Great 'how to help people who aren't online?' Hunt

Jacks_xxx

vivatifosi wrote: »

I've been thinking a bit more about this issue overnight. As I see it there are two main constraints to people getting on line. The first is a skills one, as discussed at length above there are numerous organisations working to help such people, with libraries at the forefront.

The second issue is a cost one. It is worth mentioning at this point the large number of free public wifi points that is increasing. In my library we have free wifi and there are numerous other free wifi spots in town for those wishing to use them, as well as some for which there is a charge. Our library wifi has no time constraints, people can sit and use them for as long as their laptop battery hangs on. People are increasingly using them to enable data on their mobile phones: I know a few savvy types who don't even have a data contract, they just enable free wifi hotspots and go there to access the net. With increasing convergence and mobile net access, this will surely become even more commonplace. Smart phones will soon be the norm, so people won't even need to buy a laptop.

I agree that a mobile phone is somewhat less expensive than a lap top but most people on a low income don't have one.

Jacks_xxx

sidewayssyd wrote: »

2 weeks ago, my 93yr old neighbour remarked that she rented her two TVs. We checked her bank statement and I was horrified to see that she is paying £24 per month for two TVs. With her permission, I spoke to the rental company, Box Clever, for her and found she has rented from them since 1986 with the last upgrade in 2003. I was appalled to think how much money she has paid out for two TVs that are effectively worthless in money terms.
I am a keen user of Freecycle, the email based re-cycling system and with a week I had replaced her two TVs with identical items being given away by people who were upgrading theirs. We'll also be obtaining Freeview boxes for her so she'll be fixed up before the analogue switch-off.
I have read that thousands of perfectly good TVs are being taken to the tip when they could be given to those in need.
I would urge everyone to look at Freecycle (just Google it and you'll find your local service to subscribe to), especially anyone who's renting a TV

That's fantastic - and the best kind of help. The more we demonstrate the power of the knowledge that comes with internet access the more people will consider getting online themselves.

letsgetonline

Age Concern North Wales Central (based in Denbigh, North Wales) are running a project where a volunteer will call at a seniors home and give one to one help with using a computer, including getting online, emailing, using the web, connecting a digital camera to name a few. The service is open to seniors residing in the Denbigh, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and as far as Llanfairfechan! Just ring the office 01745 816947 to register your interest.

Volunteers also required!

JohnESmith

Hull and East Yorkshire Credit Union has launched a great new way for people who haven’t got computers to access its not-for-profit financial services such as safe savings, affordable credit and friendly banking.

Anyone who lives or works in its area who has Sky TV, Virgin, Broadband enabled Freeview, any web-enabled mobile phone or games console (such as Wii) can find out about credit union services, request application forms and even check their account balances and recent transactions using the Looking Local facility available through those media.

For example on a mobile phone you can enter lookinglocal.gov.uk and it will take you to Hull & East Yorkshire Credit Union’s site. Or on Sky, press the interactive button, choose DirectGov, press “Select” on the welcome page and then #1 – Local Services.

The new facility means that anyone in HEYCU’s area needn’t feel that user friendly financial services are out of their reach just because they haven’t a computer.

:money: