Need help with learning how to do something on a PC?
Please note: We do not work on Apple (Mac) computers
I simply do not like Macs or the way they are marketed & am fortunately in a position to choose not to work on them.While some companies claim to specialise in 'all computers', they are treating you to (or as) an oxymoron.
Whether you're a complete beginner wanting to be pointed at the starting line or an experienced user having trouble learning some new program, we can help.
That's for PCs only - Windows & Linux NOT MAC (I could go on for hours about why I dislike & choose not to work on MACs but let's just say I'm not a fan).
It would not be practical for me to teach someone all about computing as the cost would be too high. Generally, I just get people started & help them along if & when they get stuck as needed ... "learning how to learn" is the key.
One major advantage is working on your own PC (& on the exact same version of the program ... which you would be if we're teaching you). It's all well & good going to evening classes but there's a good chance that they'd be working on a different version of the program (or even a different version of Windows). While that isn't a real problem once you have an idea of what you're doing, when you're just starting out it can be unbelievably frustrating. How we use computers & what we do with them outside the work environment has changed substantially in the last few years. For many people now (ignoring Email & Facebook), their PC provides most of their entertainment, allows them to learn pretty much anything to any level & best of all it's all at your own pace.
A major factor when you're learning your way around is having the confidence to have a go. Having someone to help you with those first (or third) steps can make an enormous difference
in building the basic competence which will lead to the necessary confidence to tackle something new.
I actually have a few customers who have me come out to their homes/work every 3 to 6 months just to check on these very things. It's really not hard to do yourself & writing it all down means you don't even have to remember it all (although you probably will after a few times).
If you're starting from scratch (or someone you're trying to teach from scratch is just getting grumpy with you) don't be put off, as we work at a pace that suits the student & will suggest tried & trusted ways to easily recall what to do at a much later date.
For example if you have a weak password or use the same password for everything (you know who you are) you may get away with it. On the other hand you may not & getting locked out of your email account by a hacker can be way more than inconvenient.
Email
These days email is a fundamental part of our working & home life. There are 2 basic ways to access your email, choosing the right way (for you) will greatly ease the process.
Generally these days there's a free version of many (if not most) commercial programs & I tend to use a lot of these myself, however even I shell out for a good paid for antivirus rather than chancing my luck with a free 1 ..... (my thought being I've done pretty much all I can to protect myself & if things do go wrong I'm not going to be doing a 'Shoulda woulda coulda') Here are a list of the (non geeky) programs i have installed on my Windows 10.
Once again, there are several ways to set up your PC to make the learning experience easier & I do know what I'm talking about ... I got an Honors degree in computer science never having used a PC 2 months before I started the course. Learning how to learn really pays off in the long run.
What could you learn?
Things you should really already know
- How to backup your PC (& how to check that the backup is actually working).
- How to check your anti-virus is working properly.
- How to check your Windows updates are going through.
- How to join a wireless network.
- Adding & removing programs.
- Adding a printer.
I actually have a few customers who have me come out to their homes/work every 3 to 6 months just to check on these very things. It's really not hard to do yourself & writing it all down means you don't even have to remember it all (although you probably will after a few times).
If you're starting from scratch (or someone you're trying to teach from scratch is just getting grumpy with you) don't be put off, as we work at a pace that suits the student & will suggest tried & trusted ways to easily recall what to do at a much later date.
Getting around on your PC
- How & where to organise your stuff (technical term).
- How to search for things on your computer.
- Differences between Copy, Cut & Paste & the various ways to do & use them.
- Adding User accounts & setting/changing passwords.
- Good choices for passwords.
- Setting up your PC so everything is just how you want it.
- Understanding the basic terminology.
For example if you have a weak password or use the same password for everything (you know who you are) you may get away with it. On the other hand you may not & getting locked out of your email account by a hacker can be way more than inconvenient.
- Webmail (like Gmail/Hotmail)
- Email Clients (like Outlook/Thunderbird/Windows Mail).
Security
Basic Security needs to be in place & constantly working to protect you on your PC. Things like ...- An up to date Antivirus.
- A sensible password strategy (that means not reusing passwords - a BAD idea).
- A back up strategy (periodically checked to see it's actually working).
Office Suites
Office suites are collections of programs that let you do word processing, spread sheets & presentations.- Microsoft Office is commercial software which comes in 4 basic flavours, you can purchase a yearly subscription (Office 365) or buy it outright (Home & Student, Home & Business or Professional)
- Libre Office & Open Office are both 'open source' office suites that are available for free.
Everyday Programs
Chances are you already have a list of your favorite programs & when you get a new PC it'll be time to put them all on (unless you've bought the PC from me in which case you should be all ready to go :))Generally these days there's a free version of many (if not most) commercial programs & I tend to use a lot of these myself, however even I shell out for a good paid for antivirus rather than chancing my luck with a free 1 ..... (my thought being I've done pretty much all I can to protect myself & if things do go wrong I'm not going to be doing a 'Shoulda woulda coulda') Here are a list of the (non geeky) programs i have installed on my Windows 10.
- Open Office (free) - a program that is a very good alternative Microsoft Office (paid for). For documents, spreadsheets, presentations etc.
- GIMP (free) - picture editing program with all the bells & whistles (it's pretty complex but very powerful), Adobe Photoshop being the commercial (popular) equivalent.
- Opera web browser (free) - does what the other browsers do (plus about 100 little features that make it invaluable).
- Adobe Reader DC (free) - opens PDF documents & is WAY better than Microsoft's built in PDF reader Adobe also do a 'Pro' version which allows you to edit PDFs.
- Eset Internet Security (paid for) - in my opinion (& most of my customers') by far the best anti-virus (& No I don't get any commission).
- Synctoy - a free program from Microsoft that synchronises the files in any 2 folders (can be on a different hard drive or even a different PC if on the same network).
- VLC - a free video player (there's only 1 type of video I've come across that it wouldn't play automatically .... & that was a really obscure web cam output).
Specialist Programs
The speed of new PC based innovations is astounding. New technology becomes available & people bend it to their specialist field. Whatever your field of interest, there are bound to be a few specialist programs that catch your eye. Once you've found your feet (as it were) on your PC, it's just a case of picking a subject, doing a bit of on-line research to see which of the available programs is most suitable (or most suitable to get your feet wet) & having a go. I have found Google searches & You Tube videos to be the best helpers, as opposed to the traditional "How to" or "Blah for Idiots" type books, but to each their own way.Once again, there are several ways to set up your PC to make the learning experience easier & I do know what I'm talking about ... I got an Honors degree in computer science never having used a PC 2 months before I started the course. Learning how to learn really pays off in the long run.