Some of our members prefer a less structured type of class. If
you have just have a couple of questions or issues about a particular program
try out one of our forums. These are less structured than the SIGs and are
more of a round table discussion group. Participation by everyone attending
our forums is highly encouraged.
If you are an active member and happen to see someone sporting
a "visitor" badge, please extend a warm greeting and thank him or her for
taking time to visit us.
Registration for all other SIGs is by e-mail only,
directly to the SIG leader. Class schedules and SIG leader contacts are
updated in the Monitor every month. If you are unfamiliar with accessing the
web; don’t know how to send e-mails; or don’t have a computer, call the SIG
leader. SIG leader phone numbers are listed on page 3 of the PC Monitor.
The easiest way to register for a course is to use
the SPCUG website. It assures you of having the most up-to-date information.
To do so:
Because of limited space and seating, please do not just
"show up" at a SIG without pre-registering. Doing so only creates a difficult
situation for SIG leaders and for members who have registered properly.
Visitors are welcome to attend all SIGs on the General
Meeting Night, but they must also wear a "Visitors Badge" obtainable at the
Badge Table.
Entering Classrooms and Campus Rules.
To ensure that SPCUG members do not inadvertently disrupt the Sarasota
County Technical Institute (SCTI) classes in progress, SCTI has requested that
SPCUG members refrain from entering SIG course classrooms until the class in
session is dismissed. Please note that we must respect both SCTI as well as
Sarasota Middle School regulations, including security rules, fire laws, no
smoking areas, and all requests from the custodian. Please park only in
non-reserved areas.
The following Forums are open to members and visitors. They
require no registration; however, you need to wear your member badge or obtain
a "Visitors Badge" obtainable at the Badge Table before entering.
Open Office Forum - Room 625
5:15 - 6:00p Aug. 4 and Sept. 1
There will be some instruction on Open Office but the bulk
of the forum will be hands on problem solving and question and answer
sessions. We’ll cover compatibility with MS Office and review word
processing, spreadsheets and slide presentations. If there is interest we
can look at databases and other portions of Open Office.
Leader: Mike Hutchinson
E-mail: <mph_04@verizon.net>
Random Access - Room 301
5:15 - 5:55p Aug. 4 CLOSED and RETURNS on Sept. 1
A free-flowing question and answer forum on subjects related
to PC-based mail or web mail; Microsoft Office applications, such as Excel,
PowerPoint, or Access Version 2003 and 2007; and Windows as needed for those
applications.
Leader: Dick Orenstein
E-mail: <oren@umich.edu>
Windows Vista & Windows 7 for Beginners - Room 626
5:15 - 6:15p Aug. 4 and Sept. 1
A Forum designed with the Novice computer user in mind.
Making Vista & Windows 7 do what you want it to do without frustration.
Leader: Phil Sorrentino
E-mail: <philsorr@yahoo.com>
Photoshop "Wizards" - Room 303
5:15 - 6:55 Aug. 4 CLOSED and RETURNS on Sept. 1
A Forum that is limited to members who are actively using
Adobe Photoshop to process their digital images. Attendees are expected to
participate and be able to share their insights and Photoshop techniques
with their fellow Forum members. The Moderator will reserve the right to
maintain a high level of discussion i.e. "rule" that some questions are out
of order or are more appropriate to be asked in another SIG or Forum and
thus not be addressed. Topics will vary from meeting to meeting.
Leader: Mike McNaughton
E-mail: <mikemcn@worldnet.att.net>
The Database Forum - Room 623
5:15 - 6:55p Aug. 4 and Sept. 1
Using free on-line services to evaluate trends in company
stock. Focus on review of
www.stockcharts.com and
www.nasdaq.com.
Leader: Bob Young, Ph.D.
E-mail: <ryoung19@tampabay.rr.com>
Phone: 941-725-0761
Tech Support Forum - Room 314 - Auditorium
5:55 - 6:55p Aug. 4 and Sept. 1
Discover your computer...from Novice to Expert. Ask and
learn all of the things you need to know. This is a class and an open
question forum. Anyone can attend, no need to reserve a seat.
Leader: Adam J. Richter M.S.
E-mail: <simple818@gmail.com>
Phone: 720-7950
Android Phone Forum - Room 627
5:55 - 7:30p Aug. 4 and Sept. 1
The Droid cell phone from Motorola has the "new" Google OS
(called "Android") like more and more new phones. Most phone companies now
have some phones with Android. Some under $100. This Forum is appropriate
for anyone with an Android OS phone. There are 10,000 programs for Android
and many are free. We discuss our favorites and how to use the new Cut and
Paste feature in 2.1.
Leader: Dean Ewalt
E-Mail:<drdean@pobox.com>
Phone: 364-8900
New Member /VisitorOrientation and Computer Help - Room 625
6:00 - 6:55p Aug. 4 and Sept. 1
If you are a new member or just a visitor and want to see
what SPCUG is all about, this is where you can find your answers. We’ll tell
you all about the classes that SPCUG gives and how you can enroll at no
cost, other than being a member of SPCUG. The leaders for this alternate
each month.
Leader: Alternates each month
Genealogy - Room 301
6:00 - 6:55p Aug. 4 and Sept. 1
A forum session that will answer your questions dealing with
Genealogical topics submitted by the attendees.
Leader: Dennis Gries
E-mail: <dgries@comcast.net>
Photodex ProShow Gold Forum - Room 624
5:15 - 5:55pm Aug. 4 and Sept. 1
With the award-winning Photodex ProShow Gold, you can share
your experiences in a slide show which combines photos, videos & music using
an easy drag and drop method. Optimize your files using built-in editing
tools to crop, remove red-eye and trim audio and video clips. Add the
finishing touches with a custom soundtrack, voiceover’s and titles. This
Forum is for those who use this program or would like to find out about it.
Leaders: Guy & Marilyn Burroughs
E-mail: <flyfisherman3988@yahoo.com>
Microsoft Word - Room 626
6:15 - 6:55p Aug. 4 and Sept. 1
A forum style session that answers questions dealing with
Microsoft Word from beginning to advanced levels. Some instruction, tips and
tricks will be included.
Leader: Hailey Shaughnessy
E-mail: <haileyshaughnessy@comcast.net>
Photoshop Elements - Room 624
6:00 - 6:55p Aug. 4 and Sept. 1
A Forum style session that will answer your Photoshop
Elements questions. Techniques, Tips and Tricks will also be featured.
Leader: Chris Hanrahan
E-mail: <chinfl@verizon.net>
All following SIGs require that you be a member and require
Registration with the SIG leader by e-mail or by the SPCUG Website. Include
your name, SPCUG membership number, phone number and e-mail address. A
confirmation will be sent when information is received.
In order to provide our membership with a more
comprehensive group of classes for the beginning computer user, we are
realigning our current Getting Started and Basic classes as follows: Getting
Started (four 1-1/2 hour sessions) followed in any order by Basic E-mail
(two 1-1/2 hour sessions), Basic File Management (two 1-1/2 hour sessions),
Basic Internet (two 1-1/2 hour sessions), and Basic Maintenance and Back-Up
(two 1-1/2 hour sessions). To attend a class labeled Basic you must have
taken Getting Started or exhibit to the satisfaction of the SIG leader
knowledge of the material in that class. To register for any of the above
basic classes, come to the SIG table at a general meeting or send an e-mail
to the leader.
PC Refurbishing Project
This is for the person who comprehends things of a technical
nature and is interested in community service. The goal of the project is to
refurbish donated computers and give them to Sarasota County not-for-profit
organizations and to residents who need a computer but cannot afford one.
Interested members will be invited to our workshop to observe what we do.
When training classes are to begin, interested members will be e-mailed the
time and location of the training. Some of the learning is self-directed and
you will be expected to refurbish computers in your home. It is necessary
for you to be a self-starter, and eventually contribute to others in the
Project as well as the community. E-Mail your request to Visit the
Refurbishing Workshop to:
Contact: Dave Winkelman
E-mail: <supermodified@comcast.net>
Getting Started
Getting started is series of classes geared for the absolute
beginner. This course will cover computer terminology, how to work with the
"windows" that is on your computer screen, and how to use a simple program
to type a message.
Dates: Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25
Day: Saturdays
Time: 10:45am - 12:15pm
Location: Boys & Girls Club Rm 10
Leader: Dr. Bob Thommes
E-mail: <srqrct@verizon.net>
Dates: Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30
Day: Saturdays
Time: 10:45am - 12:15pm
Location: Boys & Girls Club Rm 10
Leader: Dr. Bob Thommes
E-mail: <srqrct@verizon.net>
Dates: Nov. 6, 13, 20, Dec. 4
Day: Saturdays
Time: 10:45am - 12:15pm
Location: Boys & Girls Club Rm 10
Leader: Dr. Bob Thommes
E-mail: <srqrct@verizon.net>
Basic Internet (two sessions)
Prior to taking this class, students should have taken
"Getting Started" or have exhibited the knowledge and skills taught in that
class. This class introduces students to browsing and searching the
Internet, plus ways to keep a computer safe from Internet threats, such as
spyware and viruses. Members may register at the SIG table on General
meeting nights or by sending an e-mail to the instructor. Include name,
phone number, SPCUG member number, and e-mail address.
Dates: Sept. 4, 11
Day: Saturday
Time: 12:30 - 2:00pm
Location: Boys & Girls Club Rm 20
Leader: Nancy DeMarte
E-mail: <ndemarte@verizon.net>
Basic Computer Maint. & Backup (two sessions)
Prior to taking this class, students should have taken
"Getting Started" or have exhibited the knowledge and skills taught in that
class. This class introduces students to the regular maintenance tasks
necessary to keep a computer running smoothly and the need and techniques of
backing up and restoring computer data. Members may register at the SIG
table on General meeting nights or by sending an e-mail to the instructor.
Include name, phone number, SPCUG member number, and e-mail address.
Dates: Sept. 18, 25
Day: Saturday
Time: 12:30 - 2:00 pm
Location: Boys & Girls Club Rm 20
Leader: Nancy DeMarte
E-mail: <ndemarte@verizon.net>
Basic E-Mail (two sessions)
Prior to taking this class, students should have taken
"Getting Started" or have exhibited the knowledge and skills taught in that
class. This class introduces students the differences between webmail and
PC-based email programs, and basic functions of e-mail, such as composing a
message, filing messages in folders, creating an attachment, and email
security. Members may register at the SIG table on General meeting nights or
by sending an e-mail to the instructor. Include name, phone number, SPCUG
member number, and e-mail address.
Dates: Oct. 2, 9
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00 - 10:30am
Location: Boys & Girls Club Rm 10
Leader: Jim Cerny
E-mail: <jcerny123@yahoo.com>
Basic File Management (two sessions)
Prior to taking this class, students should have taken
"Getting Started" or have exhibited the knowledge and skills taught in that
class. This class introduces students to the organization of files, such as
documents and photos, on a computer. It includes skills such as saving a
file, finding a file, creating folders, moving files into and out of
folders, and understanding the folder tree. Members may register at the SIG
table on General meeting nights or by sending an e-mail to the instructor.
Include name, phone number, SPCUG member number, and e-mail address.
Dates: Oct. 16, 23
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00 - 10:30am
Location: Boys & Girls Club Rm 20
Leader: Robert Farrell
E-mail: <rfarrell264@gmail.com>
Excel Beginning
This 4 session introduction to Microsoft’s spread sheet
application will give you the confidence to use Excel effectively and to
continue to build knowledge on your own. You will learn how to get around
the Excel window, workbook and worksheet, how to enter, store and retrieve
data, add formulas and print results. Pre-Requisite: Comfortable using a
computer as a tool to surf the net, do e-mail and file management.
Registration is required. Be sure to include your name, SPCUG number, e-mail
address and phone number. Seating is limited and no walk-ins are allowed. A
confirmation notice will be sent when complete information is received.
Dates: Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00 - 10:30am
Location: Boys & Girls Club Rm 20
Leader: Bill Crowe
E-mail: <wtcrowe@verizon.net>
Excel Advanced
How would you like to extend your knowledge of Excel? This
course will do just that. We will be learning to use more complex formulas,
more functions, and how to work with multiple work sheets. We will create
charts, cover the Excel auditing tools, and learn more about importing data
into Excel. We will also cover the tools that can be used when working with
very large work sheets. Prerequisite -The student who takes this course
should be an Excel user already and be able to create a basic budget, with
formulas, using Excel. To register, please send an e-mail to the instructor
with name, SPCUG member number, phone number, and e-mail address.
Dates: Oct. 2, 9, Nov. 6, 13
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00 - 10:30am
Location: Boys & Girls Club Rm 20
Leader: Bill Crowe
E-mail: <wtcrowe@verizon.net>
Working with Pictures
Tired of all those digital pictures that you can’t find when
you want them? Did you put them on your computer somewhere, or are they
still on your camera’s memory card? If this is your problem and you do not
want to learn some complex new program, then this is your class. We will be
learning how to use Picasa in this class. It is an easy to use computer
program which has some great tools to Edit, Organize, and Publish (or
present) our pictures. And best of all it is "Free." Join us for this fun,
rewarding, and useful class. Your pictures should be memories that you can
enjoy without a lot of computer "issues."
Prerequisite - Basic Computer skills including how to work
with files and folders. To register, please send the instructor an e-mail
with name, SPCUG member number, phone number, and e-mail address.
Day: Saturdays
Dates: Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 10:45am - 12:15pm
Location: Boys & Girls Club Rm 20
Leader: Bill Crowe
E-mail: <wtcrowe@verizon.net>
Day: Saturdays
Dates: Oct. 2, 9, Nov. 6, 13
Time: 10:45am - 12:15pm
Location: Boys & Girls Club Rm 20
Leader: Bill Crowe
E-mail: <wtcrowe@verizon.net>
Power Point Beginning
You will each create an electronic slide show using wizards,
templates and layout forms and then enhance it using WordArt, clip art and
fancy transitions. You must have Power Point available to you for practice
between sessions. The PowerPoint program is included with the Microsoft
Office Suite. Registration is required. Walk-ins are not allowed.
Date: Nov. 6, 13, 20
Day: Saturdays
Time: 9:00 - 10:30am
Location: Boys & Girls Club Rm 10
Leader: Nancy Wallace
E-mail: <nancykwallace@gmail.com>
Digital Camera Workshop
This is a very basic Digital Camera class. Upon completion
you should be able to use your digital camera to start taking pictures and
download them into your computer. We will attempt to get students familiar
with their cameras and using digital cameras in general, as well as teaching
the methods of downloading images to a computer. The first session will
familiarize you with your camera and its controls. The second session will
consist of a field trip in the area at a place to be announced to practice
what we learned in the first session. The third session will familiarize you
with downloading your pictures from camera or card to computer and how to
burn them on a disk. Class will be limited to 15 people. Due to the
diversity of cameras and systems we will be working with, all attendees will
be expected to bring their digital camera and user manual to class with
them. All attendees shall be registered and have been confirmed for the
class. There will be no walk-ins.
Dates: Nov. 6, 13, 20
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00 - 10:30am
Location: Boys & Girls Club Learning Cntr
Leaders: Bruce and Joanne Yorgensen
E-mail: <yogiefla@comcast.net>
The following are a series of "Mini-SIGS" which are
primarily intended for the individuals who have recently completed the
"Getting Started", E-mail and File Management and The Internet, Maintenance
and Back-Up SIGS. In other words they are intended for Novice users who wish
to extend their computer expertise in specific areas. They are one or two
classes that are 1.5 hours in length. These SIGS are not intended for
Intermediate or Advanced Users unless indicated. Registration can be either
at the General Meeting or directly by contacting the SIG Leader by e-mail on
the web calendar. E-mail is the preferred method. Name, Membership Number,
e-mail address and phone number are required for registration.
Windows 7 Image & Restore
Restore your Windows 7 Computer from a System Image. Windows
7 includes the ability to create and restore an Image, which can allow you
to recover from viruses; unstable software downloads, and failed hard
drives, quickly. This 1 session class will show you how to take an image of
your Windows 7 System and Restore the image back to the disc drive.
Registration is required, so be sure to include your name, SPCUG number,
e-mail address and phone number. A confirmation notice will be sent when
complete information is received.
Dates: Sept. 4
Day: Saturday
Time: 9 - 10:30am
Location: Boys & Girls Club Learning Cntr
Leader: Phil Sorrentino
E-mail: <philsorr@yahoo.com>
Google Medley
Introduction to using Google’s Gmail, Contacts, Calendar and
Documents. This course will introduce members to signing up for and using
Gmail, as well as linking Gmail to other mail accounts. In addition, the
course will provide an overview of other Google programs, such as Google
Contacts, Calendar and Google Documents. It will touch on the interaction of
these applications with the Google Droid phones. To register, please send an
e-mail to the instructor which includes your name, SPCUG member number,
phone number, and e-mail address.
Dates: Sept.25, Oct. 23
Day: Saturday
Time: 12:30 - 2:00pm
Location: Boys & Girls Club Learning Cntr
Instructor: Bob Harris
E-mail: <rxharris@gmail.com>
Make a GPS Your Travel Companion
A GPS can help you find a friend’s house or a place to eat
in an unfamiliar city. It can also help you safely navigate through those
complex intersections where you don’t know what lane to be in when
approaching the intersection. This course will introduce you to a GPS system
and show you how to use it to find a specific destination or find a
restaurant near your destination. Registration is required. Send an email to
the instructor and be sure to include your name, SPCUG number, e-mail
address and phone number. A confirmation notice will be sent when complete
information is received.
Date: Sept. 11
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00 - 10:30am
Location: Boys & Girls Club Learning Cntr
Leader: Phil Sorrentino
E-mail: <philsorr@yahoo.com>
“No Saturday classes will be held during August because the Boys
& Girls Club will be unavailable to us. Classes will resume in September.” :
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