Some of our members prefer a less structured type of class. If
you have just have a couple of questions or issues about a particular program
try out one of our forums. These are less structured than the SIGs and are
more of a round table discussion group. Participation by everyone attending
our forums is highly encouraged.
If you are an active member and happen to see someone sporting
a "visitor" badge, please extend a warm greeting and thank him or her for
taking time to visit us.
Registration for all other SIGs is by e-mail only,
directly to the SIG leader. Class schedules and SIG leader contacts are
updated in the Monitor every month. If you are unfamiliar with accessing the
web; don’t know how to send e-mails; or don’t have a computer, call the SIG
leader. SIG leader phone numbers are listed on page 3 of the PC Monitor.
The easiest way to register for a course is to use
the SPCUG website. It assures you of having the most up-to-date information.
To do so:
Because of limited space and seating, please do not just
"show up" at a SIG without pre-registering. Doing so only creates a difficult
situation for SIG leaders and for members who have registered properly.
Visitors are welcome to attend all SIGs on the General
Meeting Night, but they must also wear a "Visitors Badge" obtainable at the
Badge Table.
Entering Classrooms and Campus Rules.
To ensure that SPCUG members do not inadvertently disrupt the Sarasota
County Technical Institute (SCTI) classes in progress, SCTI has requested that
SPCUG members refrain from entering SIG course classrooms until the class in
session is dismissed. Please note that we must respect both SCTI as well as
Sarasota Middle School regulations, including security rules, fire laws, no
smoking areas, and all requests from the custodian. Please park only in
non-reserved areas.
The following Forums are open to members and visitors. They
require no registration; however, you need to wear your member badge or obtain
a "Visitors Badge" obtainable at the Badge Table before entering.
Photoshop “Wizards” - Room 301
5:15 - 6:15 May 7 and June 4
A Forum that is limited to members who are actively using
Adobe Photoshop to process their digital images. Attendees are expected to
participate and be able to share their insights and Photoshop techniques
with their fellow Forum members. The Moderator will reserve the right to
maintain a high level of discussion i.e. “rule” that some questions are out
of order or are more appropriate to be asked in another SIG or Forum and
thus not be addressed. Topics will vary from meeting to meeting.
Leader: Mike McNaughton
E-mail: mikemcn@worldnet.att.net
The Database Forum - Room 624
5:15 - 7:00p May 7 and June 4
A Forum, which will range from what to do when first opening
the package containing Microsoft Access to more advanced topics such as SQL,
Visual Basic for Applications and web based applications. Participants are
urged to bring their problems, projects they wish to discuss or share, or
things they wish to do to make data and information more organized and
available. Dr. Young has many years of experience using Access to solve a
wide variety of problems. We expect to have a wide-ranging series of topics
inspired by the needs of the attendees. Some examples can be found at <www.summitcomputingassociates.com>.
Leader: Bob Young, Ph.D.
E-mail: <ryoung19@tampabay.rr.com>
Phone: 941-725-0761
Quicken Forum - Room 626
5:15 - 5:50p May 7 and June 4
This Forum covers all aspects of the money Management
Program Quicken.
Leader: Dr. Saul Lowitt
E-mail: <saul_lowitt@hotmail.com>
Phone: 351-3422
Genealogy Forum
Enter Room 314 to Teachers Lounge
5:30 - 6:30p May 7 and June 4
This forum focuses on how you can use the computer to
research the lives of your ancestors. Each meeting will include a Q&A
session, followed by a demonstration of some genealogy-related website or
computer program
Leader: Steve Henkel
E-mail: <stevepipit@aol.com>
Phone: 371-2750 ext. 569
Digital Photography for Beginners/Intermediates Forum Room
303
5:30 - 6:55p May 7 and June 4
This forum covers all aspects of digital photography
including cameras, printers, image enhancement and associated hardware and
software. Bring your camera and photos for help with common problems. Learn
how to make and display good pictures.
Leader: Chuck Mason
E-mail: <mason@spcug.org>
Phone: 484-8127
Tech Support Forum - Room 314
5:55 - 6:55p May 7 and June 4
Discover your computer...from Novice to Expert. Ask and
learn all of the things you need to know. This is a class and an open
question forum. Anyone can attend, no need to reserve a seat.
Leader: Adam J. Richter M.S.
E-mail: <simple818@gmail.com>
Phone: 720-7950
Windows Vista for Beginners - Room 626
5:55 - 6:55p May 7 and June 4
A Forum designed with the Novice computer user in mind.
Making Vista do what you want it to do without frustration.
Leader: Bill Crowe
E-mail: <wtcrowe@verizon.net>
Phone: 921-6885
Windows - Room 627
5:55 - 6:55p May 7 and June 4
This forum deals with all versions of Windows except VISTA.
There will be some instruction but the forum is principally question, answer
and problem-solving. Windows components such as Outlook Express, Media
Player, WordPad, Control Panel are explored and explained.
Leader: Dr. Dean Ewalt
E-mail: <drdean@pobox.com>
Phone: 364-8900
New Member Orientation and Computer Help - Room 625
6:00 - 6:55p May 7 and June 4
If you are a new member or just a visitor and want to see
what SPCUG is all about, this is where you can find your answers. We’ll tell
you all about the classes that SPCUG gives and how you can enroll at no
cost, other than being a member of SPCUG. The leaders for this alternate
each month.
Leader: Phil Sorrentino
E-mail: <philsorr@yahoo.com>
Computer “Wizards” - Room 301
6:20 - 8:00 May 7 and June 4
A Forum that is limited to very Advanced or Expert computer
users. The Forum Moderator will be selected from among the participants on a
revolving basis. Because of the very advanced nature of the Group and
Discussion, the Moderator will reserve the right to maintain that high level
of discussion i.e. “rule” that some questions are out of order or are more
appropriate to be asked in another SIG or Forum and thus be addressed.
Topics will vary from meeting to meeting.
Leader: To be chosen on a revolving basis.
Photoshop Elements 5 - Room 303
7:00 - 8:00p May 7 and June 4
A beginning level forum with various aspects of Photoshop
Elements discussed.
Leader: Saul Lowitt Ph.D.
e-mail: <saul_lowitt@hotmail.com>
phone: 351-3422
Web Page Forum - Room 314
7:00 - 8:00p May 7 and June 4
This forum will address issues regarding the design of web
pages for those people who are already familiar with web page design.
Discussion will center on Microsoft Front Page as the editor.
Leader: Gene Mathes
E-mail: <mathes@orangeacres.net>
Phone: 927-2707
Adobe Photoshop - Room 624
7:00 - 8:00p May 7 and June 4
A Forum style session that will answer your Photoshop
Questions. Techniques, Tips and Tricks will also be featured.
Leader: Chris Hanrahan
E-mail: chinfl@comcast.net
All following SIGs require that you be a member and require
registration with the SIG leader. With the exception of Getting Started,
Basic 1, and Basic 2 the only way to register for a SIG is via e-mail.
Please review the section of these SIG Notes entitled “Registration for
SIGs”.
In order to provide our membership with a more comprehensive group of
classes for the beginning computer user, we are realigning our current
Getting Started and Basic classes as follows: Getting Started followed by
Basic 1, followed by Basic 2. These SIGs will all be four weeks, 1-1/2 hour
sessions. To attend a class you must have taken the previous class or
exhibit to the satisfaction of the SIG leader knowledge of the previously
taught material.
Getting Started
Getting started is series of classes geared for the absolute
beginner. This course will cover computer terminology, how to work with the
“windows” that is on your computer screen, and how to use a simple program
to type a message.
Date: May 10, 17, 24, 31
Day: Saturdays
Time: 10:45am - 12:15pm
Location: SCTI Bldg. 2, Room 201
Leader: Dr. Bob Thommes
E-mail: <srqrct@verizon.net>
Dates: May 13, 20, 27, June 3
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 12:00 - 1:30pm
Location: SCTI Bldg. 3, Room 310
Leader: Hope Hertz
E-mail: <hope1marty@aol.com>
Basic 1
Prior to taking Basic 1 you must have completed Getting
Started or exhibit to the satisfaction of the SIG leader a knowledge of the
previously taught material. Basic 1 will briefly review the information
taught in Getting Started, will stress additional word processing, will
introduce you to e-mailing and the internet, show you how to use the help
menus in Windows, and will introduce you to basic file management.
Date: May 10, 17, 24, 31
Day: Saturdays
Time: 9:00 - 10:30am
Location: SCTI Bldg. 2, Room 205
Leader: Jim Cerny
E-mail: <jcerny123@yahoo.com>
Basic 2
Prior to taking Basic 2 you must have completed Getting
Started and Basic 1 or exhibit to the satisfaction of the SIG leader
knowledge of the previously taught material. Basic 2 will continue with more
instruction on file management and the Internet; will cover computer
maintenance with regard to software (anti-virus, scandisk, defrag, etc.),
and will introduce you to backups and printing techniques.
Date: May 10, 17, 24, 31
Day: Saturdays
Time: 9:00 - 10:30am
Location: SCTI Bldg. 2, Room 201
Leader: Joanne Yorgensen
E-mail: <yogiefla@comcast.net>
PC Refurbishing Project
This is for the person who comprehends things of a technical
nature and is interested in community service. The goal of the project is to
refurbish donated computers and give them to Sarasota County not-for-profit
organizations and to residents who need a computer but cannot afford one.
Interested members will be invited to our workshop to observe what we do.
When training classes are to begin, interested members will be e-mailed the
time and location of the training. Some of the learning is self-directed and
you will be expected to refurbish computers in your home. It is necessary
for you to be a self-starter, and eventually contribute to others in the
Project as well as the community. E-Mail your request to Visit the
Refurbishing Workshop to:
Contact: Dave Winkelman
E-mail: <supermodified@comcast.net>
The following are a series of “Mini-SIGS” which are
primarily intended for the individuals who have recently completed the
“Getting Started”, Windows Basic I & II series of SIGS. In other words they
are intended for Novice users who wish to extend their computer expertise in
specific areas. They are single classes that are 1.5 hours in length. These
SIGS are not intended for Intermediate or Advanced Users unless indicated.
Registration can be either at the General Meeting or directly by contacting
the SIG Leader by e-mail on the web calendar. E-mail is the preferred
method. Name, Membership Number, e-mail address and phone number are
required for registration.
Practice Safe Computing
You might think the only safe way to use your computer is to
disconnect it from the Internet, but that defeats one of the primary reasons
for having a computer, namely communications. A better approach is to
“Practice Safe Computing”. Use all the protection you can, and be aware of
some of the pitfalls. This 1 session course will identify the unsafe areas,
and introduce you to the tools (some free software) and practices you need
to employ to ensure Safe Computing. It will also provide some insight into
computer security and privacy. This course is available only to those who
have successfully completed Basic 2 because it builds upon the concepts
discussed in that course. Registration is required, so be sure to include
your name, SPCUG number, e-mail address and phone number. Seating is limited
and no walk-ins are allowed. A confirmation notice will be sent when
complete information is received.
Date: May 17
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00 - 10:30am
Location: SCTI Bldg. 3, Room 310
Leader: Phil Sorrentino
E-mail: <philsorr@yahoo.com>
Creation of a BLOG as a Personal Web Site
This mini-SIG is a beginner course for creating a BLOG (Web
Log) to use as a personal web site. There are many other uses for a Blog,
which will not be covered in this class. This will cover setting up a Blog
for the first time and adding text, photos and videos. This type of Blog is
good for sharing photos and news with family and friends.
Date: May 24
Day: Saturday
Time: 10:45am - 12:15pm
Location: SCTI Bldg. 2, Room 205
Leader: Gene Mathes
E-mail: <mathes@orangeacres.net
>
Share the Wealth: Use a Home Network
You have a wealth of Entertainment and Information bottled
up in your computer. Install a Home Network and share that with others in
all the rooms of your home. This course will introduce you to wired and
wireless computer networks and show you how you can set one up in your own
home. Home networks allow multiple computers to simultaneously use a
broadband connection to access the Internet, and can allow those computers
to share multimedia files and printers on the network. Network components
and the “alphabet soup” of networking terms will be explored. Home
Networking used to be a complex undertaking, but modern routers and modems
have made the process quick and easy. Now the network is the computer, and
all of your multimedia files can be played at any network node, from any
network node. This course is available only to those who have successfully
completed Basic 2 because it builds upon the concepts discussed in that
course. Registration is required, so be sure to include your name, SPCUG
number, e-mail address and phone number. Seating is limited and no walk-ins
are allowed. A confirmation notice will be sent when complete information is
received.
Date: May 31
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00 - 10:30am
Location: SCTI Bldg. 3, Room 310
Leader: Phil Sorrentino
E-mail: <philsorr@yahoo.com> :
Return to previous page