IF YOU think Windows are things you look through, and a mouse is something the cat drags in, an author from Riccall is hoping to put you straight.

Bill Hall is the author of a new book on using computers, specifically tailored to help older readers understand the bewildering world of the keyboard.

His efforts are the result of close co-operation with a trio of silver surfers who read each chapter as it was written to see if they could keep up.

Computer consultant Bill got the idea after several older people told him they found it difficult to get into computing.

"People would tell me that they wanted to learn, but that all the books you can buy, even the ones that say they are easy, went right over their heads," he said.

"I think it's the case that most books don't take the trouble to explain basic things, so you can lose an older reader very quickly. It's easy for writers to forget how complex it all is, and take things for granted.

"I had always wanted to write a book, and this seemed the ideal subject."

Bill's book, Using A Computer For The First Time, was proofread by three experts in the field of knowing nothing about computers.

They were his 86-year-old uncle, farmer John Hall, retired teacher Dilys Birkett; and farmer Vic Reading, aged 63.

With each new chapter, Bill asked them to follow the text, and, to his delight, found they could keep up.

"My book has a narrative style, and takes pains to explain things like what a file is, and why it is different from the kind of file you have in your desk," he said.

"It also talks about different ways of clicking the mouse, as a lot of elderly people have trouble with the idea of double-clicking, because their hands don't move as easily."

The book ends by showing the reader how to prepare a swish-looking letter, and how to import graphics, such as maps.

Already Bill is planning further books, looking at spreadsheets, accounting and also email.

"Most older people I have spoken to would simply like to know how to write a good letter on a computer," he added.

"But obviously, for people like farmers, doing your accounts electronically will be very useful."

The work is published by Management Books, priced £12.99, and is available in most bookshops, or from Bill himself. Write to Bill Hall, PO Box 521, York, YO19 6XZ. There is a postage fee of £2 for postal delivery.

Updated: 11:25 Thursday, February 21, 2002