Home Technology Forum
After meeting successfully for over 20 years as the Computer Workshop we have changed our group name to the Home Technology Forum and broadened our scope to include learning more about the other technology that many of us are increasingly using in our home and personal lives.
We still consider all computer issues each month and aim to include every operating system – Microsoft Windows 10, Apple macOS, Google Chromebooks – and every type of computer – desktops, all-in-ones, laptops; plus other devices such as Google Android & Apple iOS tablets/iPads and smartphones/iPhones. We discuss issues with both their hardware and software, including the best device to buy to meet your computing needs, how to set it up, handle updates, use it safely and securely, avoid viruses, other malware and online scams, and keep back-ups etc. Our focus is to help everyone do more things and get more enjoyment from whatever device they use – including word processing, spreadsheets, using the internet, online banking and shopping, booking holidays, storing data in the ‘cloud’, communicating via e-mail and making free voice and video-calls via the web. We do not provide ‘hands-on’ repair services to fix members’ own computers or set them up in the first place. Rather the emphasis is on learning through discussion, sharing ideas and experiences, and sometimes by presentations and demonstrations – thereby increasing members’ confidence to go home, continue their learning and get more use and pleasure from whatever technology they are using.
And now that will include not just computers but other technical devices like voice-activated smart speakers (eg. Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Hub, Microsoft Cortana), smart TVs and streaming devices, smart heating systems, security cameras linked to the internet, car satnavs, keyless cars etc. We discuss not just how we ourselves use these devices but how technology is used nowadays in wider society – such as by supermarkets to track our purchases, by the police to catch criminals and by government to deliver services online via apps etc.
The Home Technology Forum meets in Bulphan Village Hall on the second Wednesday every month; and during the coronavirus pandemic set up Zoom meetings to re-launch in April 2021.