This week I had the privilege of working with three unique and energetic gentlemen. These men exemplify a certain spirit that allows you to accomplish anything if you set your mind to it. They show that you are never too old to take advantage of today's technology and that learning something new can be a worthwhile challenge. If any of you have avoided getting a computer because you thought you were too old or you thought that it would be too difficult to learn something new, you can learn something from these three individuals.

The first is someone that many of you will be able to associate with. Herb got so tired of fighting viruses, spyware, and PC hiccups that he surfed over to the Apple website and purchased a new Mac. No matter that he only knew how to use a PC. No matter that he would have to learn a new operating system. Herb was determined to get out of the PC world. Yet he had grown used to the wonders of computers for email communications as well as for tracking his finances and surfing the web. So the move to the Mac was a logical one for him. Herb called me to help him move his data from the PC to the Mac. Learning to use the Mac will, no doubt, be a challenge for Herb, but one he is willing to take on. When I asked him if he was at all concerned about learning how to use this new computer, he replied, "You're never too old to learn something new." Herb is 80.

My next call came from an 88 year old named Ed. He called to have me correct some errors that were appearing on his computer. When Ed's wife died about two years ago, he was overwhelmed with grief, but instead of sulking, he used his computer to write a book. This 360 page document is now complete and he has several bound copies. Ed's book is a tribute to his wonderful wife and the 61 years of happy marriage that they enjoyed. Ed is dynamic. He never says never. Although like all computer users, he sometimes faces frustrations, he is open to doing new things on the computer and he takes pride in his accomplishments.

My next stop was to help John with an email problem. John is so active that it is hard to believe that he is 92. He uses the computer to keep in touch with friends and acquaintances around the world. So when his email program started sending multiple copies of each email, it was a major disturbance for him. John is already an accomplished writer, but I know him as a non-fiction writer. While I worked on solving John's email dilemma, he told me about the science fiction book that he is writing on his computer. To John, the computer is a worthwhile tool that helps him accomplish his goals and he always has a meaningful project to complete. Surfing the web is second nature to John. At 92, he has seen a lot of changes in the world and he is not willing to let any of them pass him by.

I have met sixty-year olds who don't want to get a computer because they don't want the bother and they are afraid of trying something new. I have seen people even younger who don't want to move to Vista because they don't want to have to learn a new operating system. Yet here we have an example of how some folks are using computers to enhance their lives and to keep their minds active. They face the challenges and frustrations of computers and come out winners!!