Why is there so little activity on this board

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Absolutely agree! I've been a "computer geek" since 1980, and I mean a serious one. We had a 300 baud modem in our house that year so I could work at home remotely with our new baby. Been using the internet since about 1981 long before people even understood what it was.

 

So don't talk about "old people" being computer illiterate. 20 years ago, yes, but not now.

[WineCountryCruiser]

Absolutely agree! I've been a "computer geek" since 1980, and I mean a serious one. We had a 300 baud modem in our house that year so I could work at home remotely with our new baby. Been using the internet since about 1981 long before people even understood what it was.

 

So don't talk about "old people" being computer illiterate. 20 years ago, yes, but not now.

 

Thanks Wendy. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one out there. I remember the 300 baud modems and, working for the U.S. Government, I was involved with the Internet before it was the Internet (it was called the ARPANet back then -- for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration that originally supported its development).

 

I think that threads like this one are valuable to those of us over 55 because we often have a somewhat different perspective on things than younger cruisers.

 

Craig

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Yes, well my first computing system was Berkeley UNIX, V6 I think. We called it the "net" in those days, and it involved tcp/ip and those long, long email addresses!

[Musicus]

At this stage, the computer is an essential adjunct to my daily life. Not only am I in touch with dozens of cyberfriends in many countries, but I do all my banking and planning on line, as you will see from the following email I sent to my friends a few weeks ago.

 

 

 

Dear friends,

 

come the middle of September, you’ll not get any more forwardings from me and I’ll ask you to take me off your mailing list, if I happen to be on it. From that time onwards and for at least one entire year, my internet access will be severely restricted, although I hope to stay in touch with many friends on a personal level.

 

But let me explain…

 

Having outlived my wife, many close friends and. with exception of my son, all my family, I’ve reached the age where assisted

living with its amenities looms large. I visited several such facilities but despite comfortable lodgings, the often quite pleasant surroundings exude a depressing “Waiting for God” feeling for me when I see some of the residents. I think that I am not ready for this- yet.

After my thoroughly enjoyable 14-day Panama Canal cruise over Christmas/New Years (my second cruise experience), I began to think of cruise ships as a viable alternative.

A comfortable room with all amenities, from Satellite TV,

air conditioning to private bath (and no more making the bed each morning, cleaning room and bath, changing linen); a choice of restaurants with fabulous menus (goodbye TV Dinners or having to cook and then eat alone); nightly Broadway Class entertainment in a luxurious theater (beats lousy TV fare); swimming pools, jacuzzis, well equipped gym and a medical facility complete with doctor and nurse - all a short walk away; a well stocked library and lecures, a casino, bars and interesting people to meet - and to top it all off, travel to places you would never have seen otherwise -- all in all, what more could you want?

For many months I have been working on a plan to spend one year on a cruise ship, which entailed arduous computer research covering cruise lines, their ships and itineraries (which often were hard to find for more than a few months) and finally, costs!

To my chagrin I discovered that I would be faced with a single supplement varying between 50% and 100% of the double occupancy rate, which is the industry’s standard and I knew then that I would have to stretch my budget limitation by at least $10,000

to get anywhere near to my goal.

 

I am happy to report that I finally succeeded in finding the right Line, ship, itinerary and price (which however will mean that I’ll spend more of my son’s inheritance…) and I will leave on MSC's "Poesia"

October 9 at Quebec City, returning to there October 15, 2011.

Oh yes, I forgot to tell you: I was born February 9, 1917.

 

Attached is my itinerary. It certainly would be nice if some of you would decide to take one or two of the cruise legs and we would see each other! And should you be alone, don’t forget that my stateroom has twin beds! Sharing the stateroom with me will save you a lot of money and if I am lucky and you are female, be assured that I will be on my best gentlemanly behavior!

 

Ahoy!

 

Egon aka "Musicus" (I am!)

 

44egon44@gmail.com

[WineCountryCruiser]

At this stage, the computer is an essential adjunct to my daily life. Not only am I in touch with dozens of cyberfriends in many countries, but I do all my banking and planning on line, as you will see from the following email I sent to my friends a few weeks ago.

 

 

 

Dear friends,

 

come the middle of September, you’ll not get any more forwardings from me and I’ll ask you to take me off your mailing list, if I happen to be on it. From that time onwards and for at least one entire year, my internet access will be severely restricted, although I hope to stay in touch with many friends on a personal level.

 

But let me explain…

 

Having outlived my wife, many close friends and. with exception of my son, all my family, I’ve reached the age where assisted

living with its amenities looms large. I visited several such facilities but despite comfortable lodgings, the often quite pleasant surroundings exude a depressing “Waiting for God” feeling for me when I see some of the residents. I think that I am not ready for this- yet.

After my thoroughly enjoyable 14-day Panama Canal cruise over Christmas/New Years (my second cruise experience), I began to think of cruise ships as a viable alternative.

A comfortable room with all amenities, from Satellite TV,

air conditioning to private bath (and no more making the bed each morning, cleaning room and bath, changing linen); a choice of restaurants with fabulous menus (goodbye TV Dinners or having to cook and then eat alone); nightly Broadway Class entertainment in a luxurious theater (beats lousy TV fare); swimming pools, jacuzzis, well equipped gym and a medical facility complete with doctor and nurse - all a short walk away; a well stocked library and lecures, a casino, bars and interesting people to meet - and to top it all off, travel to places you would never have seen otherwise -- all in all, what more could you want?

For many months I have been working on a plan to spend one year on a cruise ship, which entailed arduous computer research covering cruise lines, their ships and itineraries (which often were hard to find for more than a few months) and finally, costs!

To my chagrin I discovered that I would be faced with a single supplement varying between 50% and 100% of the double occupancy rate, which is the industry’s standard and I knew then that I would have to stretch my budget limitation by at least $10,000

to get anywhere near to my goal.

 

I am happy to report that I finally succeeded in finding the right Line, ship, itinerary and price (which however will mean that I’ll spend more of my son’s inheritance…) and I will leave on MSC's "Poesia"

October 9 at Quebec City, returning to there October 15, 2011.

Oh yes, I forgot to tell you: I was born February 9, 1917.

 

Attached is my itinerary. It certainly would be nice if some of you would decide to take one or two of the cruise legs and we would see each other! And should you be alone, don’t forget that my stateroom has twin beds! Sharing the stateroom with me will save you a lot of money and if I am lucky and you are female, be assured that I will be on my best gentlemanly behavior!

 

Ahoy!

 

Egon aka "Musicus" (I am!)

 

44egon44@gmail.com

 

Thank you Egon. What a wonderful post. Congratulations on arranging your year aboard a cruise ship. I'm sure that you will have a most rewarding experience. And, with computers available onboard, I'm sure you'll continue to stay in touch with your friends. Yours is a most inspiring story. Thanks for sharing.

 

Craig

[MMDown Under]

Egon, What an inspiration you are.

 

I only wish I was still going to be on Poesia in October, when you embark for your year's adventure.

 

Wishing you good health, happy sailings and lots of wonderful friendships.

[Sominex]

At this stage, the computer is an essential adjunct to my daily life. Not only am I in touch with dozens of cyberfriends in many countries, but I do all my banking and planning on line, as you will see from the following email I sent to my friends a few weeks ago.

 

Dear Musicus; unless I'm missing something I don't see your attached itinerary and I'm curious about it. Could you attach it again.

Thanks,

Som

[clackey]

Yes, well my first computing system was Berkeley UNIX, V6 I think. We called it the "net" in those days, and it involved tcp/ip and those long, long email addresses!

My first was a Timex. :eek: I'm not kidding. A man that I was doing electrical work for, gave it to me. It was only good for games programmed on a cassette, but it was a computer none the less. I wish that I had kept it. It is probably a collectors item now.:(

[WineCountryCruiser]

My first was a Timex. :eek: I'm not kidding. A man that I was doing electrical work for, gave it to me. It was only good for games programmed on a cassette, but it was a computer none the less. I wish that I had kept it. It is probably a collectors item now.:(

 

My first computer was a Compaq "luggable" that looked like a large cream-colored suitcase. It had two 5-1/2" floppy disk drives and a 6-inch green-screen display. I still have it and am pretty sure that it still works!

 

Craig

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

I have no idea

[Gloria Mundi]

I think that it is because most old people are not computer literate. Then there are those who dislike change. (That is the way their parents did it and that is how they are going to do it). I just gave my closest friend my old computer. It is his first one and he just turned 59.:eek:

 

I started learning how to program in Fortran a day after my 19th birthday. It was 1972. :D I created my first 2 Web sites in 1997. I can't imagine travel planning without the Internet.

 

The 55+ group varies just as widely as any other on this Board. We probably have more differences than similarities, which could be why people who qualify don't visit often.

[Kinkacruiser]

I pop in from time to time and see the same threads (though this one is new). I honestly can't see why it's still here. Seniors discounts and travel insurance are the only topics that come to mind.

[ssgirl54]

I have wondered the same thing...........I am over 55 and people are always amazed..........it is not our parents age..........some of us are starting new adventures, new jobs, new relationships..........if 55 is over the hill then there is a whole lot of us over that hill............and we are enjoying life........I jump out of airplanes, and I did not see an age limit for that.........it is about being healthy enough...........and at any age you might not be healthy enough for something....so age has nothing to do with it.............enjoy..........

[Hollywood Traveler]

I have wondered the same thing...........I am over 55 and people are always amazed..........it is not our parents age..........some of us are starting new adventures, new jobs, new relationships..........if 55 is over the hill then there is a whole lot of us over that hill............and we are enjoying life........I jump out of airplanes, and I did not see an age limit for that.........it is about being healthy enough...........and at any age you might not be healthy enough for something....so age has nothing to do with it.............enjoy..........

Well said. Thanks.

[sweetcupcakegrl]

Seems a huge number or cruisers are over 55 but I seldom see a lot of activity here.

 

 

i guess that everyone is dead!:confused:

[Monopoly2]

i guess that everyone is dead!:confused:

 

 

I have a thread on NCL board/roll call which I started last Sept, 2010

My sailing is less than 70 days and that thread/board is very very slow

to dead :mad:

 

I guess its up to who wants to chat on a board :eek:

[ssgirl54]

I looked here to see what it was all about....I am 50 something and proud of it...............age is a number often a mental number......I find if you believe something long enough it will be so..........so if you think 50 something is over the hill...then it will be.......if you see it as just another wonderful number with experiences and life then it will be............I know people who at 40 believe they are old.......too bad for them.....I will be the little lady at 90 with high heels and a red walker.......going down fighting....age is just a number.........after ten they are are all double digits until 100....so live, love.....enjoy....:p

[Bars7816]

It's the title of the thread! We need a Name This Thread discussion.

[Honeybearhollow]

Just today discovered this board. Didn't occur to me that there might be an over 50 board. It is a great idea. It is nice to find a board where there are not put down comments about older people.

[LeeBe]

Just because I post here, I make no admissions to any age whatsoever;):D!

[Happy ks]

I've been on CC for years longer than my register date and to be honest with you, I just now noticed this board!

 

I kind of see almost no point to it, other than perhaps posting about current senior discounts.

 

I've been on CC so long I remember getting excited that we were finally eligible for my husbands discount. Now not only am I eligible as well, I'm on the other side. A few short years from now and I'll be one of those 60 year olds that young cruisers complain about. The good part is, of course we'll have more time to cruise than them and hopefully the means. I can't wait to be able to drop everything and take advantage of last minute specials when most cant go!

[MMDown Under]

Egon, What an inspiration you are.

 

I only wish I was still going to be on Poesia in October, when you embark for your year's adventure.

 

Wishing you good health, happy sailings and lots of wonderful friendships.

 

As it is now October, 2011, I'd love to hear whether you enjoyed your year on Poesia, Egon.

 

Did anyone come across Egon on Poesia on their travels?

[Road Pirate]

ummmm yawn. Oh, sorry, I was napping. Just kidding.

I've stopped by here a couple of times and find that there are very few questions posted that might be a concern of those who may remember the Eisenhower administration. LOL.

I think many of us like to meet people of all ages but it is nice to converse with those who know what your comment means, or what that singers name was. So it may be just a matter of feeling comfortable talking with those close to your own generation. On excursions it is more relaxing to not to be the only one walking a bit slower. As we tend to be more aware of things around us we will take that extra picture.

I agree that the roll call for your cruise is the best place to go, and that assigned seating in the dinning room is prefered. We tried anytime dinning and it didn't work out.