Case studies

Marathon Runner Catches Internet Bug

When someone asked Frank Foley, 59, if they could send him an email at work, he panicked! But it made him decide to do something about his fear of the internet once and for all.

Frank, a father of five from Hall Green, Birmingham admits: "I used to break into a cold sweat when I thought about emails or using the internet. I don't know why, but I just panicked about using any kind of technology."

Luckily for Frank, at the same time as being asked to receive an email, he also saw an advert for myguide at his local UK online centre - a new service designed to make getting onto the internet easy.

He says: "myguide sounded like the perfect thing for me, and because it's completely free I thought 'what have I got to lose?' To my surprise, the myguide session was a hoot! I really enjoyed it. The tutor was really friendly, he wasn't patronising, but he recognised I needed the absolute basics to start me off.

"With computers and the internet, I used to feel like I was in a foreign country with no map, but with myguide I feel like suddenly I've been given a map! Just two weeks ago I didn't even know www meant 'world wide web', let alone what a website or an email actually was! Now I'm happily surfing the internet by myself, and I'm looking forward to receiving that email rather than dreading it.

"The thing is that the internet is everywhere these days - and if you're not using it you're missing out. For instance, I'm going to be 60 in March, and I thought I'd set myself a challenge and run the London Marathon this year. They posted me a welcome pack with all kinds of useful tips about training, what to wear, how to avoid injuries, even how to join a support group for other new runners. Unfortunately most of the tips directed you to the internet to find out more!

"Thanks to myguide, I'm now going to be able to follow the advice and look up more information. And actually, it's going to save me a lot of time, effort and hassle, because I can do everything I need to from the comfort of the computer!"

"To anyone nervous of trying the internet, I'd say just give it a go. It's much more straightforward than you think. If someone like me can understand it, anyone can!"

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