Technology can be baffling.
Even the most tech-savvy folk among us, reared in the digital age, have likely encountered an issue they couldn’t solve.
That’s where the LV Digital Shed comes in.
Operating out of the Traralgon VRI hall for the past three years, the volunteer-run organisation is a one-stop shop for technological problem-solving.
The Traralgon Neighbourhood Learning House initiative won the 2014 ‘learn local innovation in digital literacy award’ and continues to offer a helping hand every Friday from 10am to 3pm.
LV Digital Shed project manager Joh Lyons said the operation catered to the whole spectrum of technology users, from luddites to whiz kids.
“Everyone uses their internet or technology in their own way,” Ms Lyons said.
“We’ve helped a variety of people in different ways.”
She said older people were the main clientele, particularly those new to modern technology.
The Digital Shed staff often help set up emails, social media profiles, help get pictures off phones and cameras along with a host of other basic and advanced services.
“It’s probably geared toward older people who haven’t had any (digital) training or education, so people just starting out with technology,” Ms Lyons said.
“Just the basic things that people usually go to their grandchildren for, but not everyone has grandchildren and sometimes families get kind of over helping.”
The program has also helped business owners and community groups with projects and establishing an online presence.
Ms Lyons, who has a teaching background, said it could also be a useful resource for parents with children in school now having laptops and an increasingly digitalised education system. Having hosted a range of guest speakers in the past discussing subjects such as search engine optimisation and internet addiction, the LV Digital Shed will explore the world of video games next month when indie studio Surprise Attack Games’ Steve Heller gives a talk.
The Traralgon local will speak about his pathway into the industry and hopes to establish a mentor program for local youth looking to get involved.
“A lot of kids that come from Lavalla and even some of the younger Work for the Dole people say they’d love to do game-making, so it will be interesting to get some first-hand information about the pathway Steve took to support people,” Ms Lyons said.
“We’re really trying to get around people to choose themselves and have a go at their own ventures.
“With the unemployment here if people are waiting to get a job, they might be waiting a while, but if they can be a bit entrepreneurial, we’re there to support that.”
Mr Heller will visit the Traralgon VRI Hall for a presentation from 1pm to 3pm on Friday, 17 February.
The LV Digital Shed is open every Friday from 10am to 3pm and asks for a small donation from visitors. For more information or tickets for Steve Heller’s presentation, visit the LV Digital Shed Facebook page.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.weteachme.com/thevri/1017680-meet-steve-surprise-attack-games
For more on Steve Heller’s journey, see Thursday’s Express.
