Monthly Newsletters

President’s Message As we step into February, it is an ideal opportunity to review and enhance our digital security practices to safeguard our online presence. This month, we will highlight the significance of implementing multi-factor authentication as a crucial component of our security measures. Now for some club updates: First Level Support The FLS team… Read more: February 2025 Newsletter

President’s Message As your incoming President, I look forward to working with our Board and Committee volunteers to help “untangle technology” for our members.  I am not a Geek nor a power user but this stuff has become so woven into my daily routine that I sometimes need help navigating through or out of the… Read more: January 2025 Newsletter

Year End President’s Message Approaching the end of 2024 is bittersweet for me, as it signifies the end of a one-year term that somehow turned into four years. During this time, we went from a full-on pandemic back to a somewhat normal state, but we didn’t arrive here without learning a lot of lessons…many of… Read more: December 2024 Newsletter

Apple Intelligence Overview If you use an iPhone, iPad or Mac computer, this newsletter contains some of the most important information you’ll ever read regarding these devices. In the most recent releases of iOS & iPadOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1, Apple has started rolling out Apple Intelligence, which is AI for Apple devices. In my… Read more: November 2024 Newsletter

Windows Includes Ransomware Protection (Here’s how to turn it on) Ransomware is nasty stuff. This type of malware encrypts files on your PC so you can’t access them unless you pay the attacker to unlock the data. Basically, your files are held hostage until you cough up the demanded ransom, or you’re able to survive… Read more: September 2024 Newsletter

This month’s newsletter contains three unrelated, but informational and timely topics I hope you’ll find helpful. (Thanks to Karen Brown for these suggestions.) Tellico Village Network Custom App The Tellico Village Network (TVN) has a custom app that is available for download on Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV, making it as easy to watch… Read more: August 2024 Newsletter

Microsoft Copilot Integration in Windows 11 Regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI), it’s apparent we can run but we can’t hide. AI is everywhere and it’s only just getting started. In the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and user-centric computing, Microsoft has introduced Copilot as a transformative feature within Windows 11. This seamless integration brings a dynamic… Read more: July 2024 Newsletter

Five Very Helpful Computing Tips Often, the simplest computing tasks in Windows are the easiest to forget how to do. Following are five tips to help you do some of the most important things on a Windows computer and ironically, they’re also the things we most often forget how to do. I hope you’ll tuck… Read more: May 2024 Newsletter

How to Clear the Cache on Your iPhone How often have you thought your iPhone seemed sluggish, or even downright slow? If you’ve had your iPhone for more than six months and use it often, there’s a good chance that its cache needs to be cleared. Having the browser cache filled with months, or even… Read more: April 2024 Newsletter

Smart Home Special Interest Group (SIG) Survey One of the things the TVCUC board of directors struggles with is finding new ways to provide our members with interesting and informative content. But as technology moves forward in so many ways, one area of interest seems to stand out, and we receive many questions about it… Read more: March 2024 Newsletter

Staying Safe Online (Take #2) In May 2023, I used this same title for the monthly newsletter, but from the increasing number of FLS support calls we’ve had recently from our members about fraud, it’s time to revisit this topic. Staying safe online is not an easy task because the bad actors are devising new… Read more: February 2024 Newsletter

Beginning the New Year Typically, in each month’s newsletter we offer tips and information on technology-related articles that can help you get more mileage out of your computer or other technology devices. But as the new year begins, we need to ask for your help. The TVCUC is sourced by volunteers, and these individuals are… Read more: January 2024 Newsletter

Thanksgiving Gratitude for Technology’s Bounty As Thanksgiving approaches, a time-honored tradition of reflection and gratitude, it’s only fitting to extend our appreciation beyond the dinner table and into the realm of technology. In the 21st century, our lives are intricately woven with digital threads that make the fabric of our existence more convenient, interconnected, and… Read more: November 2023 Newsletter

Using a Computer Helps Keep Our Minds Sharper In today’s digital age, our relationship with computers is more than just functional. Beyond productivity and connectivity, computers can have a huge influence on our cognitive skills, regardless of our age. Let’s look at how these electronic marvels can be instrumental in keeping our minds razor-sharp and… Read more: October 2023 Newsletter

Fitness Wearables – The Latest Trend Two things trending high for active seniors are password managers and fitness wearables. Last month I talked about password managers, so this month I did some research on fitness wearables to share with you. This turned out to be very informative for me, as I didn’t realize fitness wearables… Read more: September 2023 Newsletter

Unlocking the Power of Security with Password Managers In an increasingly digital world, safeguarding your online presence has never been more crucial. This month, I’ll talk about a pivotal tool that should find a home in everyone’s digital arsenal: the Password Manager. Password managers are currently one of the hottest apps being downloaded and used… Read more: August 2023 Newsletter

Last month, I teased you about writing this month’s newsletter completely with ChatGPT. Well, I decided to try it, and the result was so amazing, I just had to share it with you. I’ve touched on some of what ChatGPT says here in past newsletters, but I asked ChatGPT to “write a 500-word newsletter about… Read more: July 2023 Newsletter

ChatGPT You may not think that ChatGPT is important to you, or even relevant…but it is, and you don’t even have a choice. In its very short life since November 2022, ChatGPT has become integrated with the primary internet search engines, embraced by the top technology giants, and has become an irreversible way of the… Read more: June 2023 Newsletter

STAYING SAFE ONLINE Earlier this week, I spoke to a local group here in Tellico Village about this same topic, and while gathering my thoughts about what to say, it seemed appropriate to also share them with all of you. Staying safe online is becoming more difficult because the bad actors are devising new ways… Read more: May 2023 Newsletter

How to Pause Windows (and Mac) Updates Even though configuring your computer for automatic updates is set by default on new computers, sometimes users turn this off because it gets in the way. Then they forget to turn updates back on and miss important system updates. Here are some easy steps to follow if you… Read more: April 2023 Newsletter

How to Become a Computer-Savvy Senior I often talk about ways you can be more engaged with technology because every day I see folks struggling with things that could be so much easier if they were aided by technology. Things that would make their lives easier and help gain back some time each day that… Read more: March 2023 Newsletter

10,000 Computers – and Still Going Strong! This month is all about how our Technology Access Program (TAP) just reached an unbelievable milestone – refurbishing and repurposing 10,000 computers! Certainly, a milestone that was unimaginable when the TAP program was conceived in 2007. TAP was envisioned by Warren Sanders, a pillar in our club, and… Read more: February 2023 Monthly Newsletter

Two Things for 2023 As we begin 2023, there are two things I’d like to share with you. The first is something we enjoy being able to offer our members each January, and the second…well, you can read that when you finish reading the first one. TAP Computers for Sale Every January, the rules regarding… Read more: January 2023 Monthly Newsletter

Don’t Get Scammed Over the Holidays (or Anytime) The holidays are the perfect time for scammers to try and take advantage of you. A couple of these tips we’ve shared with you previously, but they’re worth repeating, along with some new ones. Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know. Scammers often pretend to… Read more: December 2022 Monthly Newsletter

Whether you’re buying technology tools and gadgets for yourself, or family and friends, it’s easy to fall prey to gift guides that feature items based solely on affiliate marketing (where the publisher receives a percentage of the sale). For our last monthly bulletin of the year, we’re featuring some very highly rated and affordable gift… Read more: November 2022 Monthly Newsletter

Staying Safe Online There are currently several ways that bad actors are convincing folks to do the wrong things online. You may have recently read in the news that Facebook just warned over a million users their private information had been leaked through some apps that let users sign into other places using Facebook. In… Read more: October 2022 Monthly Newsletter

September Monthly Bulletin Preparing Your Old Computer for Donation, Selling or Recycling Buying a new computer? Regardless of what you’re planning to do with your old computer (PC or Mac), the first, and most important thing you should do is to completely erase the hard drive. Your best option for this is to use the… Read more: September 2022 Monthly Newsletter

July Monthly Bulletin President’s Message Computer Problems? Try These Solutions First. I was talking recently with Tom Verbeke, who heads up our First Level Support (FLS) team, about which technology problems we encounter most frequently. It turns out that many support calls answered by our FLS team are for repetitive problems, and we thought it… Read more: July 2022 Monthly Newsletter

June Monthly Bulletin President’s Message How to be a Tech-Savvy Senior Some of our members are already tech-savvy, but for those who aren’t – or for those who’d like to just ride along, here is some information to help you master the ever-changing world of technology. As seniors living in a digital world, we can… Read more: June 2022 Monthly Newsletter

May Monthly Bulletin President’s Message Is it Time for a New Smartphone? Now is a great time to shop for a new smartphone. It’s mid-year for most manufacturers and they’re past the onslaught of buyers wanting the latest and greatest when new phones first release, and they’re also dealing with slumping sales caused by other… Read more: May 2022 Monthly Newsletter

April Monthly Bulletin Aging in Place (With the Help of a Smart Home) As we grow older, the need for a support system becomes greater, including assistance from family members, caregivers, or even a residence that is designed to accommodate seniors. We’re more prone to reduced vision, less mobility, risk of falls, and more. Wouldn’t… Read more: April 2022 Monthly Newsletter

March Monthly Bulletin President’s Message I’m devoting this entire monthly bulletin to a very important topic that affects us all – digitally preparing for when we’re gone. Seldom a month goes by that I, or someone else on the FLS team, helps a member access a deceased loved one’s phone or computer to obtain access to financial… Read more: March 2022 Monthly Newsletter

President’s Message This month’s message is about our Technology Access Program (TAP) and the helping nature of our members. The recent tornadoes in Tennessee and Kentucky wreaked havoc with thousands of families, leaving them homeless and stripped of all their possessions. No one felt this devastation more than the children. Adults are more resilient and… Read more: February 2022 Monthly Newsletter

President’s Message We’ve been receiving lots of questions about Windows 11. Should I upgrade? Is Windows 11 a big change? Will I have to learn everything again? Do I have to upgrade? What happens if I don’t upgrade? I’ll address these concerns again and provide some additional insight about Microsoft’s newest of version of the Windows operating… Read more: January 2022 Monthly Newsletter

President’s Message The holiday season is a time when we can all slow down a little, enjoy our families and friends, and start planning the new year ahead. On behalf of the TVCUC Board of Directors and our many volunteers, I wish each of you and your families health and happiness for the holiday season… Read more: December 2021 Monthly Newsletter

President’s Message  The first half of October was a busy time for the Technology Giants. Microsoft announced Windows 11, the first new version in over six years; Apple released their annual new line of iPhones, followed by a second event announcing a completely redesigned MacBook Pro, powered by faster processors than we could have ever… Read more: October 2021 Monthly Newsletter

President’s Message Windows 11 will start to become available on October 5, 2021. On this day, the free upgrade to Windows 11 will begin rolling out to eligible Windows 10 PCs, and PCs that come pre-loaded with Windows 11 will start to become available for purchase. A new Windows experience, Windows 11 is designed to… Read more: September 2021 Monthly Newsletter

President’s Message When we ask our members what we can do better, technology education is almost always at the top of the list. While we love being able to directly help you with First Level Support, we know you would also like to learn more about your technology devices with resources such as professionally created… Read more: August 2021 Monthly Newsletter

President’s Message June was a very busy month! With COVID restrictions lifted, we can now travel to visit family and friends again and begin returning to life as we used to know it. But travel often means hotels with unsecured Wi-Fi and the temptation to just join that free Wi-Fi with the same password that… Read more: July 2021 Monthly Newsletter