Charlestown	UPDATED: Thursday, October 30, 2008
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The ‘Net’ effect

Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2008

By Danielle Rexrode
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

When Laura Philbrick moved to Charlestown 16 years ago, she had no idea that the second bedroom in her apartment home would one day become a computer room. But years later when a friend bought a new computer and offered her his old one, she decided to give it a whirl. “At first I was intimidated,” says Philbrick. “I had heard all of this terminology about crashing and about things disappearing on the computer never to be seen again.”

Philbrick has since lost that fear and today is busy surfing the Web. “I e-mail my friends and family, play games, and look up anything that I want to research,” she says. “I’ve looked up song lyrics, I shop online—just about anything you can think of. It fascinates me how much information is available, and it makes me feel good that I’m keeping up with the times.”

Computer-minded
“I use the computer primarily for e-mail and genealogical research, as well as for creating and storing records,” says Charles Blackburn, president of the Charlestown Computer Club, which has more than 150 members.

Blackburn’s involvement withcomputers began in the early 1960s with his service in the U.S. Navy, earning him the rank Electronic Technician’s Mate 2nd Class. Later as an electrical engineer, he received on-the-job training in computer science and computer programming. Since then, he has participated in training programs with the Capital PC Users Group and now estimates he logs between 15–20 hours on the computer a week.

“I think attaining even minimal computer knowledge is well worth the effort for anyone,” says Blackburn. “The resources the computer provides make almost any activity faster, better, and cheaper. It can also open doorways to new activities, interests, and ideas that otherwise might remain hidden.”

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Fully equipped
Not everyone who lives at Charlestown or Oak Crest has a personal computer, nor do people need one. Both communities are equipped with computer labs featuring high-speed Internet, printers, scanners, and technical support. The labs are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Zed Hrubec moved to Oak Crest 13 years ago from Annapolis and was instrumental in establishing the computer lab on campus.

“It’s my job to keep the operation organized and recruit volunteers to help. We meet at regular intervals with the information technology staff to exchange news, but the lab itself is run by residents,” says Hrubec, who is also the leader of Oak Crest’s computer group.

Of the 170 members in the Oak Crest computer group, Hrubec says about 80 people use the lab regularly, with some 15 to 20 people in the lab each day.

Margaret Ingram joined the Computer Club when she moved to Oak Crest 11 years ago. “I had used computers and learned several versions of word processing from my work, but I didn’t have any in-depth knowledge,” she says. “Now, I teach two word processing classes annually here at Oak Crest. I also e-mail regularly, make posters for various groups in the community, pay many of my bills online, shop online, and research historical information online.”

After taking an HTML course sponsored by the Oak Crest Computer Club, Ingram constructed her own Web page: www.kinsellasearch.com. It features her personal family history, including a glimpse into life during the Civil War.

Surf from home
If you already own a computer or are considering buying one, setting up a home office is a cinch at Charlestown and Oak Crest because every apartment comes equipped with multiple telephone lines and access to high-speed Internet service. Both communities also have monthly support groups for people who have home computers, and onsite technical assistance is available.

“We provide software and hardware support and training for PC owners at Charlestown and Oak Crest,” says Paul Moxley, information services community technician. “We do everything from installing new antivirus programs and Windows to replacing CD-ROMs, hard drives, modems, and monitors to training in the use of hardware and software,” he says.

If you’re currently shopping for a personal computer, Moxley offers this advice: “Make a list of what you hope to use your computer for. That way you can make a shopping list of the options you want and need. Then shop around your Sunday sales flyers in your local newspaper for the best price.”

As for retirees like Philbrick, even though she’s becoming more and more computer savvy, when asked if she could live without one, she says, “Oh definitely! For me, it’s more fun than a necessity.”