The Virtual Classroom
Looking for an online class? The following is a list of free technology-related classes that can be found on the Internet. A new class is added every few weeks. Most of the classes included in the list are self-guided tutorials, but be sure to check out the Scheduled Classes as well.
Basic Computer Literacy for Adults - From the Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center. Includes what a computer can do, the pieces of a computer system, safety and comfort, the mouse and desktop, menus, windows, an introduction to applications, word processing, and email and the Internet. (Note: Each part ends in an exercise. After completing the exercise, click back to the first page to begin a new part of the tutorial.) Added 4/19/05.
Blogs
Of Blogs and Bloggers - A brief, free tutorial from Learn The Net. Explains what blogging is and directs you to sources for finding blogs or setting up your own blog.
Burn
Your Own Customized Audio CDs - Directions for creating a customized
music CD using Windows Media Player 11 and Windows Vista. Or,
click here for directions using Windows Media Player and Windows XP.
Cascading Style Sheets Tutorials - From Free Computer Tutorials. Includes an introduction to cascading style sheets, how to set up a style sheet, formatting text, adding borders and background color, and more.
Cleaning Your Computer
Keep a Clean Keyboard - From PC World. Includes instructions for basic cleaning plus intensive care for the truly dirty keyboard.
Connecting Cables
No More Cable Confusion - From PC World. A paragraph of introduction followed by an illustration that shows a variety of connectors and tells what they are for and where they plug into the back of the computer.
Cut/Copy and Paste
Cut and Paste Basics - From Compu-KISS, a computer consulting and training company. A short and simple (but effective) tutorial, in keeping with the philosophy of the company owner.
Learning 2.0 and Del.icio.us - From the Otter Group. Scroll down to Featured Podcast. This 8 minute podcast tutorial explains how to use the social bookmarking service Del.icio.us for learning. Opens in Quick Time Player.
Dewey Decimal Classification
Dewey Decimal Classification - From OCLC. This animated tutorial teaches the basics of the Dewey Decimal System, which is used to classify and categorize knowledge. Flash player is required. A link is provided for download.
Digital Photography
About Digital Cameras - A series of tutorials by Kodak. Includes choosing a camera, using the controls, taking care of your camera, accessories, and more.
Digital Cameras Help and Tips - From the MalekTips site. A very thorough set of instructions and tips. Everything from buying a digital camera to taking pictures of fall foliage and fireworks to backup and printing.
Downloading
Sued for Downloading? - Before you download music or video files to your computer, read Bob Rankin's article. It discusses the possibilities of getting caught and how to download legally and safely.
eBay
How to Buy and How to Sell - eBay offers a variety of ways to learn how to buy and sell on eBay, including seminars in several U.S. cities and an online class available for $19.95. The links above, however, are to eBay's free tutorials.
SoYouWanna use eBay (and not get ripped off)? - SoYouWanna.com is home to some of the most annoying advertising on the Web. In spite of that, this tutorial is worth the trouble. It is clearly written in understandable terms, easy to navigate, and covers aspects of eBay not covered in eBay's own tutorials. (See above.)
E-mail-at-a-Glance - A free tutorial from Learn the Net.com. A very complete tutorial including why use email, how it works, finding email addresses, email etiquette, reading and replying to messages, sending and opening attachments, using an address book, and more. Addresses concerns such as reliability, privacy, and error messages. Easy to follow. Illustrated.
Evaluating Web Pages
Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask - From UC Berkeley. Part of the Finding Information on the Internet tutorial. Trains your eye in a series of techniques that help you quickly find what you need to know about web pages. Trains your mind to think critically, even suspiciously, by asking a series of questions that will help you decide how much a web page is to be trusted
Excel
Charts I: How to Create a Chart - From the Microsoft Office Training website. This online course teaches you to create a chart in Excel using the Chart Wizard. It includes downloadable practice exercises and self tests. It is based on Excel 2003, but the chart wizard is little changed from previous versions.
Faxing with Your Computer
Faxing in Windows XP - From the Microsoft Office Training website. This online course gives step-by-step directions for installing and using Windows XP's built-in fax service.
Firewalls
Home PC Firewall Guide - A series of pages that provide basic information about Internet security and privacy products for home, telecommuter, and small office end-users. Also includes independent, third-party reviews of many products. In addition to personal firewalls, there are sections on security freeware, security suites, and anti-trojan, anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-spam programs.
Roadmap to FrontPage 2003 training - Topics include creating a website, graphics, tables, cascading style sheets, hyperlinks, working with code, and publishing your site. From Microsoft, creator of FrontPage.
Genealogy
Finding Your Ancestors - From Brigham Young University. Includes how to use the FamilySearch website and the online Family History Library Catalog. Also teaches you to create pedigree charts on the family tree program Personal Ancestral File (available free from the FamilySearch website).
Hijacked Pages
Hijacked! - From GeekGirls. "Browser hijacking is the use of scripting tools to modify your browser’s default settings. This may be as trivial as adding a new link to your Links or Favorites or as unconscionable as changing your home page persistently via a combination of scripting, registry changes and auto-running programs." This tutorial offers step-by-step directions for reclaiming your browser if you've been hijacked.
Home Networking from Ask Bob Rankin. Explains how to set up a home network so all computers in the house can share files, a printer, and an Internet connection. If you opt for a wireless network, don't miss Bob's step-by-step instructions for Wireless Security.
Identity Theft
Police Notebook: Identity Theft - From the University of Oklahoma Police Department. How to prevent identity theft and what to do if you are a victim. Includes online scams.
Inkjet Cartridges - Replace or Refill? - From Ask Bob Rankin. Are these cheaper refillable cartridges your best bet? This tutorial examines the price, convenience and quality tradeoffs you must consider when deciding whether to replace, refill or stick with the manufacturer's brand of inkjet cartridges.
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP SP2 - A 3-minute online video from CNET.com on the new features to be found in IE 7. Reviews the new browser and compares it to Opera and Firefox.
Keyboard Tutorial - Created by Chris Rippel of the Central Kansas Library System. This tutorial lets you click on the keys of an onscreen keyboard to find out what they are called and what they do. Incorporates physical practice with many of the keys.
Word Macros - From "The Office Letter: Tips and Tricks for Microsoft Office". A macro is a recorded set of commands used to get repetitive work done quickly. This three-part article will show you the basics of creating, running, and changing a macro in Word 97, 2000, and 2002 (aka XP).
Mail Merge Labels with Word XP - A tutorial by Graham Mayor, newsgroup junkie and Microsoft MVP. A pictorial walkthrough of the salient points of Word's redesigned mail merge tool.
Microsoft Works
Microsoft Works Modules - From Internet4Classrooms.com, a website that helps teachers use the Internet effectively. Modules include becoming familiar with the buttons and the menus, using the tool palette, creating a flyer, and several on creating a database.
Microsoft Works for Windows Spreadsheet Instructions - From Guilford County Schools, NC. Clearly written and heavily illustrated.
Mouse Skills
Mouserobics - Created by Chris Rippel of the Central Kansas Library System. This tutorial incorporates physical practice in moving and clicking a mouse with an introduction to radio buttons, check boxes, drop-down menus, scrolling, scroll-bar menus, pop-up windows, filling in online forms, and copying and pasting text.
Internet Skills
Bare Bones 101: A Basic Tutorial on Searching the Web - From the library of the University of South Carolina at Beaufort. This 17-step, self-paced tutorial covers the various types of search engines, evaluation of Web pages, and search strategies and techniques. It also takes a look at a few specific search engines. Clearly written and easy to use.
«Office Ribbon
Use the Ribbon - A Microsoft tutorial on the new Office 2007 interface.
The biggest advantage to MS Paint is that it is free. It comes with Windows operating systems. It is a simple little graphics program, which makes it easy to learn. And you will be surprised what you can do with it.
Lakewood Public Library Presents: Microsoft Paint! - A good basic tutorial, this is a great place to start if you want to learn to use Paint.
A Tutorial in the Basics of Using MS Paint - This very complete tutorial takes you through all aspects of using Paint. It can also be printed out in a compact 13-page format.
Patent Search
Patent Search Tutorial - From the Shreyer Business Library of Pennsylvania State University. This is actually a set of tutorials that detail the complex process of patent searching. Several different patent search techniques are covered.
How to Create Your Own Podcast - A Step-by-Step Tutorial - From Corey Deitz, your Guide to Radio at About.com. Learn what a podcast is, how to record one, how to create an RSS feed (an essential part of the process), and how to upload and validate your podcast.
What is RSS (Really Simple Syndication)? - A clear explanation of RSS, with links to definitions of other technical terms, from wiseGEEK.
RSS in Plain English - A 3½ minute video on what RSS is and how to get started by Lee LeFever of the Common Craft Show.
Scanners
How To Use A Scanner - An AARP How-to Guide. Includes a discussion of the two main types of scanners, basic operating instructions, previewing, resolution, and scanning options. Defines TWAIN and OCR.
What Is
Second Life? - Learn more about this virtual world, from Ask Bob
Rankin.
Home Computer Security - From CERT® Coordination Center, a center of Internet security expertise located at the Software Engineering Institute, a federally funded research and development center operated by Carnegie Mellon University. A thorough and easily understood tutorial on home computer security. Covers viruses, patches, firewalls, backups, passwords, downloading precautions, and more.
Slides
Converting your Slides into Digital Form - From TASI: the Technical Advisory Service for Images. A brief tutorial on converting 35 mm slides into a digital format that can be stored and viewed on your computer.
Turning Your Computer On and Off
Start/Stop Your Computer from Compu-Kiss Tutorials. Steps and tips for the new computer user plus a word on the leave it on/turn it off controversy.
Alfatyping - A free online typing tutorial. Registration is required. Click on the Demo link in the menu bar across the top to see how it works.
Self Taught Typing - A simple but effective set of lessons: 15 for typing text and 5 additional lessons for typing numbers. Also includes an illustrated manual. No login required.
VCR Repair Instruction, "The Self Service Website" - A one-stop source for VCR repair tips, parts, and repair instruction. Includes a huge model-number-specific VCR repair database.
VoIP
Quick Start VoIP.com - A website all about VoIP. Clearly written. Follow the links (mostly within the text) for tons of information, but watch out for the ads.
Internet Phones: CNET Editors' Guide to VoIP - Learn all about Internet calling: What it is, how it works, what's good about it and what is not. Includes product reviews and a video tutorial.
Web Development
Web Building Tutorial - From W3 Schools. A clear and succinct tutorial on building a website. Includes basic information on the World Wide Web, web design, web users, standards, validation, security, and more.
Web
2.0 how-to design guide...and how not to - From Ben Hunt of
Scratchmedia,
a UK Web consulting firm. Describes various common graphic
design elements in modern web ("2.0") design style and explains why
they work as well as how, when, and where you might use each element
in your designs.
Wikis in Plain English - A 3½ minute video explaining what a Wiki is and how to start one, by Lee LeFever of the Common Craft Show.
Windows Picture and Fax Viewer
Windows Tips: Windows' Hidden Image Viewer - A PC World column explaining the useful, little-known features of the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer. Don't be too quick to dismiss this little utility. Some of its best features--like a tool to print multiple pictures on a single page--are hidden beneath its seemingly simple interface.
Up to Speed with Word 2007--a 40-minute tutorial on the new version of Word focusing on the new ribbon interface.
Works
See Microsoft Works
HP Online Courses - Hewlett-Packard offers a variety of online classes including topics such as digital photography, buying and selling on eBay, Excel, Firewalls, and more. Classes, which span several weeks and are instructor-led, are free, but students must register.
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