Listen Up Senior Surfers

Here's some welcome news for those of you who enjoy reading The Senior Surfer but wouldn't mind giving your eyes a rest from time to time. Starting today, you can listen to these posts instead of reading them, if you choose!

To listen to The Senior Surfer, you can subscribe to the podcast (top left-hand sidebar) or simply click on the listen now button that appears at the beginning of every post on the site. Try it now!

You Can Go A Long Way Without Using Your Mouse

Click. Click. Double-click. Mouse over to the scroll bar, click and scroll down--whew! All that clicking and scrolling can be a pain in the, well--hand. Previously on The Senior Surfer we discussed some keyboard shortcuts that can give you a break. Here's another helpful one we forgot to mention--till now!

Did you know that no matter where you are on a Web page you can move right to the top of the page instantly by using the Home key on your keyboard? And if you want to immediately skip to the bottom of a page just use the End key. You'll find both of these on the right side of your keyboard. Try them out next time you get the chance--your hand will thank you.

Got a keyboard tip you want to share with our readers? Leave it in the comments section!

How To Get The Most Out Of Microsoft's ClearType Technology

Have you heard about Microsoft's ClearType technology? ClearType is a Microsoft innovation in font display that's designed to make text on a computer screen easier to read-especially on LCD displays.

If your operating system is Windows Vista, ClearType is on by default, so you're already taking advantage of it without doing anything. On the other hand, if your computer is running the older XP operating system, you'll have to turn this feature on, and you can do that by going to Microsoft's Online ClearType Tuner and following their instructions.

You can also use the Online ClearType Tuner to fine tune the program's settings-and both XP and Vista users can use it for that function! Again, just click on the link above and follow the steps presented on the site.

To learn more about this font display innovation visit Microsoft's ClearType Information Page.

How To Change The Number Of Search Results Google Displays On A Single Page

When you do a Google Search, do you ever find yourself wishing that Google would display more search results on a single page instead of the 10 it displays by default? Did you know there's an easy way to change this?

Simply follow these steps:

1. From the Google Homepage, click on Preferences (Read the related post 4 Google Secrets Hidden In Plain View.)
2. On the resulting page scroll down till you see Number of Results.
3. From the drop down menu you can set the number of results to be displayed at either 10, 20, 30, 50 or 100.

If you set the number to 100 for example, then instead of 10 pages of results to sift through, you'll only have one. Less mouse clicking to get through all the results will mean your hand gets a rest too!

A Simple Mouse Trick They Never Told You About

Sometimes the answer to a problem is right under your nose or in the case of today's tip, right on top of your mouse. We're talking about the scroll wheel, a useful tool that's all too easy to overlook. In a previous post you learned how it can be used to magnify a Web page, but did you know it can be used to scroll up or down the page too?

Try this now: Take your index finger and slowly roll the scroll wheel backwards and forwards. See how easy this simple trick is? It's yet another way to move up and down a Web page without having to rely on that narrow scroll bar on the right of the screen!

Have You Considered Talking To Your Computer, Lately?

Used to be, not so long ago, talking to your computer and actually getting it to do something you asked was the stuff of science fiction-no longer! Today, thanks to what is known as speech recognition software you can actually command your computer with your voice! And, depending on the version of your computer's operating system you might already have the software included!

If you bought a PC recently that comes with Windows Vista, for example, then you also have speech recognition software. To learn more about how to get the most out of this program, you'll want to visit Windows Speech Recognition In Windows Vista, on Microsoft's Web site. There you'll be able to read about the key features of the program, watch a demo to see how it works and learn how to use Vista's speech recognition tutorials that will teach you everything you need to know.

And for those of you who either don't have the software already, or simply want to try a different product there are plenty of stand-alone speech recognition programs available for purchase, like Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9, for instance.

Of course speech recognition software does have its limitations, and it's not 100% accurate. But, if you're a senior looking to rest your hands and fingers from time to time, you might find it useful.

Speak up! With speech recognition software, your computer is listening!

How To Get Your Computer To Read To You

Want to give your eyes a rest while surfing the Web? If you're lucky enough to have grandkids that are willing to read the text of Web pages aloud to you then you're all set-if not, why not get your computer to do the task? How? By using what's known as text-to-speech software. And you don't have to look far to get it-in fact, you can download a no frills version of this type of software right on the Web for free!

The following sites offer a free basic download of this type of software:

• NaturalReaders.com


• ReadPlease.com
  

It's important to note that the free versions of this type of software typically don't provide the selection of voices or the full range of functions offered with the premium versions, but they're at least a great place to test the waters and see if text-to-speech software is right for you.

How To Move Up Or Down A Web Page Without Using A Mouse

How do you typically move up or down the web page you're on? Do you find yourself always mousing over to the scroll bar that's located on the right of the screen? If you're tired of using the combination of mouse and scroll bar to perform this function, you might want to try this instead:

Move up or down the web page by using certain keys on your keyboard!

Here's how:

• Use the upward pointing or downward pointing directional arrow key when you want to move in small increments up or down the page, respectively. Great for when you want to read every word!
• Use the Page Up or Page Down key when you want to move more quickly up or down, respectively.
• Use the space bar any time you want to move quickly down the page. It works just like the Page Down key.

When you want to give your mouse a rest, try these handy tips!

A Quick Way To Magnify A Web Page

Are you like many seniors who complain that the text size is too small at many of the web pages you visit? If this is one of your pet peeves, you'll be happy to know that there's a quick and simple trick you can do with your keyboard and mouse that will allow you to magnify practically any web page you're on and make it easier to read.

Here's how:

1. Using your left hand, press the Ctrl key on your keyboard.
2. While keeping the Ctrl key depressed, roll the mouse wheel (located on top of mouse) forward with your right index finger.

It's as simple as that! This trick creates the effect that you're "zooming in" to the web page you're on, making the text appear larger. To "zoom out" simply keep the Ctrl key depressed while rolling the mouse wheel backwards.

Give it a try right now while reading The Senior Surfer!

Where To Find Senior-Friendly Computer Accessories

Do you ever ask, Why can't someone make it easier for a senior like me to use the computer? Why can't I have a keyboard with larger letters that are easier to see or a mouse that's less stressful on my hand? If you're like many seniors, you probably wish they would start listening to the computer needs of senior citizens for a change.

Well, the good news is that someone has begun to listen!

SmartSolutionPartners(SSPDirect.com), for example-started in 2003 by a mother and daughter, Myrna and Risa Arin-sprang up for just that purpose. They offer a line of products designed to meet the special computer needs of older individuals like you.

Here's a sample of some of the products you can purchase from their online store:

• Large Letter Keyboards
• Text Magnification Software
• Ergonomically designed Mice and Trackballs
• Anti Glare Computer Glasses

Next time you're wondering if anyone has a product that could make your computer life easier, give them a look-you might be pleasantly surprised by what you find!