been limited to maybe a quick telephone conversation or during the infrequent family get-togethers. Over the past few weeks though, contact with grandparent and grandchild has been relived over and over thanks to the age of the computer.

Since my granddaughter was presented with her own computer this Christmas, we have been able to connect with each other almost every day with short personal messages. Instantly knowing what she has learned at school and seeing samples of her work is incredible in itself but receiving

family photos and having the ability each day to tell her how much she is loved and how proud I am of her achievements has become one of life's pleasures. These very special little messages are simply referred to as  e-mails but they represent much more than that.

Personal computers have been around for decades but over the past few years with the growth of the Internet they have become more of a household appliance. Not only have they become more affordable but they are also much more user friendly than they were a few years ago.

Most people over the age of forty remember computers as being complicated, space-age pieces of electronic equipment, operated by extremely highly trained employees in

commercial offices. For this reason many older people and especially seniors have been afraid to have such an evil and complicated monster in their home.

True, there is evil on the Internet but you do not have to be part of it no more than you have to buy cigarettes when shopping at a convenience store. There are safeguards that can be activated on most computers today that offer varying filter levels suitable for all age groups and preference. Pornographic and other undesirable websites can be blocked from access and there are even filters that prevent unwanted advertising from appearing. To many of us that grew up before hi-tech electronics were commonplace computers seem complicated and difficult to understand and something to be avoided. Those were my feelings until it was realized that it isn't necessary to learn everything about a computer in order to use one. When you turn on the television set, you do not need to know how it works or even how to program it  in order to use it. Not so long ago the microwave had not been invented and when

it first appeared it seemed a mysterious device but how many of us would want to be without one now. With a computer, it is not necessary to learn how to type, or even spell for that matter as there are built in spelling and grammar checkers if you wish to use them. A few years ago, the new hi-tech was using an electric typewriter with a built in word processor but

today even children's toys are more technologically advanced. Taking that first step to being convinced that a computer is convenient and easy to use is the most difficult part of using the new technology. So if you are unsure of that first step, visit the Cleveland Public Library or better still ask a child or grandchild to demonstrate its advantages.

A computer in the home has so many other advantages for us older citizens as well as using

it for keeping in touch. The Internet opens up a whole new world in research for medications, diagnosing illnesses, travel, shopping or even just looking up long lost friends. By simply typing what you are looking for into a little box one can go directly to whatever or whoever  they want.  You can even read this newspaper without picking one up. It is not necessary to know how to search  the Internet, it's as easy as changing television channels using a remote. Unlike the television set and video recorder, once the computer has been turned on it can be left on to display a pretty picture or maybe a photo of the grandkids. In order to click onto what you want to see, instead of the remote, a mouse is used (computers have been around long enough for us all to know that does not mean a furry rodent.) Getting used to using the mouse can take a little practice but not as much as learning to drive a car. It is highly recommended to go to a "games" program and play a few rounds of Solitaire (almost all computers come with a variety of games,) this will help learn to control and navigate the mouse across the screen. Once familiar with using the Internet for searches or e-mails, you may find yourself using it for book keeping, banking, ordering prescriptions, doing your taxes, the capabilities are endless. If  the computer still seems complicated or you feel the need to learn more, check with  Cleveland Community College for a beginners class. Some of Cleveland's small computer businesses such as W.R. Jewels and Trinity Computer also offer classes or helpful advice.

The idea of this article is to convince grandma and grandpa that keeping up with technology is not as scary or evil as it seems and that a computer is even easier to operate than a VCR was back in the eighties.  It is to encourage them that benefits beyond belief and all the world's combined knowledge, is available to everyone right in their  own home. A good computer package for most people's needs can be purchased for as low as $300-$400 and a good used machine can cost even less. A package typically includes the computer, printer and monitor.  If setting it up is a problem, get one of your friends or relatives to help. Even if a new computer is only used for keeping contact with your family, just think what you could be missing without one.