Beginner Windows 9x/XP
 4 session course
Topics include an introduction to all parts of the computer, learning about the desktop, mouse features and operation, and features and operation of the keyboard. Also creating shortcut icons, using recycle bin, wallpaper and screen savers, toolbars and taskbars, drag and drop, using window features (minimize, maximize, resize, etc), control panel, accessing the different drives, and more. There is always time for questions and general exploration.

Intermediate Windows 9x/XP
 4 session course
Topics include organization of windows programs, creating and organizing folders, file extensions, saving files from Internet, folder and file views, formatting floppy disks, installing programs, download programs from Internet, HTML email, uninstall vs delete, scandisk and defrag, email attachments, and more. There is always time for questions and general exploration.

Advanced Windows 9x/XP
 4 session course
Topics include a review of the management of folders and files, an introduction to photo manipulation, introduction to web page creation, using the sound recorder, attaching recordings to emails, introduction to eyeball cams and Internet transmission, and an introduction to burning your own CDs. There is always time for questions and general exploration.

KCnet Users Group:  (formerly know as  "Senior Net Learners" most recently called "Advanced Class").  I  wanted to call this class "The Abusers Group", but Sue would not hear of that.  Attendees are persistent in their search for computer knowledge.  They ask great questions and present interesting challenges.  The cost for this class is $0.00 for members of KCnet and $2.00 per session for non KCnet members.  There is no set format for the sessions.  Occasionally we will take a specific subject and do a detailed study over a period of successive weeks.  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  The folks that have been attending for awhile are always happy for a review and in most cases new or better ways to do things will surface.  Questions stimulate in-depth exploration with the usual result being an understanding of how and why.
We welcome new attendees from the Advanced sessions and our forever growing KCnet membership.  This is an advanced group and we cover a lot of territory. We are kind of free flowing.  You never know what will transpire.
It is not necessary for attendees to have their own computers but it sure helps with the learning curve.
KCnet Advanced Class computer knowledge and Advanced Class computer skills are necessary.

OTHER CLASSES:
CLICK HERE FOR ORIENTATION - BEGINNERS - INTERMEDIATE - ADVANCED
CLICK HERE FOR SCANNING - MAC- GENEALOGY - WEB PAGE - EXCEL - WORD - DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY - PHOTO MANIPULATION - OTHER SPECIALTIES

... we viewed the Google Video site again and downloaded the Google Video player.  We viewed a very good animated music video found by Jon Ahrens.  Take a look http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5503582578132361295&pl=true   (you will want to download the google video player because it is much faster to play the Google videos from Windows instead of the streaming feature done when on site.  Once the player is on your hard drive you can save the Google Videos to your hard drive and then play them.)

... discussed the latest phishing scams, hacks, fixes and patches.

... viewed .wmv creations from the minds and hands of Jon Ahrens, Sue Clements, and Wayne Smith.  The presentations were very good and were created with the Microsoft program called Photo Story 3.  We previously  reviewed this program four weeks ago.  The program can be downloaded from Microsoft at: 
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx

... explored many freebie programs these past few weeks:
They include:
System Information for Windows Run the executable, and in a few seconds this little utility will tell you more than you could imagine about your computer's hardware, operating system, installed programs, and so on. What you do with that information is up to you--the tool doesn't offer diagnoses or advice.
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,62604,00.asp

Google Desktop Harness the power of the Internet's most popular search engine on your own PC. Google Desktop indexes nearly every document on your hard drive and then includes those files in your Google searches. A sidebar displays information modules that you select, such as current news, updated items from recently visited sites, and local weather.
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,124691,00.asp

Bartleby Like a reference library, Bartleby is home to several sources, including a dictionary, an encyclopedia, and various books of quotations. It offers audio pronunciations of words, a feature you have to pay for at other dictionary sites.
http://bartleby.com/

WriteBoard For collaborative editing, you can't beat WriteBoard. It lets you create, edit, and share documents with others--directly in your browser. You can even compare versions to see changes.
http://www.writeboard.com/

WordWeb is a cut-down version of the WordWeb Pro that is free for personal use. It includes a comprehensive English thesaurus and dictionary, and can be used to look up words from within most programs. Features of the free version include:  Definitions and synonyms  --  Proper nouns -- Related words -- Pronunciations -- 140 000 root words -- 115 000 synonym sets -- Look up words in almost any program 
*Jim Linn found this dandy program for us.
http://www.download.com/3000-2079_4-10003201.html
 

This class often becomes idea swapping and we learn by sharing our many experiences and I'll tell you all again, that really happened this week.
Thanks to all that brought in suggestions, asked questions, and helped with explanations.

Music Creation
Starting when four students register--call 893-8111 to register.
Participants should be able to play a piano/keyboard by sight or ear.
Instructors: Carsten "Jon" Ahrens & Mike Foust

Orientation to KCnet
One-Session Class – No Charge for KCnet Members
Third Wednesday of Every Month 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Instructor:  Bob Fenton

MAC User Group
Meets 2nd Wednesday of each month
Time is 4:30 PM
Instructor:  Clair Falls

For more class details and to register visit: http://www.kcnet.org/class/
Registration can be done online, simply click on the course you are interested in and enter the information requested.  Registration can be done via phone 893-8111.

In response to a survey, 20 percent of respondents said the Internet has greatly improved the way they get information about healthcare.  Respondents also reported they found great improvement in doing their jobs (24 percent), shopping (32 percent), and pursuing interests and hobbies (33 percent) thanks to the Internet.

Men and women found the Internet equally useful for doing their jobs and for shopping; the report said about a third of male and female respondents said the Internet has improved that "a lot." Women found the Internet most useful for finding healthcare information than men did, while more men than women said the Internet improved their personal pursuits.

Well, aren’t we surprised that more women use the Internet for healthcare and more men use it for “personal pursuits”???  The real reason for quoting the above information is so I can tell you that besides the normal classes to make computer use easier, KCnet is helping with a Senior Citizen’s session for Medicare signup.  Local Senator John Wozniak and the Office of Aging are sponsoring the workshop to be conducted from 10 AM to 2 PM, May 9, at Saint Agnes Church Parish Center.  KCnet’s wireless service manager Ron Calhoun will be setting up Internet service for the 4-hour workshop and we’re also supplying one of the 3 computers and printers.

Other news: two more of the KCnet Technicians have passed their full A+ certification.  Ron Calhoun and Steve Stewart have both earned A+ certificates.  Tim Snyder was the first to take and successfully pass, 2 weeks ago.  This is a big accomplishment, culminating over 3 months of studies and practice.

And, as a last bit of news, KCnet, as a test center for a Cisco Certificate, hosted its first “outsider” for a test today.  The person drove 2 hours to take the Cisco Certification test.
KCnet is now a certified test center for Pearson VUE, the respected center for certification of all tests.  There’s a list of about 100 different tests that we can administer at our Lock Haven office, including many medical, business management, financial, and technological businesses, organizations and systems.  Yours truly is the certified proctor for the KCnet testing center.

Until next week... !

KCnet Board Of Directors:   Officers are President Bill Raco, Vice President Bob Rolley, Secretary Jon Ahrens,  Treasurer Don Miller and Past President Judy Yoho.   Other members of the board are Carolyn Carl, R.  Keith Kelly, Paul Korn, Donna Lannan, Amy Lapriola, Tom Livingston,  Ray McGill, and Rich Wykoff.