Digital Inclusion Wales

Get Online @ Home (www.getonlineathome.org) is a major initiative led by Microsoft to provide affordable reconditioned PCs and laptops to the digitally excluded.  The scheme offers quality PCs and laptops reconditioned to a high standard by accredited Microsoft refurbishers.

Get Online @ Home has teamed up with TalkTalk and Simplifydigital to offer its best value PC, broadband and phone bundle ever. For a limited time only, anyone can buy a reconditioned Windows 7 PC with 12 months fast, reliable broadband for just £99 (only £49 to those on benefits) or a reconditioned Window 7 laptop with 12 months fast, reliable broadband for £149 (only £119 to those on benefits), when taken with TalkTalk Essentials Broadband and Phone at an exclusive price of just £5/month.

All computers are equipped with Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft software for documents, emails, messaging and pictures in addition to Microsoft’s free security software and accessibility software.

Read the full details of our offer to encourage more of the 8.2 million digitally excluded to get online and enjoy the many social, financial and educational benefits of being connected to the internet here: http://www.getonlineathome.org/special-offer.aspx

To order today, visit: http://www.getonlineathome.org/special-offer.aspx

Or call: 0800 090 1297

Giving the gift of internet this Christmas: A guide to why you should, and how you can.

                So many of us take the internet for granted; we do our shopping, we talk to friends, we find all the information we could ever need, and even book holidays. When people are asked what they would do without the internet, a survey discovered that around 75-percent of those surveyed simply could not live without the Internet. In fact, four out of five of those surveyed actually looked online for advice instead of talking to someone face to face about their problems.

                Its quite obvious by this point that people who are digitally excluded are missing out. But is it really important for those, who have lived all these years without internet, to change their ways? Here are some key facts you might like to know:

• Offline citizens are missing out on average savings of £560 per household, per year.

• Important government services will be moving to online-only facilities within the next few years.
  
  
• Access to essential information and advice for older people is easily available online.
  
  
• It has been proven that those with access to computers and the internet are less likely to experience feelings of isolation at older age.
  
  
• People can easily stay in touch with family and friends, and take up hobbies or increase an interest in one they already have.
• 
  Those who have access to computers & the internet earn, on average, 10% more than those who don't.
• 
  About 25% of all job vacancies are only advertised online.
  
  
• There are plenty of places to find like-minded people to chat with and make new friends.

Myth-busters and FAQ’s:

It’s too expensive.
Our reduced price computer scheme allows everyone to have access to computers and internet at an affordable price. Our packages come complete and ready to use, so you won’t have to buy any extras.

It’s too complicated.
We are dedicated to making home computing as simple as possible. We go back to basics and help people to get to grips with computing and the internet.

I don’t want to commit to an internet contract.
You don’t have to. We recommend a pay-as-you-go internet dongle. This way you can pay as much as you want, when you want. Allowing you to breathe before committing to a contract internet package.

What if I break it?
You won’t. Unless you take a hammer to it, it’s highly unlikely that you will do your computer any damage. If you get confused, we are here to help.

The internet opens up a world of opportunities.
Older people are among those who can benefit most from the increased social interaction and access to services that the internet provides. The key is making it as easy as possible to use the system. You will need to start with the right equipment. Although many people prefer laptops, for this situation a desktop computer may be a better choice so you can attach a large monitor, an imperative for anyone with visual impairment. Windows has built-in accessibility settings, making computers more easily used; however we also offer speciality equipment such as extra-large keyboards for elderly users and beginners alike. Whether you’re buying for yourself, or for someone else, we can equip you with all that you will need to start off. From set-up guides to a technical help line, we will be on hand every step of the way.

Please ask us for advice about getting someone online this Christmas.

See www.pcxuk.com for more details.
Or call us for a chat: 08456 44 68 66.

Halloween Blog!

In this October (and therefore Halloween!) edition of our blog, we are talking computer scares! Just as you could encounter criminals in life, you could also encounter them online.

Our advice is to use your everyday instincts, when using the internet.

For example, you wouldn't open your door and invite a stranger in, so don't open emails from people you don't know. Here are our top five tips (that you probably already use in daily life) for staying safe online:

1. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

2. Don't freely give out your personal information.

3. Don't open emails from strangers, especially if they have an attachment.

4. Anything that looks dodgy probably is.

5. It's always OK to ask for help.

Scam of the month:
Beware!  This scam of the month is extremely effective on those who are not so familiar with technical jargon, or those that are new to computing. You may receive a telephone call from someone, who claims that your computer has a virus. They will ask for your card details, in order to purchase software to 'get rid of the virus'.

Firstly, there is no way that anyone other than yourself, and people who have used your computer, will know if you have a virus. Secondly, legitimate I.T. companies will not contact you in this way, let alone to ask for personal details.

Our tip is: If you have a virus, it is very likely that you will know about it. Your computer may do strange things without your permission. If you suspect you have a virus, shut down your computer and ask someone for advice.

www.pcxuk.com

@pcxuk
jen@pcxuk.com

Making computers more accessible.

In order to get everyone Digitally Included, we need to make sure that computers are easily accessible, to everyone.
 Here are some tips we have put together to make a computer more accessible for older users, and beginners alike.

Windows 7 Accessibility Tips:

Those who have difficulty with their eyesight may benefit from the following tips:

Enlarge the cursor/mouse:
Right Click on the Desktop,
Click on “Personalize",
Click on “Change Mouse Pointers”,
Select your favoured mouse from the drop down list
 Click on "Apply", then on "OK".

Turn on the screen Magnifier:
Click on the “Start” button,
Type “Magnifier” into the Search Bar,
Click on “Magnifier”.

Start the Narrator:
Click on the “Start” Button,
Type “Narrator” into the search bar,
Click on “Narrator”.

Make text bigger:
Click on the "Start" button,
Type "Display" into the search bar,
Click on "Display",
Select either "Medium", or "Large",
Click on "Apply",
Click on "Log Off Now" to apply changes.

The following tips may be useful for people with reduced motor function:

How to find the On-Screen Keyboard:
Click on the “Start” button,
Type “On Screen Keyboard” into the Search bar,
Click on “Turn On-Screen Keyboard on or off"
Click on "Start On-Screen Keyboard".

Turn on "Sticky Keys": Instead of having to press three keys at once (E.g: CTRL, ALT, and DELETE), you can press one key at a time when Sticky Keys is turned on.
Click on the "Start" button,
Type "Ease of Access" into the search bar,
Click on "Ease of Access Centre",
Click on " Make the keyboard easier to use",
Click on "Turn on Sticky Keys",
Click "Apply", then Click "OK".

How to find other accessibility tools, or settings to make using your computer easier:
Click on the “Start” button,
Type “Ease of Access” into the Search bar,
Click on “Ease of Access Centre",
Here you will find all the settings you need so that you can see, hear and use your computer with ease.

These tips will work with laptops and Desktop computers running Windows 7.
See http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/accessibility for help with other versions of Windows, and its accessibility features.

We also recommend the following websites for further accessibility information, which includes some free software: 
http://www.nvda-project.org/
http://www.sensorysoftware.com/dwellclicker.html
http://www.sensorysoftware.com/bigcalculator.html

Please feel free to pass this information on to family and friends!
Kind Regards
Jennifer
www.pcxuk.com

We rely on generous donations of IT equipment in order to provide reliable refurbished computers at an affordable price, as part of our Digital Inclusions projects.

You are probably aware, there are serious implications to data leakage, and if your data gets into the wrong hands you could be liable for; Identity theft, Revealing sensitive information about your company and partners, Exposing customer's personal data, Violating data security regulations, and more!

Don't let your data become a liability. 

If you are going to donate or recycle your IT equipment, you need to be fully informed.

In the same vein as my last post, please see below, our guide to safely donating Computers for refurbishment.

Here are some questions that you may want to ask a Refurbisher before donating used computers:

•     What tools will you use to erase the hard drives? How much experience have you had in data erasure?Can you provide us with certificates to prove our data has been safely and securely destroyed?

•     Do you do your own refurbishing, or do you contract out the work?

•     To whom do you supply or sell refurbished PCs? What cause am I donating too?

•     How do you track the refurbished PCs you supply?

•     How do you dispose of unusable parts? Do you offer a recycling audit?

•     Do you sell or give away your PCs? If you sell them, what do you charge?

•     Is there a minimum spec requirement? 

•     Do you have the appropriate recyclers & waste carriers licenses?

•     Are you registered with the Environmental Agency?

•     Are you a member of the Microsoft® Refurbisher program?

I hope that you will find this guide useful. If you should need any further help on this topic, computer recycling, or how to donate your old IT equipment, I would be delighted to hear from you.

Feel free to share this guide.

Jennifer

www.partnersit.co.uk
donations@partnersit.co.uk
08456446644

Our experiences during the "Get Online @ Home" project have given us a valuable insight into the reasoning behind people not wanting to get online. Putting aside financial difficulties, computers are confusing machines.
If you haven't grown up with computers, you might not even be familiar with the word "PC", let alone RAM and GHz nonsense. It has been a great experience for us, having to have to take a step back, and help people understand computers from the very first step- And how they can benefit personally and professionally from owning one.

Although we do all we can, only so much can be explained over the phone, this is why we are providing this Computer Buying Guide, which we hope you will pass onto your customers, friends, family, and anyone else considering buying a refurbished computer. 

Below are some key questions to ask to make sure you are getting a reliable machine with legitimate software: 

•     What are the full specifications and capabilities of this computer?
  Is it a name brand?  

•     Where did the PC come from? Has it been upgraded with any new
or used parts? Has it been tested for electrical safety?

•     Does the PC have a warranty and, if so, what does the warranty cover?

•     What is your return policy?

•     Does the PC include genuine operating system and software?

•     Where can I get support?

•     Do you offer end-of-life take back and, if so, is there a charge?

•     Do you offer workstations networked to a server?

•     How fast is your customer response time?

•     Are you a member of the Microsoft® Refurbisher program?

I hope that you will find this guide useful. If you should need any further help on this topic, or would like to source refurbished computers, I will be delighted to hear from you.

Jennifer

Jen@pcxuk.com
www.pcxuk.com