Descriptions of Seminars offered by

My Computer Guru

These seminars are stand-alone 2 hr programs that do not require the portable computer lab.  We bring in computer, projector, and a screen to present a very informative packed and interactive program on the hottest topics home computer users are looking for and cannot find anywhere else.  We provide handouts and software on the subjects we are instructing on. 

Best of the Web

If you have ever wondered what there is to do on the internet, this is the class for you!  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.

How to be Safe while Surfing the Internet

Do you ever wonder how to keep your kids safe while surfing the internet? The media is full of reports about all of 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.

 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 threats to computers; Spyware and Adware. Performance routines and software will be discussed. Students will be provided with a CD with all instructions and free software to keep the PC in tip-top shape.

Purchasing a PC

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.

Family Tree software & more

Have you ever wanted to research your family history but didn’t know where to start? Have you wondered how the internet can help you uncover information and fill in blanks in your family tree? This course will cover the use a professional of a family tree/genealogy program, as well as discuss resources on the web to help with your research.  The instructor, Valerie Gugala, is a historian & actress portraying Mrs. Abraham Lincoln who has done extensive original source research at history museums and libraries, as well as on the internet. She will guide you to the sites that she has found the most helpful and interesting, as well as give you tips about historical research.  The cost of the class includes ownership of a full version of genealogy software for each student.

Buying and selling on E-Bay

Do you want to try out e-bay but don’t know how it all works? Take this 2 hr. seminar and learn all you need to know to get started using e-bay. We will talk about bidding, payment options, seller ratings, and placing items for sale yourself, plus much more!