Descriptions of courses offered by

My Computer Guru

The classes below can be packaged in several different ways. Most popular package is 3 days at 2 hrs each (6 hrs total) or 2 days at 3 hrs each (6 hrs total).  4 days at 1 ½ hrs each is another example. These classes can also be 4 hours. 

Windows XP I beginner

Learn about all the new powerful features of Microsoft Windows XP operating system. You'll be introduced to the Windows interface and become familiar with the Desktop, Start menu, Taskbar, Folders and Icons.  Topics include:  Selecting Applications from the Taskbar, Taskbar Grouping Feature, Moving and resizing windows,  Working with Windows and built in Applications , understanding and using Online help and support,  Configuring Settings from Control Panel, and File management. We will complete this course getting a more in depth understanding of applications such as WordPad (create documents), Outlook Express (Email), Internet Explorer (Browse the Internet), and MS Paint (create or edit pictures).

Must have mouse and keyboard skills

Windows XP II Intermediate

Learn more about Microsoft Windows XP then the neighborhood kid next door.  Topics in this course include: advanced folder and File Management using Windows Explorer and My Computer, toolbars,   Menu Options, Basic System Maintenance, Cool System Utilities, Windows Update, plus much more.

Word XP I beginner

This course provides a comprehensive overview to Microsoft Word XP in the Windows environment. Students will learn how to create, modify and save a number of hands-on word processing exercises while learning basic text formatting procedures like selecting text, setting tabs and margins, indenting, and much more.

Word XP II Intermediate

Know the basic functions of Microsoft Word XP and would like to learn more about the most popular word processor. Learn about the more advanced functions and features of Word XP. Topics include: headers and footers, Styles and Formatting, Mail merging, table creation, templates and more.

Internet I Beginner

Here’s your chance to learn about the internet. We’ll discuss many topics including history how it all began, email, terms and definitions, what is available on the internet, how to get on-line, what is “dial-up” and high-speed internet access, the future of the Net.  Also where to find and download free programs to do just about anything you can think of.

Internet II Intermediate

You may have been using the internet for years, but some of the stuff you come across still confuses you.  This course can clear all that up for you.  We will cover in depth topics such as downloading and opening Zip files, where to find programs to download, how to search for just about anything on the Internet.  You will learn how to download, use and customize needed programs such at WinZip (to open .Zip files), Adobe Acrobat (to view PDF files), Shockwave (to view graphics and play games), Spybot (to remove adware and spyware), etc. Other topics covered include understanding high-speed internet access, how to set it up and safeguarding your computer.

Excel XP I beginner

Learn how to create spreadsheets using the most popular software Microsoft Excel XP. This course teaches you all the basics needed to create and use Excel spreadsheets. Topics include basic spreadsheet concepts, formulas, formats, functions, printing, and charts.

Excel XP II Intermediate

Ready to take Microsoft Excel to the next level? This course will help you turn loose the total power of Excel using features like databases, filtering, linking & protecting, macros, IF logic, lookup functions, and more. You’ll wonder how you ever got along without them!

PowerPoint I XP

Learn the essentials of creating a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation for your job or your volunteer group. You may have seen them before, those cool slide show presentations on the computer or projected on the screen.  You will learn how to create dynamic slide show presentations from start to finish.  By the end of the course will have all the knowledge to create a slide show because you will have created one during class.

Introduction to the Computer

Not sure how to setup a computer and turn it on? This hands-on course is designed to provide an introduction to the personal computer and Microsoft Windows XP. We will cover the components of a Personal Computer (“PC”) and those wonderful toys that make your computer more fun (printers, scanners, digital camera, etc).  Topics covered include: ways in which the computer can increase productivity at home and in your business; hardware and software terminology, how to use a mouse to control your computer, Windows Online Help, customizing the Windows XP environment and file management. We will complete this course getting a basic understanding of applications such as WordPad (create documents), Outlook Express (Email), Internet Explorer (Browse the Internet), and MS Paint (create or edit pictures).

This course is designed for those who have little or no prior experience using Windows or want to refresh their information in order to use this new operating system

Networking 101

This course will teach you to network two or more computers together to allow file and printer sharing as well as internet access for all the computers.  We will cover hardware, software, configurations and settings.  This will be a hands-on course linking two computers together.

Purchasing a PC (1 day at 2hrs)

In this 2-hour seminar, we’ll cover the components of a computer and all those cool toys to connect to your computer (scanner, digital camera, PDA’s, printer, etc) and how much money you should expect to spend. What do all those funny terms mean –  56K, P4, Mega this and Giga that. Also we will be covering software needed to make your computer work for you (word processors, banking, internet, specialty software).  The most important topic covered is how to choose the computer to meet your needs and budget.

This seminar/discussion does not require PC lab and can be run same time as other PC programs

Digital Imaging

In this course we will learn about digital cameras, photo printers, scanners, image editing software (Adobe Photoshop), and software that creates picture slide-shows CD’s (playable on computer or DVD player). We will learn what features to look for in digital cameras, scanners, and printers like resolution, pixels, and dots. If you have a digital camera/scanner, bring it along, we can set it up on your assigned class computer.  All pictures and photo shows will be brought home daily on CD’s.  We will learn how to send pictures via email and post pictures on the Internet.

American Greeting® CreataCard®  design

Never buy a greeting card again!  design like a pro with no experience using one of the best software packages: American Greetings. Creative print and Web projects with thousands of customizable greeting cards, business cards, calendars, invitations/announcements, and more. CreataCard has built-in address book, spell checker, and photo editor.  Course fee includes ownership of a full version of American Greeting® CreataCard software to take home.

 Recipe Creator 1.0

In this course you will learn how to use a software program to transfer your recipe’s into a database. Learn how to create your own recipe book from scratch and then add old family recipes, magazine recipes, and recipes from friends.

Best of the Internet (1 day at 2hrs)

If you have ever wondered what there is to do on the internet, this is the class for you!  You may know how to get on the internet, send  email, and visit a few websites, but do you ever feel like you are not getting as much entertainment and information out of your online time as you could? Do you ever wonder what your friends, co-workers, and kids find so interesting about the internet? `This class you will show you some of our favorite websites, the ones that make the web the place to turn to for fun and a wealth of facts.  We will show you how and where to search for anything, where to find great free software, and online games for all ages. We will discover dozens of the best websites and show how they unleash the power, imagination, and information of the internet. We might even encounter a few surprises along the way.  

This seminar/discussion does not require PC lab and can be run same time as other PC programs

How to be Safe while Surfing the Internet (1 day at 2 hrs)

Do you ever wonder how to keep your kids safe while surfing the internet? The media is full of reports about all of the the dangers of the internet, but have little to say about how to avoid them. How many of the dangers are real and how many are “urban legends”? What can be done to stay safe and still use the internet to the fullest extent? During our 2 hour discussion, participants will learn what the risks really are and how to deal with them. Some topics include filtering software, kid & family friendly web sites, email scams, and tips for safe surfing..

This seminar/discussion does not require PC lab and can be run same time as other PC programs

Computer Rx

Computer running slow or getting hit with those runaway pop ads?  Learn how to keep your computer healthy and running at top performance.  We will learn about several anti-virus software packages. Also, we will learn about and how to deal with the latest threat to computers; Spyware and Adware. Performance routines and software will be discussed along with how to setup a hands off maintanence schedule to clean and fix the computer daily.  Students will be provided with a CD with all instructions and free software to keep the PC in tip-top shape.  This seminar/discussion does not require PC lab and can be run same time as other PC programs