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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, A pr il 30 ,2 02 0 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 WHO WE ARE Publisher Kelly Montague Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Halton Media General Manager Jason Pehora CONTACT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at theifp.ca Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncanadianchampion.com or call 905-234-1019. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT THEIFP.CA "We just rolled up our sleeves and did it," said my mother-in-law. Words usu- ally reserved for tasks like cleaning the bathroom, she used for the top-of-the- line iPhones she and my fa- ther-in-law acquired for themselves last December. With that purchase they instantly transitioned from "landline" to "smart- phone" users, but what this means is different for everyone. For those who are keen on technology, the world is filled with exciting possi- bilities. For those who are less inclined, all these gad- gets can feel overwhelm- ing. Here are some things to think about when "roll- ing up" one's sleeves and engaging with technology: Focus on what you want to do: With so many choices, it's easy to get sidetracked. Focus on what you want to do, then explore technologies that help you do that. Leverage your friends and family: Out of neces- sity, many people's tech- nology proficiency has in- creased because of the CO- VID-19 pandemic. Talk to others about what has worked for them and to get ideas of what might work for you. Make the learning curve less steep by asking someone for help. One size does not fit all: Finding the right tech- nology is like buying a pair of shoes. There are differ- ent shoes for different tasks, foot sizes and tastes. Finding your best fit with technology may take pa- tience and trying a few op- tions. You can learn what you don't know: There are online tutorials about how to do almost anything. YouTube is a wealth of nar- rated step-by-step "how to" videos that you can pause and rewind as needed. Don't be afraid to play: It's harder to break technology than it used to be. Trial and error is one of the best ways to learn what something does. If you feel things are getting out of hand, take a break and start over. Remember, you don't need to know every- thing a device or program does to use it. Before COVID-19, my in- laws got iPhones for a sense of security and con- nectedness. The pandemic has incentivized them to try new things. They play a weekly bridge game on- line, order groceries to their doorstep, actively use the family's real-time text chat, have celebrated birthdays and even read grandkids bedtime stories via video calls. With so many technolo- gies to choose from, there is likely something that will work for you. Imagine what you would like to do and go for it! Dr. Jennifer Boger is an assistant professor in systems design engineering at the University of Water- loo. EMBRACING TECH HELPS KEEP SENIORS CONNECTED #KEEPSENIORSSAFE: TECH SKILLS CAN HELP KEEP FAMILIES CONNECTED AMID COVID-19, SAYS JENNIFER BOGER SAYING IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA YOU READ: THE MIRROR "The best money I've spent during this was when I put a few dollars in an enve- lope thanking the sister and brother who deliver our weekly Midland Mirror and wishing them a happy East- er. The best feeling so far was the sweetest thank-you note tucked into today's paper." JOHN GORDON, TWITTER YOU READ: SIMCOE COUNTY SEEKS GUIDANCE FROM PROV- INCE ON BUSINESS LOANS "We need to address the real problem for small business, commercial rent price gouging. Most of us are paying in excess of $30 a sq.ft. Rewarding this by having government pay a potion of our rent helps no one over the long term." MIKE FAWCETT, FACEBOOK "The more help offered to small and local business- es the better." DEBBIE WALSH, FACEBOOK YOU READ: SEVERN BRIDGE COTTAGE OWNERS DISPUTE FEE DURING PANDEMIC "This is really unfair to people that are coming back from their winter home or motorhome, only to find they can't get in! Where are they supposed to go? Can't stay with fami- ly. They own that cottage! Management should be de- ducting (crediting) each day they can't get in from the fees." RONA REMPEL, FACEBOOK "People who live six months south and six months here (snowbird) should definitely have ac- cess. That makes it their primary residence." SUSAN LEBER, FACEBOOK YOU READ: ORO-MEDONTE RU- RAL INTERNET USERS SHOCKED WITH MONTHLY BILL "It's been a long-time problem that is just not going anywhere anytime soon." TANYA KING, FACEBOOK "We have same issues and have no choice." KIMBERLEY NIGHTINGALE, FACEBOOK "Washago area too. They need to do something about it." SHIRLEY POWELL, FACEBOOK YOU READ: 'IT IS QUITE DE- PRESSING AND BLEAK': MID- LAND HAIR SALON OWNER STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC "Many small businesses are in the exact same boat. Hopefully there will be more legislation put through to help." JOANNIE PETROFF, FACEBOOK "Beg borrow or steal, whatever it takes. When this eases up, you will be the most sought after busi- ness in the country. Pretty much name your price." ALEX K WEBSTER, FACEBOOK YOU READ: A FUN TRAIL HUNT FOR KIDS HAS BEEN DISMANTLED IN BARRIE "That is terrible that someone would complain. We are seniors and enjoyed the walk because of the signs." MARILYN GREGORY, FACEBOOK JENNIFER BOGER Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA