DC-area Macintosh classes in July
David L. Harris
offering the following tutorials for the Macintosh, in addition to the
summer camp (more information on the camp can be found at
<http://www.wap.org/events/computercamp.html>). These classes are all
held at the WAP office at 12022 Parklawn Drive in Rockville, Maryland.
Class attendees will have hands-on experience with each class. You do
not have to bring your own computer.
For JULY 1999:
Introduction to Macintosh:
You'll learn: how to safely turn your Macintosh on and off; basic dos
and don'ts; how to understand common Macintosh terminology found in
manuals and other documentation; and how the basic components of your
Macintosh system, hardware and software work. You'll also learn why the
Macintosh user interface is consistent across all applications and how
this makes learning and using software easier. Understand the finer
points of the Menu Bar; Error Messages, Dialog Boxes, Icons, Folders,
Keyboard Shortcuts, Scrapbook, and Clipboard will be discussed. You'll
learn the basics of installing software, as well as use of the Chooser
and peripheral devices.
Intermediate Macintosh:
More advanced Macintosh skills and terminology: using, installing, and
updating System files; about managing memory, hard disk space, fonts,
sounds and other resources; the Apple menu, aliases, launching
applications, inter-application communications (Publish and Subscribe),
and Balloon Help. You'll also learn how to buy hardware and software,
how to upgrade, and what kinds of software are available for your
Macintosh. Topics may include: organizing and managing your hard disk;
backing up information and backup strategies, archiving, disk
formatting, defragmentation and optimization; managing start-up
resources; avoiding conflicts and incompatibilities; virus protection;
memory management; upgrading or replacing the operating system; system
enhancements; customizing software installation; cleaning your mouse;
and Macintosh "housekeeping" philosophies.
Introduction to Microsoft Word for Office 98:
This class will introduce the student to the fundamentals of the
Microsoft
Word for Office 98 word processing software package. The course is
designed
for those with very limited or no previous knowledge of Word. Topics
that
will be covered include: reviewing the screen elements of a basic new
Word
document (the standard and formatting toolbars and the menu bar);
setting
default options such as spell checking and document editing choices,
default
font selection that are applied to a basic document; creating, editing,
saving and deleting a simple Word document; using the on line help
function;
simple formatting using tabs and setting margins; creating a simple
table;
and reviewing pre-defined templates such as the letter template that are
included in Word.
Introduction to Microsoft Excel for Office 98:
This class will start by covering opening, saving and retrieving an
Excel
workbook, and then will discuss definitions of a workbook, a worksheet,
and
a cell. Next we will review the objects on a typical worksheet screen
including those items on the menu bar, the standard toolbar, and the
status
bar. The student will then be assisted in creating a simple Excel
worksheet
that will be used to teach the concepts of entering, editing,
formatting,
and deleting data (text, number, time, date, and formula) in a cell,
along
with learning techniques on how to navigate within the worksheet and
between
worksheets. Other topics for which the student created worksheet will be
used are for: inserting and manipulating rows and columns, creating
basic
formulas of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in a
worksheet using the function wizard, adding comments to a cell, using
the
fill command to enter a data series, making the screen easier to view
using
splitting and column header freezing techniques, adding, deleting and
naming
worksheets within a workbook, and creating headers and footers printing
of
selected cells and an entire workbook. Finally, we will create basic
charts
using pie and bar charts as examples, and will wrap up by discussing
worksheet style techniques along with reviewing the set of workbook
options
in the tools menu.
Introduction to Quicken:
Course will be an introduction to Personal use of Quicken, and will
cover the following: Entering Accounts, Use of Quickfill, Split
Transactions, Categories, Writing Checks, Preferences, Passwords, Help,
Reconciling Accounts, Reconciliation Report, Credit Card Accounts,
Transferring Money. If time permits, or the class prefers to emphasize
it, we will demonstrate online banking and bill paying.
Introduction to Adobe Illustrator:
This course will cover the basics of vector graphics, drawing straight
lines, curves, and shapes, tracing images, using paint tools, working
with layers, and creating and editing text.
Adobe Photoshop:
This two-part class covers the basics of bitmap graphics, the tools
palette, preferences, layers, clipping paths, and basic menus such as
fill and feathering, plus use of the plug-in filters, scanning,
exporting files for use in other applications, and more on layers,
channels, and paths.
Introduction to MovieWorks:
Learn how this software works in a hands-on session. We will make a
"movie" that brings in several pictures, adds titles, has narration and
an animation and transitions between pictures. We will then make
QuickTime movies that can be played on a computer and over the
Internet. The instructor will demonstrate how to digitize a movie on a
computer with a video capture card and how to record from the computer
to a VCR. We will discuss how to add video capture and video out
capabilities to your computer. We will also discuss how to optimize
your system to make the best possible movies with MovieWorks. Students
are invited to bring their own pictures to be put into their MovieWorks
projects.
Computer Crafting:
An informal class in a flexible format to help students combine regular
art
and craft skills with their computer. This combination will open many
new
doors for some, and make life easier for others. This will not be a
class to
teach a specific skill; rather it will teach how to open your creative
spirit. Students are invited to bring clip art, graphic applications and
projects to class. Instead of showing you new software you have to buy,
this
class is structured to help you get the best use out of software you
own.
Learn how to create stencils, templates, silk screens, sponge patterns,
etc.
Using new ink jet media you can make elegant faux stained glass,
personalized gifts, animated greeting cards, elegant wall hangings,
memory books and quilts, jewelry, games, etc.
Internet:
In this two session class we will discuss choosing, installing,
configuring, and customizing an Internet browser including the use of
popular plug-ins. Students will learn how to use search engines to find
sites and information. They will learn how to organize, edit and share
bookmark files. Newsgroup and listserv subscriptions will be discussed
and students will learn how to download, upload and deal with Internet
files.
For additional information including fees and class schedules, here are
ways to contact us:
Telephone ... WAP Office 301-984-0300 (best Mon, Wed, Fri)
E-mail ...... off...@wap.org
Web ......... http://www.wap.org/classes/