Tech Comes to RFArea REA

On Wednesday, May 20, 2015, Mary-Alice Muraski, Associate Professor of Computer Sciences at UW-River Falls, and Kathleen Drecktrah, retired technical and publications program assistant at UWRF, spoke to our group about personal technology and Internet safety and security.

Kathleen Drecktrah and Mary-Alice Muraski

They brought with them an array of devices--from cellphones to tablets to to reading devices to laptops--and explained their uses and functions.  They also showed us watches that recorded steps, heart rates, and stairs climbed.  They had an array of chargers and adapters (for international travel, for instance), and "hotspot" wireless devices.

Ruth Wood speaking to RFArea members:  Ramona Raehsler,
Larry Harred, Charles Owen, Jane Harred, Sue Beckham,
Cheryl Maplethorpe, and Dick Beckham

Both Mary-Alice and Kathy explained the different operating systems of computers--Apple platforms available in iPhones, iPads, and Macbook computers- Windows platforms available in PCs, and Android systems in different models of cellphones.

Mary-Alice displayed both Kindle and Nook readers for those who like easily portable reading materials.  Kathy showed how Kindle apps can be installed on iPads and other tablets or on telephones so that you can also read books on those devices.

Ruth Wood (back turned), Jeanette Potts, Glenn Potts, Bernie
Brohaugh, Karen Brohaugh, and Ramona Raehsler

One point both speakers emphasized was the importance of online security.  They spoke about changing passwords fairly regularly and not to have your devices "remember" your passwords in case you were to lose those devices or have them stolen.

We want to thank Kathy and Mary-Alice for a very informative, interesting, and fun presentation.