APRIL 2008 CLASSES: listed chronologically
(pre-registration is necessary for all classes; see descriptions below for details on how to register)

Boot Camp is an introductory course designed for members who are new to computing and/or the Microsoft Windows operating system. This hands-on class has a limited enrollment of 12 with each participant working at an individual computer station in the Computer Lab. A multi-member team of lead instructor and coaches will provide step-by-step instruction that will include demonstrations, guided practice and individual coaching assistance.

Participants will be introduced to the basic vocabulary and concepts necessary to establish an understanding of Windows. They will be instructed in practical strategies for managing and organizing their own data files, and they will be introduced to the fun and power of a word processing program. Each Boot Camp is composed of five three-hour sessions.

Prerequisites: Must be a Club member and own a computer using Microsoft Windows.
April Fee: Ten ($10.00), including a participant's manual and a CD
May and June Fee: Fifteen ($15.00), including a participant’s manual, a CD, and a portable flash drive (new feature for class)

Registration:
To register or seek additional information, please telephone Susie Scott at 242-9745 or 239-8986 (cell). She will arrange to register you for an upcoming class, issue you the class materials and collect the course fee.

Gmail (Google Mail)
Instructor: Howard Verne
Wednesday, April 9, at 9:00 am
Location: Computer Lab

This class is for beginners as well as experienced users, Vista as well as XP users. You will sign up for a FREE Google email account. No software need be installed. No more fighting Hotmail/AOL/Outlook Express/etc. You will learn how to: send and receive mail from ANY computer ANY operating system, ANYWHERE in the world; view attachments (e.g., pictures) and download them to your computer; send attachments as part of your email; set up contacts/address book; and recognize phishing and spam emails.

This hands-on class has a limited enrollment of 12 with each participant working at an individual computer station. A multi-member team of lead instructor and coaches will provide step-by-step instruction that will include demonstrations, guided practice and individual coaching assistance. There is no fee for this class.

Registration: to register, send an email with your first and last name, association number, and the word "GMAIL" in the body of your message to hverne@yahoo.com .

Vista Basics: Introduction to Vista
Instructor: Howard Verne
Wednesday, April 16, at 9:00 am
Location: Computer Lab

This session is a basic survey of Microsoft’s Vista Operating System and is intended to give members who have just purchased a new computer with Vista installed or those who have converted from XP to Vista, a way to jump start their knowledge of Microsoft’s newest OS.

This hands-on class has a limited enrollment of 12 with each participant working at an individual computer station. A multi-member team of lead instructor and coaches will provide step-by-step instruction that will include demonstrations, guided practice and individual coaching assistance. There is no fee for this class.

Registration: to register, send an email with your first and last name, association number, and the words "VISTA BASICS" in the body of your message to hverne@yahoo.com.

Excel for Beginners is an introductory course designed for members who want to learn what they can do with the Excel spreadsheet and how to do it. This series of two hands-on classes has a limited enrollment of 12 with each participant working at an individual computer station in the Computer Lab. A team consisting of a lead instructor and 2 or 3 coaches will provide step-by-step instruction that will include demonstrations, guided practice and individual coaching assistance.

Participants will learn the basic vocabulary and concepts necessary to understand Excel. They will learn to use templates, open existing files, and create, format, and save files of their own design. They will learn the basics of formulas and how to move, copy, insert and delete cells, columns, and rows. They will also learn about cell protection.

This hands-on class has a limited enrollment of 12 with each participant working at an individual computer station. A multi-member team of lead instructor and coaches will provide step-by-step instruction that will include demonstrations, guided practice and individual coaching assistance. There is no fee for this class.

Registration: to register, send an email with your first and last name, association number, and the word "EXCEL" in the body of your message to malcolm@fedragons.com .

Beyond the Basics in Vista
Instructor: Howard Verne
Wednesday, April 30, at 9:00 am
Location: Computer Lab
If you have the Vista operating system installed on your new computer and have participated in our Vista Basics hands-on class, or have attended one of the Vista-related seminars, or you have simply made the transition from an earlier version of Windows on your own, you may find that this hands-on class will provide you with an effective way to hone your computing skills as you go beyond the basics in Vista.

Listed below are just a few of the topics that could be covered during this class, depending upon the participants’ expressed needs. Bring your notepad to the session so that you can make a record of Howard’s responses. He will give priority to all questions that are submitted in advance of the class. Once he addresses those questions, then he will open the floor to a question and answer segment. Therefore, to guarantee that you will get an answer to your question, just send an Email message to: hverne@yahoo.com .

Depending on participants’ interests, topics may include: grouping/stacking files, filtering, controlling icon size, bread crumbs, accessing system tools, using the Control Panel, working with photos using Photo Gallery, burning CDs, skipping the logon window, Windows Defender, Software Explorer, System Recovery, and setting up networks/network repair.

There is more here than can be covered in the time allocated. The audience and advanced questions will determine the topics covered.

This hands-on class has a limited enrollment of 12 with each participant working at an individual computer station. A multi-member team of lead instructor and coaches will provide step-by-step instruction that will include demonstrations, guided practice and individual coaching assistance. There is no fee for this class.

Registration: to register, send an email with your first and last name, association number, and the words "BEYOND THE BASICS IN VISTA" in the body of your message to hverne@yahoo.com.