Harlem Internet Computer Access Program

Gung Hay Fat Choy 4710

2012-01-29T05:11:00.000-08:00

Friday, January 27, the Fifth Day called Poo Woo; HICAP celebrated the Year of the Dragon. Our dining table was adorned with:

A Pineapple Centerpiece surrounded by Tangerines & festive candies
Fruit Salad on both ends & Carrots, Broccoli, Celery, Cherry Tomatoes Platter in the middle
Platters with Homemade Chinese Noodles & Dumpllings on display
Homemade Chinese Cake-gelatin with coconut bits
Apple Juice
The experimental Chai Tea was a hit, absolutely delicious & invigorating!

Mr. Wu is going to school to learn English. Because I cannot leave my empoly until 5 p.m., the students are in class before I arrive. Mr. Morrison picked me up from work to assist me with carrying goodies. When I walked in the class, Mr. Wu had created two signs in English for me and wrote at top in Chinese--"Year of the Teacher". It doesn't get much better than this.

A fter consuming several cups of tea and filling our plates two or three times with the delicious delights, we opened our discussion by honoring the Cao & Wu families. I thanked Yan Cao for assisting in the cultural authenication of our celebration. And, I read about each day of the Chinese New Year, what it signifies, how it is observed, who each day honors and the foods to be consumed that day. After reading about the last day, I yelled, 'Gung Hay Fat Choy!' and released a confetti popper to everyone's amused amazement.

Chinese New Year

2012-01-09T15:41:00.000-08:00

You are invited to

Celebrate Chinese New Year 4710

The Year of the Water Dragon

with

HICAP

Friday, January 27, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.

10 West 138th Street

R.S.V.P.: 347.603.8829

2012-01-09T15:18:00.000-08:00

On January 6th marking the Twelth Day of Christmas, HICAP classes resumed.

After viewing the HICAP video, 'Breaking Barriers' created by the Internet Society on youtube, we discussed:

BANDWIDTH--The Currency of the Internet

Bandwidth--digital signal processing measuring radio frequencies in Hz
Wireless Broadband--provides instantaneous bandwidths greater than one MHz with a bit rate greater than 1.5 Mbit/s.

In a previous HICAP Session, we discussed QR Codes; how they work and we created a few for HICAP. We, also, discussed audio QR possibilities!

HICAP Students have covered to date:

2011-11-02T07:09:00.000-07:00

Bits

Binary Code

ASCII Conversion Table

Scientific Notation

Exponential Powers

HICAP Offers Free Internet & Computer Access

2011-10-31T07:58:00.000-07:00

For many years, the Board of Directors' at the Chauncey Hooper Towers located at 10 West 138th Street in Harlem have offered computer and Internet access to anyone who required that service. Although there are ongoing classes weekly, if the need to use a computer to take care of business or just to look something or someone up, the computer lab is available to Senior Citizens and persons with assistive needs...all are welcome at HICAP!

Seniors and Technoloy

2011-10-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

Senior Citizens come to HICAP-Harlem Internet Computer Access Program-not only to utilize a computer and access the Internet, they also build their technical and scientific vocabulary in our hands-on, stress-free environment.
*
Computer Class for the 2011-2012 Session began October 7, 2011. Our discussion included:

Computer memory

Internet sends/receives data

Cloud Computing

Hertz

Bytes

C: Drive

March

2011-03-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

Some time in the near future, we will be graced with the presence of Joly McFie of the Internet Society-NYC. He is coming to bless us in the form of a scanner for the students to utilize.

The Internet at HICAP has remained accessible for all computers, including our desk top, since the introduction of the wireless modem.

On March 15, 2011, Speech Recognition Software is loaded, so that HICAP Seniors can speak their commands and have them implemented. We will test the efficacy of the software and make our assesment.

We have new, returning and an ongoing student population utilizing the HICAP lab, we applaud their efforts.

Recent Discussions Included:

2011-02-15T07:42:00.000-08:00

Understanding bits
USB for expansion hub
RFID
Frequency and Amplitude
Extensions

Because HICAP students knowledge base has progressed; putting what has been garnered into practice is our current collective goal. Our class will be shooting video, uploading it to our website and youtube. This promises to be an exciting time for all.

Comments are welcome.

Social Security Administration

2010-11-08T13:37:00.000-08:00

Will visit our lab

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

at 1:30 pm

with an informative presentation

Ms. Shirley Saxton

from

The Social Security Administration

highlighting

Medicare Part D Enrollment

ALL ARE INVITED

All FREE HICAP Services

2010-10-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

As students who attend classes learn computer components, navigation and Internet browsing, we are gearing up to serve those community members, whom are physically unable to attend. We are offering an in-home video e-mail service. HICAP representatives will capture sentiments and e-mail them to the addresses provided by the recipient. We are honored to assist all participating members of our community.

SEPTEMBER 2010 EVENTS

2010-08-02T08:32:00.000-07:00

HICAP will resume its scheduled classes every TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY
(unless otherwise specified)

Tuesday, September 14-Registration & Opening Day

Tuesday, September 21-First Day of Class

Wednesday, September 22-OneWebDay founded on September 22, 2006 by Susan Crawford, who currently works with the Obama administration celebrates the Internet's affect internationally with over 30 countries. Come, celebrate the Internet's OneWebDay with HICAP!

Message to the 2010 HICAP Graduates

2010-06-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 24, 2010

I would like to thank you for coming to class through your pain, after chemo, after waiting in the sun so long that you almost had heat stroke trying to get here on time; and also for coming to class after doctors' appointments just to capture the last few minutes of knowledge.

I would like to thank you for believing that this boring technical language will someday be useful. Most of all, I would like to thank each of you for achieving and surpassing my expectations.

A special acknowledgement to those who've had family and health issues and could not continue with us; remember, we are here when you are ready. My mission is to empower you with the understanding that you control this bit based system that we call computer. Your coursework over the summer is to remain hungry for knowledge. Most of all, I thank you for being you--HICAP ISOC-NY.

HICAP 2010 Graduation Celebration

2010-06-25T07:49:00.000-07:00

2010-06-25T07:47:00.000-07:00

2010-06-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

2010-06-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

2010-06-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

Final Day of Class

2010-06-23T07:05:00.001-07:00

2010-06-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

Elated Student for HICAP in September

2010-06-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

Senior Fun & Wellness Day

2010-06-10T07:26:00.000-07:00

Friday, June 11, 2010

from 1 pm - 4 pm

at the

HARLEM YMCA

Gymnasium

180 West 135 Street * Harlem, USA

Games * Raffles * Food * Nutritional Info * Exercise Demo

Guest passes to the YMCA will be given to all in attendance

Harlem Living Will Seminar

2010-06-01T23:49:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6

Questions will be answered about:

Power of Attorney
Will
Living Will
Health Care Proxy
Final Directive

This Life Preparation is sponsored by
St. Mark the Evangelist Church
65 West 138 Street * Harlem, USA
212 690 1821

FCC Ban of Microphones

2010-05-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

To all my friends in Internet land
I want to tell you of an FCC ban
After June 12th, 2010
Microphone use will begin to end
Not all mics, now here's the dirt
Only those within 700 MHz
This rule occurs in urgency
Affecting bandwidth used for emergency

To see if the law affects your mic, go to: www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones/manufacturers.html

Privacy and The Internet

2010-05-18T19:06:00.000-07:00

I am perplexed by the notion of privacy on the Internet. The law in the United States protects against illegal search and seizure, the law does not apply to data. The Internet is designed to broadcast throughout the world. One would not seek confidentiality in a place intended for sharing. There is knowledge that has remained buried for many years; it was never placed on the Internet. Governmental, medical, business and educational institutions are responsible for securing our personal data that is input onto their networked systems. Nothing, once it leaves you, is sacred. The best use of the Internet is to broadcast and to share data. In an earlier discussion we stated that, 'Nothing should be done on the Internet, that would not be done in a court of law'.

Google and privacy-the government has access to all data searched on Google. After 18 months, Google anonymizes data, but a person can still be tracked through discarded records. All searches are connected to your IP address. Googles states that no one owns posted data.

InPrivate is Microsoft's answer to privacy, but it entails numerous keystrokes. Every keystroke is recorded by the computer, even deletions. The computer stores deleted files until they are written over.

Seek privacy within yourself, not on the Internet. The Internet hold numerous breach opportunities, even with encryption.

What are your thoughts on Privacy and The Internet?

2010-05-12T18:53:00.000-07:00

Ms. Saxton is demonstrating how to search the http://www.ssa.gov/ site, while students follow on hicap laptops.

Today, May 12, 2010

2010-05-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

Ms. Shirley Saxton from the Social Security Administration is here at HICAP explaining how to make an appointment by calling 800-772-1213. She helps students access the multi-lingual page, so that they can source information and publications in Cantonese, Spanish and English. The site supports approximately 15 other languages. Another way to access Socical Security is through http://www.youtube.com/ with help from Patty Duke an ssa.gov spokesperson. To assist the legally blind, Ms. Saxton shows students how to enlarge the site's text. Her session ran an hour or more overtime. The seniors did not want to leave. Gift bags were given to all attendees.

The Month of May

2010-05-03T17:24:00.000-07:00

This month we will review what we've learned
Prepare a PowerPoint Presentaion of class pictures
We will record the voices of students for 'In Our Own Words' series
Invite Social Security Administration and a local business to demonstrate ease of accessing their site via the Internet
Prepare for June 24, 2010 Graduation

Philip Emeagwali * Internet Pioneer

2010-04-28T08:39:00.001-07:00

PHILIP EMEAGWALI, born in Akure, Nigeria on August 23rd, 1954 to Agatha and James Emeagwali; is the oldest of nine children. Son of a scientist and mathematician, his father insisted upon him doing 100's of calculations daily in his head. He became known as the human calculator. By the time Emeagwali was 12-years-old, civil war broke out and he was inducted into the Biafran army as a cook; a position that he says saved his life. He was smuggled out the country by his family and came to America; where he studied and earned his GED. From there he's won many awards and has received several degrees. Emeagwali speaks of the comparison of him to Bill Gates:

"It is like comparing apples to oranges. I am a supercomputer scientist while Bill Gates is a software entrepreneur. The scientist creates the knowledge while the entruepreneur takes it, monetizes it, and runs with it."

In 1989, Emeagwali created the knowledge that thousands of electronic brains, called processors could outperform a supercomputer. His discovery was against the prevailing dogma: The president of the leading supercomputer company told The New York Times [11/29/89]:

"A major scientific discovery by a team of 24 co-discoverers supported by a 400 person laboratory or $400 million grants. How then did an African immigrant who worked alone...indifferent to other's skepticism of wild theories achieve a break-through in supercomputing?
"New knowledge builds upon old knowledge and the names of most contributors were lost in antiquity. For instance, I developed nine algorithms which I implemented as 24 million algebraic equations. My work therefore builds upon the knowledge of the ninth century Persian mathematician, Muhammed idn Musa Al-Khwarizmi, who published an influential book Al-Jabr wa'l maqabalah. The words "Al-Khwarizmi" and "Al-Jabr wa'l" were corrupted to algorithm and algebra, respectively. I could not have solved 24 million algebraic equations without building upon the knowledge developed 1680 years before Christ was born by an African mathematician named Ahmes who wrote the oldest mathematic text book with solutions of equation. There were many discoveries and inventions that I built upon to make mine."[1]
(c)1972-2005 emeagwali.com info@emeagwali.com Page 51 of 517

EMEAGWALI is responsible for:

* 65,000 computers in 1970 connected around the world is what we now know as the Internet
* 65,536 processors in 1988 configured in parallel to yield 3.1 billion calculations per second
* Hyperball model represents the earth is what meteorologist use today to predict weather
* Real time video Internet conversation exists because of enumerated processor speeds

[1] http://www.emeagwali.com/ to learn more about our cyberspace pioneer!

Computers & Extensions

2010-04-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

All computers contain:

Fan for cooling the system
Power Supply stimulates electrical activity through system circuits
Motherboard allows system's components and periphery to communicate
System Crystal pulsates at specific frequency, keeping system's time
Ports USB, RJ11, cable, media
System defaults...
*
How does a series or parallel configuration work?
*
What is an extension? List country extensions

This Week We Explored

2010-04-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

Excel
Publisher
Word
Accessories
Paint
Internet Explorer
Initializing
Loading
Buffering

This Week's Discussion

2010-04-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

Flash Drives
USB ports
Desktop
Icons
Click-left or right
Screen Savers
Accessories
Media
Volume

and

Philip Emeagwali, Father of the Internet

Students in Attendance

2010-04-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

Last Week's Discussion

2010-04-20T07:09:00.000-07:00

Last week we discussed the difference between Hertz and bytes:

kilo = 1,000
mega = 1,000,000
giga = 1,000,000,000
tera = 1,000,000,000,000

Utilizing the above prefixes combined with Hertz or bytes produces either the speed or storage capacity of a computer.

Standard and assigned disk drives

Recognition of symbols for media

After Class, Students Leaving

2010-04-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

The Internet Law

2010-04-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Nothing is to be done on the Internet that would not be done in a court of law.

Seniors hard at work, surfing the Internet. Two students are searching in their native Chinese dialect. Our legally blind student searches in large print. A representative from the Social Security Administration is coming to HICAP to demonstrate to students how they can access the SSA website from our lab.

This week we discussed:

Internet Law, keyboard commands, trouble-shooting tips, DOS, amplitude/frequency modulation, USB ports and hubs.

Also, we contacted the NYC Parks Dept. for list of parks offering wireless fidelity.

March 30, 2010 Discussion

2010-03-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

Our Class Discussion:

Difference between Computer and the Internet
Difference between Desktop and Laptop Computers
Parts of the Desktop Computer
Bits, Bytes, Hertz--Kilo-, Mega-, Giga-
Search Engines

Sites Visited:

Happy Students at HICAP

2010-03-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

HICAP Opening a Success!

2010-03-19T10:04:00.000-07:00

Beginning: Tuesday, March 30, 2010

HICAP Lab

will be OPEN every

Tuesday & Thursday

from

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Instruction

from

1:30pm - 2:30pm

March 18, 2010 HICAP Lab Opening

2010-03-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

Walker, wheelchair, cane, gurney or by foot
All are welcome!
to the
Harlem Internet Computer Access Program

Explore this opportunity to be immersed in information about the

latest technological advancements in computers and the

Internet in a hands-on, stress-free envirnoment
&
Access the Internet
Establish an e-mail address
Source resources via the Internet
View current health and longevity data
Correspond with loved ones and much more!

OPENING & REGISTRATION
Thursday, March 18th, 2010

from 1 pm - 3 pm
at
The Gen. Chauncey Hooper Towers
10 West 138th Street
Harlem, USA 10037
*
FREE OF CHARGE

Classes begin March 30 - June 24 Graduation Celebration
Classes resume September 14, 2010

This project was made possible in part through a donation from the Internet Society

and Council Inez Dickens through Department of the Aging

Setting Up HICAP Lab

2010-03-13T11:58:00.000-08:00

Joly McFie of ISOC wrote:

2010-02-23T08:32:00.000-08:00

Harlem Internet Computer Access Project - Now christened with the handy acronym HICAP - Merle Bush's ISOC funded effort to bring Internet literacy to seniors in Harlem is on track,and we are just in the process of purchasing the first round of hardware. Something she is needing are good ergonomic & comfortable chairs that are suitable for her client. If you know of any going spare, or any other good quality equipment, particularly laptops -please feel free to get in touch direct.

http://isoc-ny.org/wiki/The_Harlem_Computer/Internet_Access_Programme

Preparing for Report

2010-02-22T16:06:00.001-08:00

Today technician installed router and software resulting in excellent signal in HICAP lab.

Would like to include in our March Report that we have lab up and running, preparing for the HICAP Open House and Registration on March 5th at the latest.

Currently compiling list of interested senior citizen from the Harlem community to participate.

Preparing invitation and flyer with date T/B/A.

Met with Richard Lobosky about Muratek prices and specs.