Outdated. Antiquated Technology in T.V
 

Today began with an attempt to register for a class at The Lifelong Learning College. The "College" needs to learn that it is 2013, not 1980. There are two ways to register: Call the college's one number (line busy for the first three hours, so far) or take your registration personally to the office. There are over 110,000 here and online registration is NOT AVAILABLE. And... I am still amazed there is no WIFI at the Neighborhood Rec Centers. Unbelievable .

OP Iam inclined to agree---I do think TV could use a shot of technology! However, Publix could use some self checkout lanes too---at least for those with 10 items or less.

True story: Last winter while standing in line I said something to one of the managers about self checkout lanes---he actually said that seniors didn't know how to use them--that it had been tried before. Unbelievable! Sorry didn't mean to pirate your Thread but maybe that has something to do with the thinking about on-line registering?

He's absolutely correct. Ever stood and watched the self checkout lanes at Wal-mart?

I agree. These days you have the option to register for almost everything online. I'd love to see village-wide wifi available.

Your kidding aren't you. Self checkout isn't rocket science. Maybe the first time it's a little slow but..... :posting:

Yes, but my post is ONLY about Rec Centers and The Lifelong Learning College, not the businesses and chains outside TV. I think most residents own computers, and when given a chance, they use their devices for convenience. Can you imagine a college or university where this antiquated, outdated method would be used to register students ? Let's keep this thread for those who would like to comment on the need for more wifi areas in The Villages proper, as well as the College.

Edited to allow thread to stay on topic.

If you get your wallet out, you can have just about anything. That would be an additional charge in your amenity fees and I, personally, don't think going to the Regional Rec Centers in The Beautiful Villages is too much of a hardship to use WIFI.

I think some people are on Talk of The Villages to change the subject... Look, it is not about Publix or the Post Office, it is about The Villages and their antiquated technology.... Now you can redirect these comments off on a tangent, but the bottom line is that TV could easily install wifi in every Rec Center and Town Square and install software at The Learning College and it has NOT been done .

At an additional cost to the residents, correct?

Peachie. Do you work for TV in public relations? The neighborhood rec centers could swipe your card so easily if they had wifi. Also Grandparents would not have to stand in line 2 plus hours in the summer for activities for their grandchildren. Give me a break. The cost would be absolutely minimal. I am tired of hearing excuses as to why we have to jam up the Regional centers for things like these .

Are you talking about older people again?

I tend to agree with the OP.... TV seems to be stuck in [I'll give them the benefit of the doubt] 90's technology. You can see in the AM radio station, that they refuse to steam online and the local paper that is "minimally" available online.

The app they developed for the squares is better than nothing, but...

I don't believe installing WiFi in the Rec. Centers & the Squares would be a big deal. Installing TV wide WiFi would be a huge deal. These types of networks (mesh networks) are very expensive to install and maintain.

TV needs to hire a couple 20 somethings to direct their technology department...

No, it's more like many of us are on retiree incomes and have seen many of our expenses shoot up this year and I would sooner wait patiently in line with my grandchildren than see amenity fees keep spiraling up for all the extras that could be added. Guess I'm too frugal for your tastes, eh? :icon_wink:

If it's any consolation, I do think the Learning College should upgrade.

Sorry, I will edit my post.

I didn't find it to be off topic at all. You were simply offering a possible reason as to why they may not have online registration.

I don't think he's kidding. I use self checkout whenever possible and I can't believe some of the people I see in front of me. If they don't know how to use it, they shouldn't get in that line.

But, then, how are they supposed to learn to use it?

Which brings up the point as to how bad the scanners that are used to scan your ID card in the rec centers. I would guess that half the time they are not working at all and the rest of the time cards have to be scanned three, four, five times. There is certainly better technology out there that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

Why would anyone want to drive to a rec center to go online? If you use the internet that infrequently, dial up service is virtually free.

Not to mention there are several restaurants in The Villages with free wifi. Just google "free wifi".

As far as the rest of the technology concerns, those of us who use the internet on a daily basis for both work and play tend to forget that although most seniors use email on and off, many are not yet comfortable with putting out personal information online. As the demand grows, I am sure we will see more online access to TV amenities and entertainment.

This could happen sooner if a group of tech savvy Villagers offered to provide the software for free.

If not, I know of a Canadian company that is supposed to be REALLY knowledgeable on setting up intricate websites!:1rotfl:

There are usually people there to help you, but most of them are pretty intuitive. You simply follow the instructions on the screen.

I know Peachie and she doesn't work for anybody.

She doesn't serve on Ghetto pool committees but man she can tell it like it is.

The Internet Technology does need to be updated here in The Villages and it just amazes me to pieces that they have had such enormous success the "old fashioned way". The decision makers on staff may not be computer geeks and I am sure they recognize it. I keep waiting for someone to join them that they TRUST to update their technology.

I find that everything unfolds around here in the most interesting way and part of my joy of living here is watching it. You think it can't get better and it does. This was a MUCH smaller enterprise just ten-twelve years ago and you are right to be thinking that their internet technology should be up to par with everything else they do.

But my money again is on The Morses.

It will come.

I hear they are kinda busy right now. Best to contact them next year, or the year after, or maybe 2016. :thumbup:

The system they are using now to register at Lifelong Learning Center will not change anytime soon, IMO, as it would discriminate against anyone not having or using a computer to sign up. The powers-to-be must make it accessible to all on an equal footing, not allowing those with a computer to fill up the classes, while others are excluded.

I think you should take your concerns to the source. Not sure what you are accomplishing by posting here? Hey, you never know they might actually listen to what you have to say. Right?
The Villages Lifelong Learning College enrichment classes for adults.

Excellent thought! :BigApplause:

I thought so too.

No one would be excluded. Those without a computer could still call up or do a walk in registration.

But by the time a person gets thru on the phone or takes the time to drive over - computer registrations might have filled up the class - no?

And I am tired of reading posts that want to increase my amenity fee with a charge to wi-fi the villages! Snowbirds already essentially 'subsidize' amenities for everyone - no need to pay for more that we don't use.

You people that are worried about amenity fees increasing by installing inexpensive software or a wifi connection at a rec center for under &100. Just crack me up. You would rather hire more people to type up registrations, or wait in line until, like last year, people collapsed in the heat waiting in line to register your grandchildren for summer activities. With your worrying about amenity fees, i think the lack of tech would increase, rather than decrease costs, but, if your looking for an excuse NOT to operate modernly and efficiently, hey, it's as good as any excuse!

I hate it when a post starts with "you people".

I think it could be improved but we don't vote here. This is a CDD so all of this is just air being exchanged. Put it in the survey.

It isn't THAT bad.

We all have indoor plumbing.

Your right and I was wrong
 

OP your right and I was wrong. I shouldn't use a self-checkout illustration to make a point about not everyone in TV having even minimum computer skills.

More and more seniors everyday are getting more computer literate. Even old' Justjim!

I would be willing to bet that some of the reluctance to change registration processes and such is due to issues they have encountered at places like Citizens First. Everytime they have rolled out changes in the online banking, they are flooded with issues. Unfortunately, not everone with a computer has the ability to adapt to the changes. While I think it would make a world of sense, it's not my call. Now in response to those that think it wouldn't be fair, why is the tee time system fair? Kind of works on the same principal. I would think that if more folks could sign up for classes at the LLLC online, there would be fewer phone calls. Thus, everyone would get a shot. I have no dog in this hunt so I really don't care.

No, that is not so. It wouldn't be any different than the golf reservation system they have in place now. I would think most people make a phone call or would register online, rather than traveling over to the college anyways.

perhaps if what you think is true, registration would have changed by now?

does the golf ressie system provide for some options whereas the college course ressie does not?

i don't use the golf ressie system so that's why i'm asking...but i do sign up for llc via the phone or in-person - no hardship there for me.

I do feel sorry for those who paid big dollars for a golf course homesite only to have an outhouse planted directly in their view.

How did you get indoor plumbing??!! Oh, I forgot...you're CONNECTED!:bowdown:

The fax section on this form did make me chuckle a bit. I didn't know anybody faxed anything any more. Not sure I would feel comfortable with cc number on something being sent that way.