TECH KNOW TIDBITS

from Senior Life, September 2022

by Viera Voice • Senior Life • Boomer Guide

NEIGHBORS

Libraries offer basic computer instruction

BY FLORA REIGADA

A local widow’s grief was complicated by not knowing how to pay bills online as her husband always had. The woman’s children tried to help her, but that didn’t work out. Ultimately, she heard about Reference Librarian Beth Doud at the Mims/ Scottsmoor Public Library, who offers individualized instruction in computer basics. Doud provided the needed help.

There is no cost for the hour-long sessions; however interested persons must call to register.

“Topics are based on the student’s interest and an entire class can be devoted to learning to use the mouse. Other classes may focus on learning to use the keyboard, how to copy and paste, Microsoft Word, email and the internet, needs vary,” Doud said.

She recalled a man whose company became more computer oriented and he came to keep up with technology. “Everything worked out well,” Doud said.

Another woman wanted to selfpublish her memoir and needed instruction in using Microsoft Word and formatting a book.

Today, that finished product, “Falling in Love in the Land of Aphrodite: Memoir of a Defiant Daughter,” by Behjat Henderson is available at the library and on Amazon.

The author mentioned Doud in the book’s acknowledgements.

Instruction is also available at the Titusville Public Library. Free sessions are held monthly in the computer lab. Seating is limited to the first 16 arrivals.

Those without computer or internet access can find it at both locations. Two hours of computer time is free for library card holders. Visitors without cards may purchase a one-time guest pass for $1.

Computer classes at the North Brevard Senior Center are on hold because the instructor moved to another state.

“People keep calling, asking for laptop and cell phone instruction,” said

SENIOR LIFE Dan Reigada

Beth Doud, a reference librarian, offers computer instruction at the Mims/ Scottsmoor Public Library. Operations Manager Dan Williams. “We need someone with technical skills to provide this.”

The North Brevard Senior Center is at 909 Lane Ave. in Titusville. Call 321-268-2333 or visit nbsc.website.

The Mims/Scottsmoor Library is at 3615 Lionel Road in Mims.

Call 321-264-5080 or visit brevardfl. gov/PublicLibraries. The Titusville Public Library is at 2121 S. Hopkins Ave. Call 321-2645026 or visit brevardfl.goTitusville. SL

The Free Boomer

Guide features resources such as computer classes and heritage clubs.

Ring lights add effect, good lighting to photos inexpensively

SENIOR LIFE Shutterstock

Ring lights give your photos better illumination.

BY R. NORMAN MOODY

Light is a key to good photography. The LED or fluorescent ring lights are great for portrait photographs, selfies and videoconferencing.

A ring light is really a multi-purpose tool that comes in many assorted sizes — from about 4 inches up to 22 inches. The small ones can be clipped onto a cellphone for doing selfies or portraits.

Others will offer users much better lighting than a regular lightbulb for video conferences or even for video chats with family members.

Most of the lights can be used on a tripod to position it to give special lighting effects. Some can be attached to a tripod with the camera or cell phone mounted in the center of the ring.

A ring light may have several settings that give off different light temperatures — that can be switched between full light, white light and warm light. Some models come with diffusers in two or three colors — red, green and blue.

The circular light is usually fluorescent or a ring of small, interconnected LED lights.Either one creates great lighting for photo shoots and helps to minimize unwanted shadows. It usually gives off a soft illumination for portraits and for closeup shots. The ring light can be used indoors or outdoors.

Smaller ring lights are charged with a USB connection. Others are plugged into a wall outlet and have dials to increase and decrease the intensity. The small ones are quite simple to operate.

There are professional grade ring lights that provide more features and options than the smaller, less expensive ones.

A small ring light can be purchased for about $10, while a 10-inch light might cost about $25 or less. Larger ones can cost up to $100 or more.

So, if you are looking for an inexpensive light to add effects to your photography or just wanting to make your video conferences a little more interesting, try a small ring light with your cell phone.

Once you have tried it out, you might want to go to a larger more versatile one. SL