Not all email accounts are created the same...

Most of you probably have an email account by now. If you don't, then you really need to roll up your shirt sleeves and start digging into the digital age. Seriously, where have you been?

Even if you already have an email account, it may be one that you signed up for a 10 years ago and haven't changed it since.

Change is good. In this case, very good.

I use Gmail. Should YOU use it? That's entirely up to you and what you want out of your email account. Hotmail is a good alternative if you are a Microsoft fan, however I find that Gmail is largely superior in keeping spam emails out of your inbox.

It can also sync up with Microsoft Outlook, if you have and use Outlook already.

Another advantage to having a Gmail account is that your account can be used across multipleGoogle products which, when combined, can provide you with a one-stop shopping center for most of your internet needs. More on that later, however.

For now, let's start with how to set up a Gmail account. Did I mention that it was free?

Step 1: Delete everything in your URL address field. For those that don't know what that is, it's the box where you type an internet address (e.g. https://www.Amazon.com).

Step 2: Type in the word Gmail and then hold down the CTRL key and press enter. The complete URL for Gmail should auto fill and take you directly to the correct page. By the way CTRL+Enter is the shortcut to filling out an internet address. You can do this with any address that has .com in it. Or, just go here Gmail Account Page.

Step 3: Select the Create an account button in the lower right of the screen.

Step 4: Enter in the required account information and click the I accept. Create my account button. Play around with it and take a look.

Done. It's that easy! You can now log in and read the introduction email that is sitting in your inbox.

Later on I'll cover the various features of Gmail, but for now I just want to get you started because this Gmail account will come in handy later on. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.

If you have any questions about this post, or about setting up a Gmail account, please feel free to post or email me.

Next week: Creating and setting up a Facebook account. If your granddaughter can do it, then so can you.

The first step is not always the hardest...

The world of technology is changing all the time. It can change dramatically from one week to the next. Cell phones, computers, the Internet and even home entertainment technology are some of the things that often evolve too fast to keep up with.

The newer generations of people are finding commonplace the things that, to some of you, can sometimes not only be the marvels of a new age, but can also be intimidating to use. What new technology some of you may struggle with, others around you are easily adopting and adapting to in an ever-changing world.

As you watch your more tech-savvy family members and friends drift further and further into an ocean of new technology, you can sometimes find yourself lost at sea.

Welcome to your digital life jacket.

Each of the posts here will be a mini-tutorial on various technologies or technology-related items, like email or applications that work with or via the Internet like Facebook.

I will start off with some of the basics; mostly just how to get started. Later, I will expand upon the basics and show you how to fine-tune your experience and hopefully surprise your more technological acquaintances.

If there is something specific you would like to know more about or how to do, then feel free to email me via the blog. I'll do my best to answer every one that I can.

Full credit for this blog goes to my parents' friend Deb, who thought up the idea over dinner.

Here you go Deb. Enjoy.