Newsletter March 2022

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From Sue

Hello everyone, 

Well your team at SeniorNet Kapiti have been busy getting the new AIO (all in one) PCs, setup and fixed to desks at the Learning Centre. Just a few minor changes were required to some of the desks to help with the overall experience at your next class!

Here’s a photograph of one of the new PCs which are Dell
All-in-One’s. Come along and see for yourself at SeniorNet Kapiti, Learning Centre.

SeniorNet Kapiti now have 7 PCs to ‘dispose of’ so are offering these to members or friends of members who may want to have one at their home -see more below.

I’m sure like me, many you are making the most of this glorious weather we’re having! It has also been great to see so many members taking advantage of the low cost of courses and workshops on offer, and joining us at the Learning Centre.

Our Term 2 timetables have been published, so start to plan your next course or workshop, to ensure you don’t miss out on your next opportunity to do something different. I know that many of you have found that attending the Learning Centre is meeting your needs for safety protocols (per Govt guidelines), and for your learning experience.

SeniorNet Kapiti sent out a survey to members in early March. We had a number of helpful responses’ to the survey but are keen to include these survey’s as a way to assess what courses or workshops you would like to see in the future. So keep an eye out for the next one!

It’s so easy to think of technology as giving us learning opportunities. But have you thought about how easy it is “to chat and get in touch with friends and family”, if you’re not sure how to do this – SeniorNet can show you how.

Remember SeniorHangouts is always available if you are unable to get out and about for any reason. There are new sessions available on a regular basis (more below). With SeniorHangouts you can also access older sessions that are available click here

And last but not least, I would like to thank the Tutors who helped to get the Learning Centre ready for Term 1 to commence. We will keep you informed of any changes that may arise as the year progresses.

Sue Connor
Chair, SeniorNet Kapiti Inc.

PCs For Free – Specification:

The seven PC’s we have for sale are all around 10 years old and are a desktop unit that includes:

A flat panel monitor, USB keyboard & USB mouse. A PC box with the following features: Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3CPU 3.30 GHz. Installed RAM 8.00 GB. System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor. Operating system  Windows 10, reset to be configured by the new owner. No sound card and No WEB cam.

Please use the following email to you put your name down for a PC, contact SNKtechnical@gmail.com

Support From Pelorus Trust and The Pub Charity

You guessed it! We have used the grant’s from Pelorus Trust and The Pub Charity, to purchase the new PCs. The new AIOs in the Learning Centre allow SeniorNet Kapiti to support both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Upcoming Courses & Workshops

Timetable term 1

Workshop List,

Thurs 24 March @ 9.30am How do I..?
Thurs 7 April @ 9.30am Windows User Group
Mon 11 April @ 1.30pm iPhone & iPads
Tues 12 April @ 1.30pm How do I..?

Courses;

Tablets and Phones – Android
Thurs 24 March through to Thurs 14 April @ 1.30pm

Timetable Term 2

Click here to view Term 2 course and workshop timetables.

Changes Due to Covid-19 – we are Open

We started Term 1, 2022 on 8 February, and are enjoying your company.

We are at RED in the Traffic Light system, announced by the Government, so we can all expect things to be a little different at the Learning Centre. We can expect most or all of the following changes (depending on the colour of the light!);

  • Our landlord (KCDC) has agreed in writing, for SeniorNet Kapiti to open the Learning Centre. This will be under the new Traffic Light System, (per Govt guidelines related to the Traffic Light level at the time).
  • Tutors will be required to be fully vaccinated in order to run face to face classes
  • Only fully vaccinated members will be able to enter the Learning Centre to attend face-to-face classes or other functions – Vaccine passes (now they are available) will be used for validation with the NZ Verifier app.
  • For privacy reasons, no vaccination information will be retained by SeniorNet Kapiti – validation is all that will be required
  • SeniorNet will assist all our members to get the vaccination certificate App working on their smartphones or to print a paper certificate
  • Masks will have to be worn in the Learning Centre based on the Traffic Light level at the time – the Lead Tutor is not required to wear a mask when teaching (there will be a 1mtr distance from participants).
  • Tutors will be discouraged from handling members devices (laptops, smartphones etc)

SeniorHangouts is Running – every day

SeniorHangouts, the online learning platform run by SeniorNet, is still operating (with fancy new branding too!)

All current members of SeniorNet Learning Centres in New Zealand are welcome to participate (free).

If you are interested in what’s coming up next week (and every week), we’ve found this excellent site (thanks to SeniorNet Manawatu) which is updated Sunday evening once the weekly timetable is published. It also includes direct links to the upcoming sessions – just click and go!

To watch old sessions, go to the SeniorHangouts website, where you can watch previously held sessions in the extensive library on a wide variety of topics that may interest you.

SeniorHangouts is a daily opportunity for members and anyone else you would like to invite, to meet, talk technology and socialise with other seniors. There is no cost to you; its a membership service and for anyone who feels isolated or just wants to join for a chat – it’s a lifeline!

From the Team at SeniorNet Kapiti

Happy Learning!

Please Support our Sponsors

Please don’t forget to support our National sponsors – they’re important to SeniorNet and help us at the local level in many ways, including offering discounts to our members.

Always show your membership card and ask if there’s a discount for SeniorNet members – you might be rather surprised!

The best example is Noel Leeming where the SeniorNet discount extends well beyond computers to everything in their store but please be insistent that they scan your barcode before they give you a price!

Suzuki has recently reconfirmed their offer to our members of free on-road costs on new vehicles so it always pays to ask.

There are more details about the individual sponsorships on the Federation’s website here