to work better with most people. There is so much to learn in this life including any piece of tech. My pet peeve though is when people say X knows computers, and really all it is is X is current on various MS software. 

One of these days I'll probably lose it on one of those less than knowledgeable folks. And ask how well do they know computers? Have they ever had their hand intimately in the computer's guts or changed circuit boards? Are they acquainted with the current boot process and memory management? Some of the younger set think computers were born out of full cloth when Windows became a GUI. 

[Opti]

Mar 17, 2022 15:50:20 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Mar 17, 2022 15:42:15 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

my mom is 98, uses her ipad to communicate, pay bills, take lessons, etc.

and she doesnt look a day over 84


ETA: that's the greatest generation!


Not sure how boomers could be out of loop so young, likely too scared to try to learn/fear of being "dumb" in the begining of the computer age, never realizing how far it was going to go.

My FIL learned how to use computers when they first came out  because he realized that was the future of the job.  Everyone else he worked with got laid off because they refused adapt.

Which worked out nicely because that left FIL as the only one who could use the newfangled machines meaning they had to keep him so he could train everyone else. 

Not sure when my dad learned what when, but he did part of the end of his career working with very large printers and sorters. The kind the post office uses to process huge volumes of mail. Like some shared here, my mom learned Apple computers because of teaching. 

[Tiny]

Mar 17, 2022 15:42:15 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Not sure how boomers could be out of loop so young, likely too scared to try to learn/fear of being "dumb" in the begining of the computer age, never realizing how far it was going to go.

My Older Siblings (all in their 60s/early 70's) got dragged into computers/technology by their gradeschool age children. Only one sibling had kids "early" in life (in 20's) - the others waited til late 30's early 40's.

If you 50 years old and your oldest kid - an 8 year old needs to have a computer/printer at home for school (or games or because everyone has one) you get a computer/printer...

[nidena]

Mar 17, 2022 15:09:53 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Mar 16, 2022 18:02:18 GMT -5 nidena said:

This kind of goes with the Aging Parent and the Ageism at Self-checkout threads but feels more general than either of those.

I had to help my parents get their tax documents ready this weekend.  I don't think they would have been totally lost without my help but it definitely would have gone much slower had they had to do it.

They had all the paperwork but Dad, who has dementia, might have moved all the papers to a secure spot somewhere in the office when the housecleaners came over and he and my stepmom tore the office apart trying to find where they put them.  No luck.  So, they had to get everything online and print the forms to send them off.  

Well, the printer wasn't working so they had to take that to Best Buy and ended up getting a brand new one in exchange.  Then I had the fun pleasure of setting everything up for wireless printing on their computers and my stepmom's phone.  THAT involved downloading various things from the HP website to the computer and downloading the app on her phone.

After that, we had to create accounts for each of them on the Social Security website, their current mortgage website, and the previous mortgage website (mortgage got sold in the fall).  Thankfully, my dad's military pension paperwork for found in the office and I didn't have to worry about setting up an account on the MyPay website.

That took the better part of this past weekend to take care of, what with the trip to Best Buy and all the account making/document downloading.

It got me wondering how many other folx their age are getting lost in the shuffle due to similar situations.

Anyone else dealing with this in their lives?

how old are your parents? 

Dad is 75, stepmom is 84 next week.

[NoNamePerson]

I love all these titles regarding age! I remember being call a “war baby”.   I never started a war in my life. 

[susana1954]

I am a year younger than @athena53, and whoever said it is right: we aren't at the tail end of the Boomers unless you are doing that Generation Jones thing.

My ex was a computer programmer beginning back in 1972, which was before computer programming was a specific degree.  Companies hired people who majored in subjects that were logical by nature (math, philosophy, etc.) and trained them to program.  So we were always early adopters beginning with the Radio Shack version (backed up to a tape player!) and the Leading Edge (IBM clone) that I used in graduate school beginning in 1987.

I have 3 Alexas . . . two basic ones and a Tap that I can take out to the deck.  I will be sad when the Tap dies because they don't make them any more.  I have a Ring doorbell, two smart plugs, and a smart light bulb that I adore since I don't have to leave the porch light on.  To me, that's a signal that I'm out.  I would have a Nest, but the truth is that I don't adjust the thermostat.  It stays on 69 in winter and 72 in summer.  Oh, and I stream my tv series plus have a tablet.  I had a Fitbit, but it annoyed me to have something on my wrist so I gave it to one of my nieces.

So this Boomer is fine in the age of technology.  I LIKE technology.  Except . . . 

What I was resistant to was the cell phone.  To be fair, we had one of those as early as 1993 or 1994, or rather a car phone that we gave to our daughter so she could always call home.  Ex worked for AT&T so the cost was minimal.  But I never really wanted one of my own.   I don't really like phones that much.  I have an I-phone these days that mostly stays in my purse.  The only app I use much is the WW one because you can scan barcodes to get the point value of almost any food.  Everyone knows not to call me on the cellphone because I never answer.

[Tennesseer]

[NoNamePerson]

Mar 17, 2022 17:48:51 GMT -5 susana1954 said:

I am a year younger than @athena53 , and whoever said it is right: we aren't at the tail end of the Boomers unless you are doing that Generation Jones thing.

My ex was a computer programmer beginning back in 1972, which was before computer programming was a specific degree.  Companies hired people who majored in subjects that were logical by nature (math, philosophy, etc.) and trained them to program.  So we were always early adopters beginning with the Radio Shack version (backed up to a tape player!) and the Leading Edge (IBM clone) that I used in graduate school beginning in 1987.

I have 3 Alexas . . . two basic ones and a Tap that I can take out to the deck.  I will be sad when the Tap dies because they don't make them any more.  I have a Ring doorbell, two smart plugs, and a smart light bulb that I adore since I don't have to leave the porch light on.  To me, that's a signal that I'm out.  I would have a Nest, but the truth is that I don't adjust the thermostat.  It stays on 69 in winter and 72 in summer.  Oh, and I stream my tv series plus have a tablet.  I had a Fitbit, but it annoyed me to have something on my wrist so I gave it to one of my nieces.

So this Boomer is fine in the age of technology.  I LIKE technology.  Except . . . 

What I was resistant to was the cell phone.  To be fair, we had one of those as early as 1993 or 1994, or rather a car phone that we gave to our daughter so she could always call home.  Ex worked for AT&T so the cost was minimal.  But I never really wanted one of my own.   I don't really like phones that much.  I have an I-phone these days that mostly stays in my purse.  The only app I use much is the WW one because you can scan barcodes to get the point value of almost any food.  Everyone knows not to call me on the cellphone because I never answer.

I had cell phone back in 93, Motorola flip phone. Think I paid $11.00 a month. My resistance to smart phone was I knew it was another addiction waiting to happen to an internet junkie. It was only couple years ago when Verizon said no longer supporting phone I had. Got iPhone but it’s just a phone. I did ask my son to call me on it so I could get used to some features, etc.  I use it to text him if at work so he knows it can wait till he is free to talk. But he does call me exclusively on cell. I use mine mainly for texting. I get a few alerts from accounts but I also get alerts thru email I access on tablet or pc. 

Now if I was younger, had kids, worked full time I would be on it just like everyone else! There’s just not that need at this stage in my life. I’m wired enough. But admit that I don’t walk to mailbox without phone in pocket. It’s almost like a security blanket now!  

But if someone calls on cell I will answer

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Mar 17, 2022 17:53:21 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

this is really so unfair. They are both extremely talented.

[raeoflyte]

So not related, but I was leaving the library the other day and an older gentleman was returning a book outside with his dog, and when he left said "let's go Boomer" and I am absolutely crushed that I didn't think to name devil dog that.

[Tennesseer]

Mar 17, 2022 18:10:30 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Mar 17, 2022 17:53:21 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

this is really so unfair. They are both extremely talented.

I know.

[buystoys]

I am at the very tail end of the Boomers (generation Jones if you use that definition) and DH is seven years older than I am.  I prefer to do everything possible on line.  He prefers actual paper.  I've made up a spread sheet with all our on line bills, banking, etc. for him to use if I pass first.  He'll switch everything back over to paper most likely.

I've used computers for years at work, so I''m fairly comfortable with them.  He was in construction and only used a computer for personal use.  He's OK with them, but not very savvy.  He hates his smart phone.  He had a flip phone until they weren't available any longer.  In his words, he just wants a phone to be able to make calls.  He doesn't appreciate all the bells and whistles.

I'm not a heavy smart phone user, either.  I just don't feel a need to be constantly tethered to it.  If I don't know something, I can always search it when I get home if it's that important to me.  I'm a PC user rather than a phone user.

[Deleted]

Mar 17, 2022 17:48:51 GMT -5 susana1954 said:

I had a Fitbit, but it annoyed me to have something on my wrist so I gave it to one of my nieces.

I LOVE mine but I'd never given up wearing a watch. It's helped me cope with the cardiac insufficiency- I can see my heart rate during exercise, tell my cardiologist how long I work out at what level on a typical day, and feel somewhat reassured as long as things look stable. It's made me a little compulsive about getting in 10,000 steps a day, though. Last weekend when I got back from classes at 7 PM, I hit the treadmill in the hotel.

Mar 17, 2022 18:06:17 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

I had cell phone back in 93, Motorola flip phone. Think I paid $11.00 a month.

I got a cell phone after I separated from the Ex in 1996. He'd run up over $1,000 of charges on our land line. It was back when nearly every call, even within NJ, was a toll call, and he was having long, boozy calls with friends and conversations with people in Australia with whom he was going to collaborate on some hot business deal. Never happened, of course. He was unemployed and I was scrambling to pay the bills and the phone service got disconnected. The service had been in his name but they refused to start it in mine since it was the same address. So, I got a "brick" phone and by being VERY careful, kept the bill to under $100/month. They charged by the minute for incoming and outgoing calls. No Internet, of course, since you needed dial-up. I once went to the public library with my laptop because the pay phone had a port for connecting a dial-up cable. As soon as I moved after the divorce (AT&T was paid from his share of the assets), they welcomed me with open arms when I wanted to start phone service at my new home.

I'm glad that technology and competition have improved. I now pay $19/month for cell phone service from Ting.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Mar 18, 2022 5:00:14 GMT -5 buystoys said:

I am at the very tail end of the Boomers (generation Jones if you use that definition) and DH is seven years older than I am.  I prefer to do everything possible on line.  He prefers actual paper.  I've made up a spread sheet with all our on line bills, banking, etc. for him to use if I pass first.  He'll switch everything back over to paper most likely.

I've used computers for years at work, so I''m fairly comfortable with them.  He was in construction and only used a computer for personal use.  He's OK with them, but not very savvy.  He hates his smart phone.  He had a flip phone until they weren't available any longer.  In his words, he just wants a phone to be able to make calls.  He doesn't appreciate all the bells and whistles.

I'm not a heavy smart phone user, either.  I just don't feel a need to be constantly tethered to it.  If I don't know something, I can always search it when I get home if it's that important to me.  I'm a PC user rather than a phone user.

I never heard of generation jones before and I guess I'm part of it - born in 64. But one of the things mentioned was not having a father that was a WWII veteran - but mine was, and all/most of my uncles too. My parents were both in their 40's when I was born. That's kind of common nowadays, but was uncommon to unusual in the 60's.

[buystoys]

Mar 18, 2022 11:25:12 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Mar 18, 2022 5:00:14 GMT -5 buystoys said:

I am at the very tail end of the Boomers (generation Jones if you use that definition) and DH is seven years older than I am.  I prefer to do everything possible on line.  He prefers actual paper.  I've made up a spread sheet with all our on line bills, banking, etc. for him to use if I pass first.  He'll switch everything back over to paper most likely.

I've used computers for years at work, so I''m fairly comfortable with them.  He was in construction and only used a computer for personal use.  He's OK with them, but not very savvy.  He hates his smart phone.  He had a flip phone until they weren't available any longer.  In his words, he just wants a phone to be able to make calls.  He doesn't appreciate all the bells and whistles.

I'm not a heavy smart phone user, either.  I just don't feel a need to be constantly tethered to it.  If I don't know something, I can always search it when I get home if it's that important to me.  I'm a PC user rather than a phone user.

I never heard of generation jones before and I guess I'm part of it - born in 64. But one of the things mentioned was not having a father that was a WWII veteran - but mine was, and all/most of my uncles too. My parents were both in their 40's when I was born. That's kind of common nowadays, but was uncommon to unusual in the 60's.

Yeah, my dad was in the Korean conflict after the war.  My parents were in their 20's when I was born.

[happyhoix]

Mar 16, 2022 19:25:12 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I was in high school during the 1960s. The high school subject that has helped me out in life was taking Typing 1 (manual) and Typing 2 (electric). I have used a keyboard and monitor screen in all my adult jobs. Taking typing in high school served me well.

I was visiting my parents around 2001. They had a computer my mother used to play games on (mom was in the middle stage of Alzheimer's disease-so the game playing). Parents were born in 1924.

Dad kept all of his stock market information on paper spreadshoots-data entered in pencil.

While I was visiting and to get dad a little experience with computers, I transfered all his stock market information onto Excel spreadsheets on their computer. I set it up that all dad had to do was enter a number and the info would change itself. I even set up charts that would update themselves when he entered raw data. All dad had to do was tap the SAVE button now and then and all would be well.

Found out after I got home dad walked away from it. He went back to pencil and paper. Computers were too complicated for him.

The parents also gave away an expensive TV I bought them one Christmas. They gave it to my older brother because the remote control was too complicated.

I was in high school in 1974 to 78 and they had a big Voc ed program for secretary training with ultra modern electric type writers. Anyone else interested in learning how to type like me got relegated to a dark little classroom with ancient manual typewriters. Probably the most useful class I took, though, since I used it as a part time job type setting for the school paper in college and used it in every job since.

When I worked with a bunch of two finger typists (engineers and maintenance guys) I would sit with my hands on my keyboard tray under my desk while watching the monitor, much to the amazement of the guys coming into the office who couldn’t believe I didn’t have to watch my hands to type. Witchcraft!!!😁

[Tennesseer]

Mar 19, 2022 10:49:03 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

Mar 16, 2022 19:25:12 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I was in high school during the 1960s. The high school subject that has helped me out in life was taking Typing 1 (manual) and Typing 2 (electric). I have used a keyboard and monitor screen in all my adult jobs. Taking typing in high school served me well.

I was visiting my parents around 2001. They had a computer my mother used to play games on (mom was in the middle stage of Alzheimer's disease-so the game playing). Parents were born in 1924.

Dad kept all of his stock market information on paper spreadshoots-data entered in pencil.

While I was visiting and to get dad a little experience with computers, I transfered all his stock market information onto Excel spreadsheets on their computer. I set it up that all dad had to do was enter a number and the info would change itself. I even set up charts that would update themselves when he entered raw data. All dad had to do was tap the SAVE button now and then and all would be well.

Found out after I got home dad walked away from it. He went back to pencil and paper. Computers were too complicated for him.

The parents also gave away an expensive TV I bought them one Christmas. They gave it to my older brother because the remote control was too complicated.

I was in high school in 1974 to 78 and they had a big Voc ed program for secretary training with ultra modern electric type writers. Anyone else interested in learning how to type like me got relegated to a dark little classroom with ancient manual typewriters. Probably the most useful class I took, though, since I used it as a part time job type setting for the school paper in college and used it in every job since.

When I worked with a bunch of two finger typists (engineers and maintenance guys) I would sit with my hands on my keyboard tray under my desk while watching the monitor, much to the amazement of the guys coming into the office who couldn’t believe I didn’t have to watch my hands to type. Witchcraft!!!😁

During high school we had one of these Underwood typewriters at home. Pre-typing classes it was awkward using these but the teachers want writing assignments typed for easy reading. Post-typing classes, it was easy to use.



In the mid-70s when I began my career with the company I am now retired from, I used some type of ticker-tape machine to transmit nightly aircraft weight and balance stats to flight operations. I typed out the information first onto tape and then fed the tape through another part of the machine which then sent it to flight operations.

Shortly after that we then starting using computers to send email type messages for the stats.

[NoNamePerson]

Mar 19, 2022 11:08:09 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Mar 19, 2022 10:49:03 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

I was in high school in 1974 to 78 and they had a big Voc ed program for secretary training with ultra modern electric type writers. Anyone else interested in learning how to type like me got relegated to a dark little classroom with ancient manual typewriters. Probably the most useful class I took, though, since I used it as a part time job type setting for the school paper in college and used it in every job since.

When I worked with a bunch of two finger typists (engineers and maintenance guys) I would sit with my hands on my keyboard tray under my desk while watching the monitor, much to the amazement of the guys coming into the office who couldn’t believe I didn’t have to watch my hands to type. Witchcraft!!!😁

During high school we had one of these Underwood typewriters at home. Pre-typing classes it was awkward using these but the teachers want writing assignments typed for easy reading. Post-typing classes, it was easy to use.



In the mid-70s when I began my career with the company I am now retired from, I used some type of ticker-tape machine to transmit nightly aircraft weight and balance stats to flight operations. I typed out the information first onto tape and then fed the tape through another part of the machine which then sent it to flight operations.

Shortly after that we then starting using computers to send email type messages for the stats.

I earned spending money in school because professors wanted papers typed. I charged $10 a page. If over 5 pages I gave a set price of $40. This was in 61-63. I used a Smith Corona portable in carrying case! It was a high school graduation present     Mine was turquoise too. Matched my turquoise Emerson transistor radio   Talk about old as dirt.  


 

[andi9899]

Mom was born in 52 and dad in in 55. They both can conduct basic internet searches online but that's about it.

Recently my niece got a jury summons that conflicts with her school schedule. I said all she has to do is go online and ask for a deferral. Mom got all excited because she has to learn how to handle adult business since she's 18 and needs to start adulting. I informed her that one can do plenty of adulting online. She insisted she had to call or go to the courthouse. This started a huge thing with me arguing that it's 2022 and nobody talks on the phone anymore. Niece ended up just doing it online.

My grandma was born in 36 and I just created her first email so she could sign into the tablet that I bought her so she can play her casino games from her recliner. She still has a landline and flip phone. She mails checks to pay her bills or does it in person. The tablet is the most technology she's ever owned.

[seriousthistime]

I was born in '51 and manage a good bit of my life online.  It would probably be a different situation if I hadn't needed to use a computer for school (adult/nontraditional student) or work.  

My brother, a few years younger than me, didn't need a computer for work and never really learned all the stuff you can do online.  Which is a shame, because he is a sponge who loves to learn and absorbs new information quickly. There's a whole world out there for him if he would just learn how to look for it. 

[Opti]

Mar 19, 2022 11:53:20 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Mom was born in 52 and dad in in 55. They both can conduct basic internet searches online but that's about it.

Recently my niece got a jury summons that conflicts with her school schedule. I said all she has to do is go online and ask for a deferral. Mom got all excited because she has to learn how to handle adult business since she's 18 and needs to start adulting. I informed her that one can do plenty of adulting online. She insisted she had to call or go to the courthouse. This started a huge thing with me arguing that it's 2022 and nobody talks on the phone anymore. Niece ended up just doing it online.

My grandma was born in 36 and I just created her first email so she could sign into the tablet that I bought her so she can play her casino games from her recliner. She still has a landline and flip phone. She mails checks to pay her bills or does it in person. The tablet is the most technology she's ever owned.

I would have thought the jury summons would have had all the info for deferrals on it including URL and phone numbers. Its 2022, and plenty of people still make phone calls. Otherwise, there would be no jobs answering phone calls or making them. I prefer phone calls for some things as forms only allow you to do what they allow you to do.

There are many people in this world, and for everyone like your grandmother, there is probably someone like my dad who was born before her. I'm not sure when he got involved in electronics, but I do remember sorting resistors, transistors and other components on our kitchen table for him to build something and to prep for teaching it. I would still have a landline if Verizon hadn't retired all the copper lines. Sad because voice quality over copper lines is superior to a cell phone. And the great thing about those copper landlines is you didn't need power to use them. I have a smartphone and a VOIP phone. The latter will be unusable if I lose power as I will lose the internet as well. 

[Lizard Queen]

Mar 19, 2022 11:42:09 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Mar 19, 2022 11:08:09 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

During high school we had one of these Underwood typewriters at home. Pre-typing classes it was awkward using these but the teachers want writing assignments typed for easy reading. Post-typing classes, it was easy to use.



In the mid-70s when I began my career with the company I am now retired from, I used some type of ticker-tape machine to transmit nightly aircraft weight and balance stats to flight operations. I typed out the information first onto tape and then fed the tape through another part of the machine which then sent it to flight operations.

Shortly after that we then starting using computers to send email type messages for the stats.

I earned spending money in school because professors wanted papers typed. I charged $10 a page. If over 5 pages I gave a set price of $40. This was in 61-63. I used a Smith Corona portable in carrying case! It was a high school graduation present     Mine was turquoise too. Matched my turquoise Emerson transistor radio   Talk about old as dirt.  


 

If that's a manual typewriter,  we had one just like it.

[NoNamePerson]

Lizard Queen. It was a manual. It was given to me in 1961. 

[Opti]

Mar 19, 2022 14:01:58 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Lizard Queen . It was a manual. It was given to me in 1961. 

I had a bigger one than Tenn's on a cart perhaps when I was in Jr. High. Not sure if it originally was mom's or dad's.

[NoNamePerson]

Mar 19, 2022 14:29:51 GMT -5 Opti said:

Mar 19, 2022 14:01:58 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Lizard Queen . It was a manual. It was given to me in 1961. 

I had a bigger one than Tenn's on a cart perhaps when I was in Jr. High. Not sure if it originally was mom's or dad's.

The one Tennesseer Posted is what I had in high school in typing class! 

[Deleted]

When DH's father passed away in the 80's, we kept his old Remington manual just because it was so cool. FIL could knock out letters on it all day long because that was how reports were prepared back in his Army days, carbons and all.

[TheOtherMe]

Mar 19, 2022 11:53:20 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

Recently my niece got a jury summons that conflicts with her school schedule. I said all she has to do is go online and ask for a deferral. Mom got all excited because she has to learn how to handle adult business since she's 18 and needs to start adulting. I informed her that one can do plenty of adulting online. She insisted she had to call or go to the courthouse. This started a huge thing with me arguing that it's 2022 and nobody talks on the phone anymore. Niece ended up just doing it online.

My dad was well in to his 90's and had dementia when he got his last jury summons.  He was all excited about it but wanted to know if I would take him since he didn't drive.  I took the summons and called the number.  They told me to go online and put the information about his age and dementia and that he would not serve.  

I told them I would not want him on a jury because he spent more time sleeping than awake in addition to his dementia.  

At least dad still realized there were issues he could not handle and he always asked me if they came in the mail.

At age 18, your niece does need to start adulting online and she did it.