Broadband for Seniors

CPSA Dapto Seniors' runs its own broadband kiosk (#964) offering free computer and Internet lessons to members (the only thing we would ask is that participants give a gold coin donation to cover the cost of the phone line rental and perhaps the preparation of handouts etc).

The club has two NEC computers funded by the Federal government under their Broadband for Seniors Scheme and individual tuition is offered in one hour blocks.

The classes cover a range of skill levels from absolute beginners to people who have a basic understanding of computers and the Internet and can be tailored to an individual's particular needs.

For 2012 we have been granted higher download capacity and a faster connection. Our computers will also have many more superb programs for demonstration and training. Now you can bring your own laptop and connect it to our modem so you can learn about your own computer and receive personal instruction on the same machine that you use at home.

Topics covered:

Some examples of the topics covered are:

All the basic skills such as using the mouse, the 'Windows' desktop, using a ‘browser’, setting up an email account etc.
Find and move files on your computer.
Basic word processing and/or spreadsheets.
Sending and receiving emails. How to send and receive ‘attachments’. Send your photographs to friends and relatives.
Searching the Internet for programs, information, businesses and web sites and how to download or ‘bookmark’ this information for easy access in the future.
The principles of on-line shopping, newsletter groups, WiFi, ‘Googling’, ‘hotspots’, FAQs and more...
The importance of anti virus software and an active firewall.
Where/how to get excellent, useful but free programs quite legally - you need never pay for a piece of software again.
Save, catalogue and edit your digital photos.
Create and copy CDs and DVDs.
Skype - talk to someone anywhere in the world for free.
‘Rip’ music from your CD collection for your MP3 player or mobile phone .

This is only a small selection of the one on one tuition available but everything is designed around your particular needs. Questions are encouraged, in fact compulsory :)

Dapto Library

Members are reminded that Dapto Library has free Internet connected computers available for library members to book, They also have a free WiFi 'Hot Spot' which enables you to connect your own laptop to their internet. These facilities are next door to the Seniors' Heininger House and is a council facility well worth taking advantage of.

Help Files:

We have a number of useful instruction sheets available for members including:

What can I do...	A directory of some of the things you can do with your computer and the Internet. Definitively not a definitive list.
Open Office Help	Some useful tips for those starting word processing using the excellent, free Open Office Suite.
Cut and Paste	Step by step instructions on using Windows shortcut keys to manipulate text and files. Something every Windows user should be aware of.
Free Software	A catalogue of the 'freeware' programs available on the club's Really Useful Programs CD. Members can take a copy of specific programs on their own memory stick or burn the whole lot to their own CD. All the programs on this disk can be freely and legally distributed.
New User Password Reminder	A template sheet for the kiosk to save a user's password and login details for their tutor account and Gmail account. Designed to be duplex printed and then cut into two A5 sheets.
Using Windows Explorer	A guide to the main features of Windows Explorer. To help you to unlock full potential of this Microsoft program to enable you to maintain your computer's files and folders exactly as you want them. (Work in Progress)

These leaflets are downloadable as PDF flies by clicking on the links above - to save them right click on the link then click on "Save Link as..." or "Save Target as..." in the context menu.

Last Updated - 06 April 2012

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