Computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones

A guide to using computers, laptops,  tablets and smartphones

This is a basic guide on using computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones produced for members of the Exmouth and District u3a.  This guide is intended for those who are new or unfamiliar or not very confident with computers and other devices, and also for those who may wish to revise their skills or find out something specific.

The contents is immediately below (just click or tap on each heading if you want to get through to the later sections). We start by looking at what's best to buy and getting connected. The next section gives details of information and online learning for a range of computer skills. Then we touch on anti-virus software, keeping safe and additional help. To look at something in more detail, just click or tap on the links (blue underlined text) and then proving you are online you will get straight through.

What computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone to buy?

There is a huge range of computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones available. Broadly they fit into categories by manufacturer or operating system - mainly Microsoft, Apple or Google. Which you select will probably depend on your budget and what you want to use your computer or other device for.

• Microsoft uses its Windows 10 operating system, now being replaced by Windows 11, on computers and laptops and a version of Windows 10 or 11 on Microsoft Surface tablets. Its internet browser is Microsoft Edge.

• Apple (MacBook, Mac mini-computer, iPad or iPhone) uses what it calls the OS X or iOS operating system, is expensive but high quality, and generally they do not link in with non-Apple devices. Its internet browser is Safari.

• Google uses its own operating system on Chromebook laptops and on Android tablets and smartphones, with Chrome as its internet browser. 

My personal preference for ease of use, reliability, compatibility and value for money is a Chromebook for a laptop and Android for a tablet or smartphone. For more detail you may find it helpful to take a look at the John Lewis website that gives some useful guidance - see https://www.johnlewis.com/buying-guides/computer-buying-guide,  https://www.johnlewis.com/buying-guides/laptops-buying-guide, https://www.johnlewis.com/buying-guides/tablets-buying-guide or https://www.johnlewis.com/buying-guides/mobile-phones-buying-guide. Which magazine also gives helpful guidance but it's subscription only (although you may be able to see this in the library). Alternatively you can use Google (or other search engine) to search for more information. Or ask around for recommendations from family members and friends.

Getting connected

Getting started: There is usually a quick set-up leaflet supplied with your computer or device which will explain how you can connect to the internet. If you haven't been given one, your instruction manual will explain how to do this (see section below). Whilst you can connect to the internet using wi-fi in a public place, this may not always be secure. If you have a mobile phone with a reasonable amount of data within your contract, you may find this wi-fi connection sufficient and you can also use your phone data connection to provide a data connection on your other devices (this is known as 'tethering'). But the best solution is probably  to have your own broadband router or hub for wi-fi broadband connection at home.

Broadband provider: Selecting which broadband provider to have at home and what sort of contract to have is a very subjective matter. If you have Sky or Virgin Media or a mobile phone contract you may be able to get a home broadband service from them. Otherwise the service is likely to be via a telephone cable to your home, possibly enhanced by superfast fibre (or whatever terms your broadband supplier may use). To choose, factors will depend on your budget, how much data you are likely to want use (most suppliers now offer unlimited data), speed of connection and local factors. Personal recommendation is probably best (check out with family, friends or neighbours). Or there is plenty of advice on websites (although you will need a connection first - or use the free facilities in the library), for example  https://www.uswitch.com/broadband/providers or https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/broadband-deals/article/best-broadband-providers (if you have a subscription to Which).

Computer skills 

Once you have your computer or device, it is advisable to download the manual or instruction booklet onto your device for future reference. Search on your browser for your model number, and then download the manual. It will normally be in a PDF (portable document format) which is an easy-to read version. This should give you most of the information you need to know about how to use your particular computer or device.

Learn My Way

For general instruction or advice on basic computer skills the free "Learn My Way" website offers some useful short online courses. The link to general information and a video about it is https://www.learnmyway.com, and the list of computer subjects is at https://www.learnmyway.com/subjects. A PDF listing these topics from this website is below, right at the bottom of this webpage (scroll right down). All of the courses and materials are free, but you will need to register to access most of these resources (requiring an email address and a password of your choosing).

Skills for Tomorrow, from British Telecom

British Telecom has recently launched a major new Skills for Tomorrow  initiative - https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow. "Empowering you with the skills you need today, for a better tomorrow". It's intended to benefit all generations and is free to everyone (not just BT customers). BT says it's "a free digital skills programme to help you and 10 million people across the UK go beyond limits and reach their full potential. We've teamed up with amazing partners, like LinkedIn Learning and Google Digital Garage to provide online and face-to-face learning to help you thrive in a digital future." BT has itself produced the material in the section pitched at parents, and the other partners are Learn My  Way (which I recommended above) and iDEA.  You may find that some of this material may be helpful to you or possibly to other members of your family or others. Again all of the courses and materials are free, but you will need to register to access most of these resources (requiring an email address and a password of your choosing).

The main category is called Navigating your daily life, and this features basic guides about being online and using computers - https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life.html. There are five main sections:

• Mastering the basics - https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/mastering-the-basics.html . 

  • • Before your start (covers topics on using a computer, keyboard, mouse and touchscreen) - https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/mastering-the-basics/before-you-start.html 

    • Digital tools (covers topics such as introduction to office programs, using email, creating documents, spreadsheets and presentations, and what is the cloud) - https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/mastering-the-basics/digital-tools.html 

    • Making the most of the internet (covers topics on the internet and web, using the internet, search engines, online forms, online shopping, watching and listening online and digital research) - https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/mastering-the-basics/making-the-most-of-the-internet.html 

    • Discovering social media (covers topics on social media set-up, using Facebook, socialising online, how to rock social media, and fake news) - https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/mastering-the-basics/discovering-social-media.html 

    • Making your life easier (covers topics on internet of things, automation, smart internet, and using a digital camera) - https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/mastering-the-basics/making-your-life-easier.html 

• Keeping yourself safe online - https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/keeping-yourself-safe-online.html.This covers topics on safe online, keeping your personal data safe, being safe online, keeping your device safe, e-safety and online etiquette and cyber security.

• Managing your money - https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/managing-your-money.html. This covers topics on e-commerce, money management, make money work and online and mobile banking.

• Accessing public services - https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/accessing-public-services.html. This covers topics on the NHS website, GP services online, using public services online, and universal credit.

• Enhancing your wellbeing - https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/enhancing-your-wellbeing.html. This covers topics on introduction to digital wellbeing and digital ethics.

GSF Global & GSF LearnFree website 

In addition, the GSF Global & GSF LearnFree website is very useful - at https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/subjects/i-want-to  (with a very short introductory video at https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en ).  This offer a good range of free courses and tutorials which look really good, and they do not require any login (so no need to worry about email addresses and passwords to access these resources). Main sections of relevance here include:

• Get started with computers: https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/topics/computers - which includes computer basics, basic computer skills, mouse and typing tutorials, and tech savvy tips and tricks

• Learn Microsoft Office:  https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/topics/office2016 - which includes tutorials on the 2016 versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint

• Design nice-looking docs: https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/topics/creativity-and-design - includes digital photography, image editing and Photoshop basics.

The courses are free and unlike the offerings via BT, they do not required registration, which makes them very accessible.

The BBC 

The BBC also has some useful resources. There are a number of short videos at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p018hhbb. Its Bitesize courses on ICT are at https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zqmtsbk (these are actually for GCSE syllabus). Some older material which is still interesting and relevant (now archived) is at http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/subjects/information_technology.shtml.

ThoughtCo

More free courses are available via this website: https://www.thoughtco.com/online-computer-classes-1098078 (for example https://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/BC/BeginnersComputing.html). They also do not require any login (so no need to worry about email addresses and passwords to access these resources).

Free iPad training

For those of you who use iPads, I discovered a good 15 minute video introduction from Richard Hirstwood of Hirstwood Training at http://www.riverwalk.suffolk.sch.uk/ipadresources.html. This features some older iPad models, but much of this still relates to the latest versions.

One of the best ways of learning about iPads, though, is to download Apple's iPad user guide ebook for your particular version of your iPad operating system via Apple's iBooks store. It's free - and comprehensive (over 300 pages for the version I use!). And there are also some other free ebooks available on this subject via Apple's iBooks store. Also Apple offer some good online advice and support via its website at https://getsupport.apple.com/ and  https://www.apple.com/uk/retail/geniusbar/,and you can connect, phone, chat or email from here.

The local Apple store in Exeter offers free advice and some training fin using its products. You may need to book this in advance, and for details see https://www.apple.com/uk/retail/princesshay/. It's currently closed because of the coronavirus restrictions.

Additional information

You can get additional information and guidance by typing what you want to know into the Google search engine (or other search engine). Also the library has useful textbooks that you can borrow. 

For keeping up to date and for all sorts of useful articles, advice, tips and how-to guides, take a look at the latest editions of the Computer Active magazine or Web User magazine. You can get the current and past editions free from the Devon Libraries' excellent online magazine services. More detail on how to do this is  in the Literature section of my Exmouth Arts website - https://www.exmoutharts.co.uk/whats-on/literature (and click or scroll down to the ejournal section at the bottom of the webpage).

Anti-virus software

It is important that your computer or device is protected against computer viruses and malware. Apple devices do not normally require any extra protection, Google Chromebooks have multiple levels of security built in and Android tablets and smartphones are protected by Google Protect software. 

Microsoft Windows 10 has anti-virus software built in which is in the form of Windows Defender (see https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/comprehensive-security). Some people like to install additional anti-virus and anti-malware software which you can pay for, or there are some free software options which have good reviews - see, for example, https://www.avg.com/en/signal/best-free-antivirus-software.

Keeping safe

Useful information about scams other problems that you may encounter and how to report these is available from the national Action Fraud website at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ (and see especially https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/individual-protection). There is a good booklet called "The Little Book of Big Scams" published by Devon & Cornwall Police which you can read or download at https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/your-money/fraud/little-big-book-of-scams/.  Trading Standards South West have also published a useful Scamwise booklet on this  at https://www.tssw.org.uk/consumers/scamwise-2. 

We have also covered this in some guidance published in an article called  "Think before you click - safe computing for U3Aers" - on our own U3A website at https://u3asites.org.uk/files/e/exmouth/docs/securityarticlefinal.pdf. Also if you are having problems receiving emails, we have posted some guidance which may help in learning how to deal with this, and it's on our Exmouth U3A website at https://u3asites.org.uk/files/e/exmouth/docs/receivingemailsfromu3a170319.pdf.

Exmouth & District U3A held an excellent half-day event on Cybercrime Awareness, and there is an excellent four page report summarising what was said on pages 4 to 7 of the March newsletter - currently at https://u3asites.org.uk/files/e/exmouth/docs/exmouthu3amarch2020newsletter.pdf 

Broadband and internet speeds

Slow or variable broadband speeds can be a problem for many of us. Our U3A Tech Team have prepared a 2-page guide to this which also has some useful links. You can read or download it by clicking or tapping on the image below, or clicking or tapping here.

Additional help

Here are some suggestions on ways to get additional help:

• Exmouth Library and other Devon libraries occasionally offer drop-in sessions or workshops on specific computer-related subjects. This has been done locally at Exmouth Library in the past in conjunction with Learn Devon in Victoria Road, Exmouth, sometimes using the Learn My Way materials (see section above). The relevant websites are https://www.devonlibraries.org.uk/web/arena/exmouthlibrary and https://www.learndevon.co.uk/centres/exmouth. Exeter Library currently offers free IT drop-in sessions every Wednesday and also some courses for beginners based on Learn My Way - see https://www.devonlibraries.org.uk/web/arena/exeterlibrary

• The charity AbilityNet can provide free computer support to older people and disabled people of all ages. Its main focus relates to getting things set up and going (not training), and there is only one volunteer in East Devon at present. The website is https://abilitynet.org.uk/, and the freephone number is 0800 269 545. The website also offers some very useful online resources relating to accessibility in particular - see https://abilitynet.org.uk/free-resources and https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk 

• If there is sufficient demand, Exmouth & District U3A may be able to organise occasional computer clinics for members. If you may be interested in this at some stage in the future, please let me know by email at john.hunt@gmx.co.uk 

• And don't forget that one of the easiest ways to find out more or to get solutions to your computing issues or problems is to type a topic or well-constructed question into a search engine such as Google. But make sure that any information you may act on is from a trusted source!

What do you think?

Has this been useful and of interest to you? Is there anything that you didn't understand? Or anything more that could be added? Any comments on these resources? Does this form of accessing information and using these learning resources work for you? And do you want to compare notes and experiences with other members or share any of this with others? Any feedback would be welcome.

John Hunt  - john.hunt@gmx.co.uk 

1 April 2020

This is an expanded version of a topic originally produced for Exmouth & District U3A's Connect & Learn Group. 

The original version of this is also available as a PDF which you can see and download by clicking on the image immediately below or via this link. Note that this is not as comprehensive or as up-to-date as the full online version above.

About Photobooks

Bryan Webb, one of our members, gave a really interesting presentation about how to create photobooks at our Exmouth & District U3A Connect on Thursday session on 24 September 2020. He has prepared a very useful handout about this, and you can read this or download it by clicking or tapping on this link or on the image below: About Photobooks.

In addition, you can take a look at one of his photobooks by clicking or tapping on this link: Favourite Photographic Images

Additional points from members of the group (thank you!)

Here are the points which some of you have kindly passed onto me:

Apple products

• Virus/malware products on Apple Mac are increasingly now being recommended.

• If you have an iPad, advise an iPhone for compatibility but an annoying feature is you have to charge iPhone every 24 hours.

• If anything is 5 years old you cannot get the updated apps for banking etc. 

• Printing can be a problem - although printers are compatible with the Apple system, cannot print or only one page of several pages even though all appear on the screen. 

• One advantage of Apple is that you can book appointments & lessons at your nearest store. 

General issues

• An explanation of difference between virus protection  and malware protection and pros & cons of using a firewall may be useful.

• How to store and manage files.

• How to bookmark so you can return to a page without having thousands of windows open and slowing down everything.

• Importance of clearing the cache/download files and doing some simple maintenance every now and again to prevent the inevitable ‘go slow’.