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I took my first typing class in 1964. Prior to my first typing class, I did not know that the big key on the bottom row is the "space bar" key. I first used a computer in 1995. Thus, it wasn't that long ago, in the great scheme of things, that I knew less than you know now. This is a round about way of saying that I can remember feeling puzzled and intimidated by computers. Boot. Left click. Right click. Mouse. Window. Icon. Email. Virus. Why don't these people speak English? I speak English, and I can help you understand computer terms and how to feel comfortable using your computer. Whether you want to communicate with distant friends and relatives via email [ especially precocious grandchildren ]; compose a letter; or save, organize and retrieve files you have created, I am prepared to offer instruction in the privacy of your home or office. I can offer guidance when you are in need of a new computer. I am prepared to help you understand the terminology [ ram, cpu, hard drive, modem, etc. ] you see in those computer advertisements. Once
you have purchased a computer and established an internet connection
[ We can assist with that, too! ], I can help you reduce your risks
from viruses, hackers and spyware. There
are a number of web sites available that act as dictionaries and encyclopedias
of computer terms. The three sites to which I refer my students are: If you learn better by reading a magazine, I recommend beginners subscribe to Smart Computing [ www.smartcomputing.com ]. They will send you a free copy of the current issue, so you can "try before you buy". I grew up watching television. I am visually oriented. I learn better from books that have a lot of images. Thus, I recommend Ruth Maran's Windows __ __ Simplified series [ www.maran.com/website/catalog/simplified/index.html ]. Her books are available at bookstores such as Borders and Barnes & Noble. In Tucson, there are two organizations at which I teach classes. The Tucson Computer Society [ www.aztcs.org ] offers classes and Special Interest Groups [ SIGs ]. At the Tucson Computer Society SIGs focus on particular aspects of computing. If you are new to computing, you may be interested in the New Users SIG. I
also teach classes at Oasis [ www.oasisnet.org/tuscon/index.htm
], sponsored by Robinsons May & Tucson Medical Center. Classes are
held at the El Con Mall. Free tutorials are available at a multitude of internet sites. www.learnthat.com/courses/computer/windowsxp Microsoft maintains a web site dedictated to the use of each Microsoft product. If you go to support.microsoft.com/ph/1188, you can click on the name of the product about which you want to learn. A particularly useful tutorial from Microsoft regards the use and customization of Internet Explorer 6. www.microsoft.com/enable/training/ie6/ I use Internet Explorer because Microsoft offers live technical support when one has problems with Internet Explorer. Online support is also available from a variety of sources, to include Microsoft [ support.microsoft.com/ph/2073 ]. For those of you who prefer to use Netscape or Firefox, online support is available. Netscape offers assistance at channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/default.jsp. Unofficial, online support for Netscape can be obtained at www.ufaq.org. Online support for Mozilla's Firefox can be found at www.mozilla.org/support/. |
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