Some of our Classes
Introduction to Computers
Runs from 9:00 am – 12 noon
$10 Members $15 Non-members
This is an introductory and beginner's class for those who want to know about and use computers. It is an 8 hour class made up of 4 days, 2 hours each. It will be a ‘learn by the hands-on’ method with individual participation, demos, and activities. Covered material will be using the lab computers, defining elements of a computer, explaining the display, mouse, and keyboard. Topics of hardware and software are to be included. Files and folder organization will be covered along with word processing. Students are requested to ask questions and share experiences during class.
Your instructor is Sam Montana.
Buying a Computer - Choices, Choices, Choices
Runs from 9:00 – 11:30 am
$5 Members $5 Non-members
Making choices among computers are becoming more confusing as the boundaries between the different types of devices have become blurred. There are laptops that convert into tablets and tablets that convert into laptops and don’t forget the all-in-one desktops that don’t need a separate monitor.
This mini-class is a lecture which covers the decision of whether you need a new PC, the minimum hardware you should buy, the pros and cons of various hardware choices (Desktop, Laptop, tablet), and information on PC components such as disk, memory, processor, monitor and software. It will also discuss PC pricing and purchasing options.
Peppermint 10 Workshop
Runs from 9:00 – 11:30 am
$5 Members $10 Non-members
Peppermint is an alternative way to use computers. It uses the Linux OS instead of Microsoft Windows 10. This class is for anyone who has Peppermint installed on their laptops or desktops and want to understand its capabilities and limitations. Bring your computer, power supply and mouse with you to class. This class is intended to familiarize new users of Peppermint 10, with many of its basic features. These include the Panel (task bar), Menu, connecting to WiFi and printers, placing Icons on the desk top or panel and getting peppermint updates as well as using the filing system, mounting and ejecting flash drives. The class will also cover making Google Chrome your default browser, adjusting google settings and book marking your favorite sites: email, bank, sport team or news site….Editing the Menu, adding and removing software (LibreOffice), customizing your desk top adding wallpaper (background), opening additional windows, and adjusting the transparency of windows. Instructor is Leslie Cox.
Painfree Backup for Your Computer
Runs from 8:30 am – 12 noon
$10 Members $15 Non-members
“There are two kinds of disk drives, those that have crashed and those that are going to crash.” Do not risk the loss of all your documents, pictures and videos. This new and improved class is a 3hour workshop on a backup approach that uses two free programs to give you excellent protection from file/system loss. One is a program called FreeFileSync. This program backs up your documents and pictures that are on your computer and then lets you quickly back up your file changes on a weekly basis. The result is a fast-secure backup that protects your personal files. The second program is called TodoBackup and makes an image of your entire system for easy recovery in case you lose both your system software and personal files. It should be run monthly. This is a “hands-on” Workshop so bring your computer, power cable and external hard drive. We will be installing the software and actually backing up to your external drive.
Your instructor is Phil Sorrentino.
iPad/iPhone for Seniors
Runs from 9:00 am – 12 noon
$10 Members $15 Non-members
The iPad and the iPhone function the same, in most cases. Their portability makes them very handy for lots of things. You can check Email, carry your books and music around with you, and have fun playing games. In addition, you can adjust the size of the readable text on the screen. We will go through the iPad/IPhone settings to make your life easier and fun. Included will be Bluetooth, Siri, Dictation, Books (on the iPad), and more. This class could be used in conjunction with another class on how to get your music onto your computer and devices.
Prerequisites: You need to bring your fully charged iPad or iPhone to the workshop along with the charger and USB cord. It is presumed that your device is already set up for use.
Cutting the Cord
Runs from 9:00 am – 12 noon
$10 Members $15 Non-members
This mini-course will review cable TV and phone service alternatives. Current cable offerings from Spectrum and Frontier, like the “triple play” (TV, Internet, and Phone) will be discussed, and alternate sources, with their limitations, will be explained. Possible alternatives like broadcast TV and Streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire will be described, so you can make your own “cut the cord” decision.
Introduction to File Explorer
Runs from 9:00 am – 12 noon
$10 Members $15 Non-members
Windows Explorer is the Windows built-in application that displays the contents of hard drives and folders. You use it to navigate all the folders and files on your computer. In this class you will learn to find, to save, to move, to copy, to delete and to rename files and folders on your hard drive or memory sticks. Learn more about storage, retrieval, file types and folders. You will learn how to use the Explorer search features. This class is a must for all Windows users.
Buying and Using a Chromebook
Runs from 9:00 am – 12 noon
$5 Members $10 Non-members
Chromebooks are a simpler alternative way to use computers. A Chromebook is a laptop that uses Google’s Chrome operating system instead of Windows 10. Chromebooks can do anything on the web that you can do using a PC browser. You can get your email, visit websites, create documents and spreadsheets, print, play games, do your banking, keep your calendar, watch movies and do all this in on a secure computer with a simpler and more straightforward interface than Windows 10. For most seniors, a Chromebook has the capacity to do anything that we want it to do. Chromebooks are less expensive than PCs with some available for around $200. The instructor will demonstrate the features of a Chromebook so that you will understand its capabilities and limitations.
Windows 10
Runs from 9:00 am – 12 noon
$10 Members $15 Non-members
Windows 10 is the new refined operating system that many people are talking about. This workshop is designed to familiarize you with Windows 10. In this class, we will be using the LAB computers to customize the start screen and play with some of the preinstalled apps on Windows10. Among other subjects we’ll cover antivirus, Microsoft accounts, Cortana, Edge, the Store, keyboard shortcuts, Control Panel vs. Settings, and snap & shake
Kindle 101
Runs from 9:00 am – 12 noon
$10 Members $15 Non-members
his class is for the basic touch screen Kindle, Paperwhite, and Oasis devices only. This is an introductory course on Kindle’s main features, how to use them and how to get the most out of them. We will cover borrowing ebooks from the public library, organizing your books into collections and troubleshooting misbehaving Kindles. Please bring your fully charged Kindle, Hillsborough library card, and Amazon password to class. The library card and Amazon password are needed to download library ebooks. Kindles not registered (initial setup) with Amazon must come to class 1 hour early so the instructor can setup the Kindle.
An Introduction to EXCEL
Prerequisite: ‘Introduction to Computers’, given by the Computer Club or equivalent.
Runs from 9:00 am – 12 noon
$10 Members $15 Non-members
This is a 3-hour introductory mini-class to EXCEL. This class starts with a definition of spreadsheets, workbooks, formulas, and functions. In-class activities include data entry, operators and operations, cell groupings, cell formats, and cell data manipulations. This is an interactive class and questions are encouraged. Your instructor is Sam Montana .
Beginner’s semi-Private Tutoring
Runs from 9:00 am – 12 noon
$10 Members
This class is for Computer Club Members Only
This class is for Windows 10 Users Only
Windows 10 only
These Windows 10 tutoring sessions are aimed at beginners to help them acquire computer skills in a friendly environment at their own pace. This class is an opportunity for beginners to spend an uninterrupted hour with one of our Lab Monitors being tutored in those areas that are of interest to you. Tutoring subjects can be as fundamental as how to turn the computer on and play solitaire. Other subjects may be writing and sending emails, navigating the file system, staying in touch with family and friends, searching the web for answers, managing and improving photos, or tracking finances.
Smart Phone Special Interest Group (SIG)
Runs from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
Members Free
This SIG is for Computer Club Members Only
The subject of each SIG will be decided by the SIG leader and it will typically be based on the prior meetings discussions. The meeting will last from 1 to 2 hours. Members are expected to participate in discussions and demonstrations. The SIG is only for Computer Club members.
Photo Gallery
Runs from 9:00 am – 12 noon
$10 Members $15 Non-members
This class is for Windows 10 Users Only
Photo Gallery provides an easy way to edit, organize, and share photos. The class is aimed at the casual photographer who is looking for a simple way to edit and improve their personal photos and doesn’t need the full functionality of Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. Photo Gallery is a Microsoft program that has been discontinued. The reason we will have a workshop on an unsupported program is because Photo Gallery has some remarkable capabilities that are extremely easy to use. The workshop will be hands-on, using the computers in the lab, and will cover: (1) Picture editing, including adjusting color and exposure, fixing red-eye, cropping and removing wrinkles; 2) Taking panoramic photos; (3) Some fun tricks for making group photos.