Tag: Technology

Why Am I Excited About WordCamp?

When I retired in April 2016, I made a commitment to keep learning – to keep the old brain-cogs turning. As the old adage goes “If you don’t use it, you’ll lost it!”. And there is enough research to suggest there’s a lot of truth in that saying. So why am I excited about WordCamp?

What is WordCamp?

WordCamp is a weekend of learning – about all things WordPress and websites.

WordCamp Brisbane is an event I start looking forward to, the day after the previous one ends.

Maureen Durney

Towards the end of 2015, in preparation for retirement, I decided to build a website. My son, who is a busy website developer, assured me it was so easy anyone could do it.

He was right!

I wanted a blog website – before I even knew what a blog was. Everyone was talking about blogs – and it seemed that everyone had a blog. I wanted one, too.

It was so easy!

WordPress guides you every step of the way.

Will that be .com or .org?

My first website is Havandra.wordpress.com, and it was built on the WordPress.com platform. This is where I recommend any new website builder should start. The .com version of WordPress allows you to build a site without putting your hand in your pocket – ever! That’s what I love about WordPress!

Havandra.wordpress.com

Trust me, I had no idea what I was doing when I started the site, but it was so easy. I made up the name ‘Havandra’, but I’ve since found out it is a Malagasy word meaning ‘hail’ – as in the weather phenomenon – ‘hail’. Perhaps I should have Googled it first… but I still like the name.

The big difference between the two sites is in the address of your website. The .com (free) version adds .wordpress.com to the name of your site -(havandra.wordpress.com).

The .org version gives you an easier address (MountainView-Living.com or MaureenDurney.com), but you need to buy your domain name and pay for hosting. Hosting is the part that puts your site on the Internet so people can find it. There are inexpensive ways of covering these, but I still think the free version is the best way to get started.

A WordPress.org site

Why am I excited about WordCamp Brisbane 2019?

Because the post-career, retirement learning phase of my life kicks into high gear after two days of WordCamp, learning about WordPress. The rooms are buzzing with enthusiastic website owners and those aspiring to be. The talks cater for beginners and the experienced, and sponsors are standing by to answer questions.

  • Some of the sponsors from WordCamp Brisbane 2018

There are plenty of opportunities to network with others, make friends for life, and catch up with old friends. Oh, and there’s lots of swag. That’s tech-talk for freebies.

And lots of real Coffee!

So, what does WordCamp 2019 have to do with Mountain View?

Everything!

Pretty soon we’ll have the Community Centre set up with WiFi and computers. You can have technology lessons, access the Internet, and check your emails. Then we can get you started on building your own website. And by the time WordCamp Brisbane 2020 is announced, you’ll be excited too.

So, what are you waiting for?

If I can figure out how to build a website with WordPress, so can you!

Was It Worth It?

Staging a Seniors Expo as part of the NSW Seniors Festival, demands a reasonable amount of time and brain-power – especially the brain-power. But – by putting our collective heads and shoulders together, we did it. Today was the day we opened our doors and our hearts, to show off where we live, and what we do. Was it worth it?

You had better believe it!

Hours before the official start time, the room was buzzing with presenters and talented residents, setting up their displays.

I don’t think I was the only one who was a little nervous at the start of the day. Would anyone show up – would it all work – would it be worth it?

Severe weather warnings of Cyclone Oma looming over the coast, didn’t help.

By noon, the answer was crystal clear.

Not only was it worth it, but it exceeded most expectations. Due to start at 11.30, people congregated around tables long before then. Once their table was set up, presenters circled the room, greeted other presenters, and exchanged comments and information.

The buzz got louder…

Visitors mingled, and presenters talked about the services they could offer seniors. Talented residents and friends proudly showed off their labours of love. It was a great feeling to sit back and watch the success of the Seniors Expo, as it happened around us.

Christine’s fantastic bookmarks and cards, made with flowers that grow here in our beautiful gardens. Tapestries; card-making; technology displays; quilts; knitting; wood-carving; paintings; clocks; jewellery – all made by our talented residents. All we need to do now is convince these talented people to teach the rest of us.

(Photos courtesy of W. Powell)

So, what else happened today?

The creative talent was phenomenal, but what impressed me the most, was the level of support the residents of Mountain View offered those who were visiting. Nothing was too much trouble to ensure questions were answered, and appropriate connections and introductions were made.

Tireless workers provided food to sustain visitors, residents and presenters. Liquid refreshments rehydrated them. Nobody seemed flustered or bothered by the amount of work that goes into preparing enough food to sustain hungry crowds. It just happened, seemingly effortlessly.

The chefs who demonstrated how quickly and easily you can create a nutritious meal, had a captive audience – and the food smelled divine.

It made me even more proud to be part of Mountain View – my retirement community. Not that you have to be retired to live here – you don’t. As long as you have celebrated fifty-five years of life – you qualify to be part of this great community.

Oh, and you don’t need any special talent to live here. We have plenty of teachers who can take you from ‘I’d love to be able to do that’, to ‘Wow, look what I’ve created!’. Trust me, I know. I signed up for Julia’s quilting class and after just one lesson, my new quilt is only weeks, and a lot of stitches away.

It’s the sense of belonging to a supportive extended family that makes living at Mountain View so special. And it is the combined effort of everyone that made the difference.

Thank you to everyone who visited and/or presented at the Aveo Mountain View Seniors Expo.

Was it worth it?

You bet it was!