Tech Tools to use Now!

As many of us continue the stay-at-home mode of operation (by choice or mandate), now is the time to think about how your tech tools can help us.  I've received several questions this past week beginning with "How can I/What's the best way.......?" So let me share some of my recommendations:

1)  Thank heavens we have tools to help us stay in touch with friends and family! For video chatting, all of the apps below allow multiple users and most will work on any device

• FaceTime - Apple devices
• Skype - multi-platform
• Facebook video chat (or FB Messenger) - multi-platform
• Zoom - multi-platform; we are using this for our Sunday School class to continue meeting and doing our lessons weekly; last Sunday we had 15 people successfully join the session and most of them are older than me!  It is my new favorite tool as I get ready to teach my university "Computing for Seniors" class online rather than in person.  Zoom has wonderful tutorials and if you are in a group, only one person needs to create an account and then send the session link to everyone else in the group.  The free version allows for 40-minute sessions, but if you need longer, you would just end the session and reconnect at the end of that time.  

2)  Now is the time to switch to "contactless payment" solutions.  They allow you to use your phone or watch to pay at the store or online WITHOUT you having to use the touchpad at the store's checkout. We've used Apple Pay for the past year because it is safer than using our credit card.  The merchant never has your credit card number; Apple generates a different account number for each transaction.

• Apple Pay - Apple devices
• Google Pay - Android devices
• Venmo - all devices

3) Schedule a pick up or delivery for your groceries.  I'm so thankful we began using Walmart Pickup last fall (not many options here in our town).  I place the order online and then at the selected time, we simply pull up in our car and the groceries are placed in our car.  Now......in the past several weeks, items have been limited or are out of stock and pickup times have been shortened.  But, it still keeps us out of the store.  You may want to checkout these options:
Walmart Pickup - order online or with the Grocery app
Instacart
Your local grocery may have their own pickup/delivery service

4) Start checking out books digitally and read them on your phone, tablet, Kindle, or computer.  These are the apps I use. Registration will require your library card number and in the state of Kansas, we also have a State of Kansas library card available for free that allows additional access.
Libby (newer version of Overdrive; I think it is easier to use)
Overdrive 
CloudLibrary

If you want to learn how to use any new tools, the links I provided will take you to a website where you can learn more.  If you need more help, let me know.

If there are tools you are presently using that you think others might find beneficial, please share.

Use this week to learn and grow in your knowledge of tools that can help you navigate the next few months.  Consider limiting your time on digital news sources; none of us need the anxiety produced by that activity! 
Need some encouragement?  Enjoy this video from Portugal that our older son shared with us a few days ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70tcUNgd8IM&feature=youtu.be