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By Herbert Wong, Jr., SIG Leader
The new Computer Essentials SIG (special interest group) is the gateway to the world of computers. If the digital realm perplexes you (or someone you know), the North Orange County Computer Club now has a solution for you.
Each monthly session will introduce the essentials of using a computer. Each month you will learn essential computer operations, an essential application, and an essential hardware component.
Over the course of our meetings, you’ll learn about the correct way to use a mouse and keyboard, text editing, word processing, file management, anti-virus scanners, spreadsheets, taking care of you computer, fonts, web browsing (surfing the Internet), newsgroups (UseNet), printing, scanning, file formats, rip audio CDs to MP3s, burn CDs, downloading Internet files, installing file updates, and much more.
If you can read, you can participate in this SIG!
- Session one on Sunday, February 1, 2004 (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Science 111) will be crucial to understanding everything that follows.
First, you will learn how to operate a computer. We will start at physical safety and properly starting and shutting down the operating system. This includes plugging it in and turning on the power, what the startup screens are, shutting down, and launching applications. A brief introduction to computer hardware components will follow.
You will learn to identify the objects and features that you see on the monitor, the correct way to use a mouse and keyboard, fundamentals of navigation, and manipulation of objects. The primary focus will be learning the basics of text editing (such as selecting, copying, deleting, inserting, etc.). Then, you will be introduced to elementary word processing fundamentals, formatting paragraphs, fonts, margins, and much more.
- Session two on Sunday, March 7, 2004 (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Science 111) will start with a brief review of February’s topics. New material will cover basic file concepts. These include file formats (executable, data, plain text, formatted text, spreadsheet, image, video, music, etc.), properties, and manipulation. You will learn essential file operations such as copying, deleting, moving, opening, etc.
The primary focus will be on the file manager application (such as Microsoft’s Windows Explorer). Although there are changes to the various versions, we will examine in depth the features of Windows XP Windows Explorer.
- Session three on Sunday, April 4, 2004 (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Science 111) will focus on Microsoft Internet Explorer as a web browser for surfing the Internet. In addition, you will learn how to locate and install software updates (such as Windows updates from Microsoft’s web site).
- Session four on Sunday, May 2, 2004 (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Science 111) will focus on email applications. You will learn how to use web browser based email programs (such as hotmail.com). You will also learn about the advantages of using POP3 email applications (such as Eudora Pro, Microsoft Outlook, etc.), how to install, and how to configure them.
- Session five in June 2004 will focus on newsgroups (UseNet) and applications (ex. Forte Inc.’s Agent). UseNet is a highly under utilized means of corresponding and researching on the Internet.
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Of course, the above schedule is subject to change as we assess interest and pacing. There are no prerequisites. Access to a computer between meetings would be beneficial. Feel free to bring your battery powered laptop to meetings so you can follow the presentations.
This group will continue to meet once a month on a permanent basis. There is no per meeting fee, but becoming an NOCCC member offers you many benefits and, also, helps to pay for our meetings' expenses.
R.S.V.P. Please e-mail ComputerEssentialsSIG@noccc.org (or CESIG@noccc.org) if you plan to attend.
Please include a little information about yourself, such as your computer experience, what kind of computer you use, what operating system you use, and any other information that might be of interest to you.
Tell your friends, too!
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