Have you always wanted to create your own family newsletter? Not sure how to begin or which computer program you need? Modern families often live distances from one another and need ways to keep in touch. When our time is limited we use email. But nothing can replace the thrill of reading – and keeping – a newsletter. Whether it’s delivered by the post office or sent by email and printed off, a family newsletter provides a legacy that can be passed down through the generations.

I know how helpful this form of communication can be, especially when you have family members you don’t see often enough. So I’ve created a guide to help you in the process. Called “How To Create Newsletters Your Grandkids Will Treasure“, it’s 54 pages of text and screenshots to show you step by step how to use Microsoft Word, Works, or Open Office, to write your newsletter. Included are worksheets with ideas for communication starters with the grandkids. After all, you want them to feel involved with the process. I’ve also recorded myself reading the whole guide, so you can listen and read at the same time.

I would love to hear how you use this resource to keep in touch with your family. Even if you aren’t a grandparent, the information will take you through the process of planning and writing a newsletter. I hope you enjoy it and look forward to your feedback.

Technorati Tags: creating newsletters, family communication, writing to grandkids

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I’ve just come across an email system that sounds terrific for those older members of the family that want to keep in touch by email, but are intimidated by all the options available. I remember when I was hesitant to hit the wrong button in case I lost all of my writing, or even worse, my pictures.

Anyway, this program is called pawpaw mail, named after the first elderly gentlemen who used it. I haven’t had a reason to use it yet myself, but the interface seems very easy to use and the price sounds more than reasonable, especially if it allows everyone in the family to keep in touch, no matter what their age or technical ability. I’m thinking about getting it for my grandson once he starts school so that he can practice his reading and writing.

Please let me know if you try the program and what you think of it.

Technorati Tags: email, keeping in touch with older people, paw paw mail

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This week I visited the local computer repair store with my laptop. While there, I fell in love with the Asus Eee Top touchscreen computer.  A one piece system, the entire computer is attached to the back of the flat screen monitor. It was just the neatest thing!

Large icons, easy enough for even my old eyes to see easily. Use of an onscreen keyboard if you like and the ability to touch what you want right on the screen. There’s a keyboard that can be stored behind the monitor if you find you don’t use it much and there’s little need for a mouse. A great feature because older people (and kids) have more trouble controlling the mouse than anything else when starting to use computers.

The computer monitor is an attractive LCD screen attached to a clear plastic stand. I would love to have one of these in my kitchen. It looks so sleek and modern. There’s also a handle on the back if you feel like moving it to another room (although it’s a bit heavy).

With a built-in webcam and wireless capability, the Eee Top is a great home computer for a person of any age. And it comes with Windows XP (Hooray). The price here in Canada is about $750, which is reasonable for a computer and monitor combination. I’m saving my pennies.

Technorati Tags: Asus Eee Top, touchscreen computer

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At the beginning of the year, I received a Flip video camera for my birthday. I’ve been meaning to write about it, so today I went on youtube and found a video about my Flip.

Mine looks just like the one in the video, except that I have one hour recording time. It also comes with connections for your tv so you can watch the videos there instead of just on your computer. The quality, both of video and sound, is excellent. And you don’t have the problem of the sound not being in sync with the picture, so it looks fairly professional.

I love my Flip and use it all of the time. One of my daughters just bought one on sale at Walmart in the States for just over $100, so the price is great. Here in Canada, at least where I live, the Flip is only sold at Walmart and Future Shop. Online there are a lot more choices.

Here’s the video and like I said, I can’t recommend it enough.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqacq3L5xWs

Technorati Tags: Flip video camera, Flip review

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If you enjoy computer crafting, the people at Crafty PC have a book called “Creative Computer Crafts” that has a number of interesting crafts you can try. The book is going out of print, so it’s available right now at a very good price. If you are outside of the U.S., beware of shipping charges though. It would have cost me four times the price of the book to have it shipped. So I’ll have to get it sent to my daughter’s place in the states.

It doesn’t benefit me in any way if you purchase the book, but I do have a special reason for recommending it. You see, the Creative Home Computing site is listed as one of the useful resources. This post is my way of saying thank you.

Technorati Tags: Creative Computer Crafts, Crafty PC, computer crafting

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