Never Mind the Generation Gap
Barbara Vance
Grandmother
Surrey, BC, Canada
Squidoo: Why did you decide to build lenses with Squidoo?
Barbara: I saw it as an opportunity to write about my many passions. I liked the fact that I could just jump right in and have fun right away without going through the tedious part of personal web page building, which is often restrictive because of the size allowed with the host (unless, of course, you are prepared to pay monthly fees, etc.) I love the concept of Squidoo because it gives me the opportunity to express all my interests! And because of that freedom, I am having so much fun on Squidoo. With the added bonus that it's free!
S: How did you decide what to make your lenses about?
B: As you encourage at Squidoo: Write and build your lens around what you know. I know how to be a grandmother. I love sharing my other passions with my grandchildren and children in general. I am developing my lenses with that over-all theme in mind. So the topics of my lenses reflect me and my life as it is now. I have never been able to do that before -- as I was always confined to one topic or maybe two. Now the boundries/restictions have been taken away and I feel like I am flying free.
S: Do you maintain a web site or blog otherwise?
B: Yes, I have two small genealogy web sites and have tried various others over the years, but I always get frustrated at the space restrictions. (I can't afford to pay for unlimited space.) I have tried blogging, but I don't find it as exciting as Squidoo.
S: What have you done with your lenses that you can't do elsewhere?
B: I can quickly expand my topics and edit them constantly without hassle. I love the easy module of Amazon to work with so I can add products as my theme is developed. I love the freedom that the modules give me... I like moving them around and being able to edit them without disrupting the whole lens.
S: What advice or ideas would you offer other lensmasters?
B: Have fun! Try new ideas, and that will open more doors for you to explore.
S: What do you think Squidoo and making lenses offers seniors?
B: I live in a seniors complex and have talked to some seniors, and most feel the technology is beyond them. I think Squidoo offers them the opportunity to have a "say" on the web without having to learn alot of jargon that would be foriegn to them. I talked to our Rec. Director today, and she has plans of putting in a computer with and Internet connection in the common area of our on-site library. I have already volunteered to help anyone who wants to learn about making a lens on Squidoo.
For those seniors who are already enjoying the internet, I think Squidoo is perfect for them to express their passions and memories. What seniors love to do is regularly walk down memory lane. Squidoo will give them that opportunity, and all of us will benefit from the journey. I feel it is an area that needs to be expanded into as our seniors are a very important resource for all generations to come.
