How computers can help you connect with friends and family no matter how far away

On Thursday I wrote about how I spent a "virtual Thanksgiving" with my brother by setting up a computer at the other end of the table with a web cam, while my brother did the same in his apartment in LA, a couple of thousand miles away.

Because of this gift of modern technology, I could spend the holiday with my brother, who I unfortunately haven't been able to see in close to three years, and I could get to know his girlfriend better, who I haven't met yet in person.

I've also mentioned in past newsletters that I use the same "video call" or "video chat" (either term is fine) technology to talk with my parents, who live even further away than my brother.

Well, it seems my brother and I weren't the only ones doing a virtual Thanksgiving this year. Today I found a very interesting article from The New York Times about how the two fastest growing groups of people making video calls via web cam are seniors and toddlers. It seems more and more grandparents use this as a way to keep in touch with their loved ones.

And in many cases, according to the article, the grandparents said that if they weren't able to do regular video calls, they would be complete strangers to their own grandchildren.

But because of the web cam in their computer, and free video chat software like iChat or Skype, it's now possible for young grandchildren who have never been within 1,000 miles of their grandparents in their entire lives get to see them and spend time with them every week.

One of my personal clients, whose testimonial appears on my website, was able to witness the first steps of one of her grandchildren in the same way.

I remember her writing me in tears because she was so happy I'd just set it up for her and she was able to have that once-in-a-lifetime experience of her grandson's first steps, even though he lived on the other side of the ocean.

I just love the way that something that has become almost commonplace in the last few years, but which would have seemed like science fiction not that long ago, is able to bring people together so easily.

In my opinion, one of the greatest benefits of understanding computers and being good at using them is the opportunities it opens up for us to connect with each other.

Hopefully you've begun to explore the possibilities of what you can do today, and what will be possible in the future... With me, I think it's worth pursuing.

Of course if you need a little more help getting going, that's understandable. One of the easiest ways is with my quick, easy video computer lessons.

Don't forget I'm running a 21% off sale through the end of Monday (known as "Cyber Monday", which is the online equivalent of "Black Friday"), and after the sale ends, my prices are going up.

So if you act today, you can save over $112.37 on my Ultimate Beginner's Bundle of 21 easy computer lesson CDs for Apple Mac and for Windows PCs.

The bundle includes lessons on how to download, setup, and use Skype for free to make voice (phone) calls and video calls like I've been talking about, plus 20 more easy CDs covering dozens of topics from safety and security, to working with photos, email, the Web, and more.

You can take advantage of the opportunity to save by calling my new 24-hour toll-free number -- (888) 883-7698. Just make sure to mention that you have a coupon code. The special code is: "empower" and is needed to save $112.37 on my Ultimate Beginner's Bundle.

Or use one of the following two links to see a list and description of every single lesson on all of the CDs, with the opportunity to order safely online (make sure you put the coupon code word "empower" without quotes into the coupon code box and hit apply to get the 21% discount)

Windows XP or Vista users click for:
The Ultimate Beginners Bundle of Quick, Easy Computer Lessons for Windows XP and Vista

or

Apple Mac computer users click for:
The Ultimate Beginners Bundle of Quick, Easy Computer Lessons for Mac OS X



And since they come with a 365-day money back guarantee, you can order with confidence, so you can use the computer with confidence.

You'll be glad you did.

until next time, enjoy,

Worth Godwin


P.S. Remember, to save $112.37 you need to act this weekend, and use the special coupon code word "empower".

You can either talk to a real live person (located here in the US) on my 24-hour toll-free number, or use the links below to see a list of every lesson before you order.

The number again, is (888) 883-7698

The links again are:

Windows XP or Vista users click for:
The Ultimate Beginners Bundle of Quick, Easy Computer Lessons for Windows XP and Vista

and

Apple Mac computer users click for:
The Ultimate Beginners Bundle of Quick, Easy Computer Lessons for Mac OS X

Happy Thanksgiving from Worth Godwin

Today is Thanksgiving here in the States, and it's just past 4PM here in Hawaii.

For my overseas readers who may not be familiar with the American tradition, on the third Thursday of every November, we join family and friends around the table and give thanks for the good things in our lives.

Originally, I was going to be trekking to the other side of the island (about an hour and a half long drive each way) to spend the holiday with some friends, but I ended up changing my plans kind of at the last minute.

This year, I'm doing something a little different, and something that's only possible thanks to the modern age of computers and the Internet -- I'm having a "virtual Thanksgiving" with my brother, who is a drummer who lives in the Los Angeles area, some 2,000 or so miles away.

How am I doing it?

I have a computer sitting on the dining room table (it's an iMac, where the computer is built into the back of the screen, so it doesn't take up too much room) and he has his laptop on his table, with our web cams pointing so we can see each other shuttling between the kitchen and the living room, and when we sit down to eat in a few minutes, we'll all get to sit together at the same virtual table and share a meal.

Is it as good as being able to spend time with my brother in person?

No, of course not.

But it's the next best thing, and pretty amazing to be able to stay connected in this way (for free even!) when we live thousands of miles away, and sadly haven't been able to see each other in close to three years.

So on this day I'm thankful for many things. Just a few are:

- my brother, who's always got my back

- my parents, who love me

- my friends here on the island and elsewhere

- my clients, both my local clients who I work with face-to-face, as well as my students here in Hawaii, on the mainland, and in countries around the world.

I especially appreciate it when my students take the time to write me with their success stories, and tell me how my lessons and my help have changed their lives and the way they feel about the computer

- modern technology and the opportunities it provides us with to connect with people no matter where they are in the world

- the fact that when I was a kid, I was lucky enough to have a knack for computers, and even more importantly, had the positive attitude that computers were fun, which made it *so* much easier to learn them, and the resulting knowledge and skills that opened so many doors in my life.

There's more, but I think that's enough to leave you with today, especially since my dinner looks like it's about ready, and my brother is looking at me expectantly from across the room (and across the ocean at the same time!).

So on this day, and the days to come, focus on the positive things in your life, cast aside your fears, and look forward to the positive things we can all create in our lives if we just believe in ourselves and empower ourselves by making the right choices and keeping an optimistic and positive attitude about our lives.

Until next time, enjoy,

Worth Godwin