Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

MONDAY

Apple Mac SIG meetings

Apple Mac SIG meetings
When: Third Monday or each month
Where: Anvil House, Level 1,  Room 2
​Facilitator: Bruce Ralph.
​Register:  Pre-registration is not required.  
Cost: This meeting is free for SeniorNet members

Are you new to Mac? Thinking of purchasing an Apple Mac?  Come along to observe or ask questions. This user group is suitable for all experience levels including those who are new to Apple Mac computers.

Each month we will be looking at a special topic, followed by a Q&A session where you can share your knowledge and experiences with or learn from other Apple Mac Computer users.

Topics covered during a recent meeting included

  •  Started the session with a quick look at the guy who designed and built the first computers (1942) Alan Turing. Recently Alan has been recognised as building the first AI (artificial intelligence) machine: Then 1984 Apple directed by Steve Jobs released the Apple Mac the first computer with GUI (Graphic User interface)
  • Demonstrated a Scam email reportedly from IRD – and discussed what to look for in a scam email
  • An example of using Quicklook to see contents of a link without opening the Application (which in this case is Safari)
  • Where is the Mac Clipboard located, to view clipboard contents
  • Another Safari vs Chrome Web Browser article – 9 reasons why you should not use Chrome on a MacBook (OS Monterey)
  • Check the number of times the battery have been fully charged on your MacBook
  • How to Always have the Scroll Bar visible 
  • iCloud Storage – are you getting the ‘Out of Storage space’ message from Apple,
  • Then pausing . . . for a tea/coffee/biscuit break with a ‘free flowing’ conversation.
  • How does Text Messengers work

TUESDAY

Android Users Group meetings

Android Smartphones & Tablets SIG Group
When:  Forth Tuesday of each month, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Anvil House, Level 1, Room 2
​Facilitator:  Graeme Munro
​Register:  Pre-registration is not required.  
Cost:  This meeting is free for SeniorNet members

If you want to get the most out of your Android device, come to this user group. These sessions are specifically designed to help the beginner and new members are particularly welcome. Come along and ask your questions or maybe provide the answer to someone else’s question. One-on-one help may be available if time allows.

Topics covered during a recent meeting included:

Subjects discussed:

  • 7 Reasons Why You Should Pick Android Over iPhone
  • Google news shortcuts
  • Google search shortcuts
  • Android Photo gallery Editor
  • Add JPG image to your text message using  Gboard keyboard
  • Do you need a new Smart TV?
  • Learn something new each day
  • Not getting the message?

Questions:

  • Do you need fibre broadband
  • Can you choose your own fibre provider
  • Using your phone as a mobile hotspot
  • Data usage-Retirement Commission paper
  • Rotate screen in Samsung tablet
  • Are cookies safe?
  • What is the best approach to using a mobile phone overseas?
  • Google Lens app demonstration
  • GCF Learn free tutorials
  • Download Chrome browser to phone
  • NZ Herald phone app issues-need subscription
  • NZ Herald available on Press Reader ex library card
  • Check Skinny Jump site to see if available for your location
  • Link phone to PC-issues
  • Incognito tab in Chrome browser

WEDNESDAY

Questions and Answers Group – with Ray meetings

(Question & Answers SIG Group – with Ray
When:  Second Wednesday of each month, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where:  Anvil House, Level 1, Room 2
Facilitator:  Ray Heenan
​Register:  Pre-registration is not required.  
Cost:  This meeting is free for SeniorNet members

This group is for computer users at all levels of experience. Come along and contribute, enjoy yourself and learn something new.

The format is primarily a question and answer session, where we can all help each other to solve problems, simple or complex. New members will find this very helpful, as we also show you how to go about solving issues that we may not be able to fix at the session. Scroll down to the Computer Owners Group section on Newsletters to see Magazine Reviews prepared by COG attendees

Topics covered during a recent meeting included:

  • Gmail preview pane removal
  • File history
  • Windows commands
  • Gmail tutorials
  • Coffee facemask
  • Youtube shortcuts
  • YouTube transcript
  • Gmail search function
  • Email providers
  • TableOf Contents to navigate
  • Google Bard AI
  •    Use
  •    Talk to
  •    Listen
  • Ctrl S command
  • Dictate extension in Gmail
  • Print Gmail message content
  • Make Use Of Site
  • e.g. Keyboard short cuts, plus
  • Chat GPT booklet
  • Rotate phone to read book
  • Create app off file on the phone
  • Google Ad block
  • What is a URL

THURSDAY

Photography Group meetings

Photography SIG Group
When:  Second Thursday of each month, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where:  Anvil House, Level, 1 Room 2
Facilitator:  Ray Heenan
​Register:  Pre-registration is not required.  
Cost:  This meeting is free for SeniorNet members

This group is all about learning and sharing information relevant to the digital camera world, including all smartphones with cameras.  Each month there is a special topic of interest to members. If you have a camera operational problem do bring it as we will have time for questions and answers. And, as always, if  you have captured something you are really proud of bring it along to share with the group.

NOTE: The change of rooms for this session.

Thursday September 14 will meet, 10 am, in Room 11, at the end of the corridor, so that a larger group may use Room 2.

As there are computers in Room 11, we may have a closer look at, and you may play with Faststone!  e.g. Lighten up, crop, straighten, organise a slide show and so on! Bring along your pics on USB or SD for a play, and show, on the larger TV screen.

THURSDAY

Questions and Answers Group – with Alan meetings

Questions and Answers (Q&A) SIG Group with Alan
When: Forth Thursday of each month, starting time is 12:30 – 2:30
Where:  Anvil House, Level 1, Room 2
Facilitator:  Alan Royal
​Register:  Pre-registration is not required.  
Cost:  This meeting is free for SeniorNet members

The group welcomes new and experienced computer users. Come along and contribute, enjoy yourself and learn something new.

The format will be a quick run down on present and future technology developments of interest to Senior​Net members followed by a question and answer session, where we can all help each other to solve​ problems, simple or complex. New members will find this very helpful, as we ​also show you how to go about solving issues that we may not be able to fix​ ​at the session.

Topics covered during the April meeting included:

Prepared comment;

  • How Google Lens Can Make Your Life Easier
  • How to turn on Autocorrect and Text Prediction inWindows
  • Gmail advanced text formatting in Android
  • Do you need a new Smart TV?
  • A Guide to Stretching
  • Community Food Coops Wellington
  • Nymbl – a free, fun and easy-to-use app that is fully funded by ACC
  • 9 Photography Rules and Formulas to Follow for Professional Photos
  • Banana Peel Cuisine Is The Latest Plant Based Trend

Questions raised for answers;

  • Make your own yoghurt at about $1.30/kg.
  • Black banana skin smoothies!
  • ChatGPT and grammar.
  • The origin of the Oxford comma.
  • Block sender in Gmail.
  • NZ Herald app.
  • Press Reader for saving on subscriptions.
  • Use ublock origin extension as Gmail ad block.
  • Using Gmail filters.
  • Check whether your email has been pawned.
  • Headline checker.
  • Blue Book of Grammar and their free newsletter.
  • Check spam by copying the ‘click’ link and looking at it.
  • Remove Dominion Post saved pages in a tablet.
  • Discuss the comment that 40% of seniors live on pension alone.
  • MailTrack to see if your email has been opened.

FRIDAY

Apple IOS Users Group meetings

Apple IOS Users Group
When: Friday 1st December, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where:  Anvil House, Level 1,  Room 2
​Facilitator: Allan Chee
​Register:  Pre-registration is not required.  
Cost: This meeting is free for SeniorNet members

IOS is the operating system on Apple mobile devices, iPhones and iPads

Are you having problems with your iPhone, iPad or iPod device or just interested in learning more about it? If so, you are welcome to come along & ask questions. Don’t be shy.

These sessions are specifically designed to help the beginner. Come and ask your questions so that we can help you get the most out of your Apple phone or tablet. Even if you don’t have any questions yourself, still please come along as you may have the answer to someone else’s question.

At a previous session Allan discussed sharing to all Devices. This session will focus on to a general conversation with attendees about their own issues (if any) using their iPhones, iPads, or iPod Touch devices. Helpers will contribute a couple of new features as well.