One of the best things about friends, about the Internet, the library, and TV is that they offer tremendous help in problem solving as well as insight into learning. Here are some of our favorite places for casual yet informative reading and self-paced exercises for building computer skills. Each one is beautiful and/or entertaining, and offers a great opportunity for achievement! Enjoy!
OUR FAVORITE ~
Mr. Modem, (a/k/a Richard Sherman) has been a tremendous inspiration to us and multitudes of others through many mediums: books, TV, seminars and on the web. Mr. Modem's Internet Guide for Seniors, and Ask Mr. Modem offer a wealth of wisdom in answer to common computer questions in easy (and hilarious) question-and-answer format. And BEST OF ALL: His weekly newnsletter is a dream come true for anyone trying to understand the computer. And he provides personal answers to your most intriguing questions, when you subscribe! Unquestionably our overwhelmingly favorite computer-related author, expert, and support! Do yourself a favor, and subscribe TODAY!!
Periodicals ~
Course Technology's series of computer studies is the best we've ever seen! Not for "Dummies," although any moron could pick up these texts and be computing skillfully in days! With step-by-step instruction on the left page, and computer screens graphically depicted on the right, this resource is a winner! Available on campus at RCCC. ($20-$25)
PC World Magazine offers the widest spectrum of information, interaction, resource references, and quality reporting of what's the good, bad and the ugly in the technical marketplace on a monthly basis. If you're wondering which magazine to subscribe to, or even buy before boarding a plane, this would be our choice! (N/A)
Websites ~
Rose's Eclectic Garden is an awesome site for web graphics. If you've ever thought of doing a website, this is the place for you. Rose Thomas is not only a great graphics designer, she's a tremendous individual as well! It's the only place we'd go for graphics and advice when setting up a site on the Internet. Check out her gorgeous designs! (Ultra-reasonable to free)
Lissa Explains it All! Talk about doing your own website! Here's an online tutorial in HTML, written by a 13-year-old! Featured on Oprah Winfrey and CNN, Lissa, her tutorial and web presence are phenomenal! We printed out and used this resource for the creation of our site, and it even beats the texts used on campus. You'll have to see it to believe it! (Free)
RCCC offers certified online courses for those continuing ed students who want to work at home or cannot come on campus. A great service for those who need it. (Don't put us out of a job, though, ok?) :o)
Thirdage has a super learning site for online lessons in several topics, including Windows. Select the topic of your choice, and sign up. They'll email you lessons every few days, and it takes only 15-20 minutes to work through them at your leisure. And best of all, you know, it's . . .(Free!)
Whatis has nearly every computer term ever used, and a good glossary is essential if you want to know what you're talking about (or at least pronounce it correctly). This is a great site, and the price is right! (Free!)
CD/Video Learning ~
Mavis Beacon can't be beat if you want to build your keyboarding skills. Nothing boring about Mavis! The format is an entertaining and fun-filled CD at various levels (we use Level 5), moving at a very comfortable pace, with interactive exercises and games. Available at most office superstores ($10-$20)
Video Professor can teach you most any software program on the market. Offering Windows, the Office Suite, WordPerfect and more, it's how we all began. They offer both interactive CDs as well as videos, and the first level is free. They'll send you usually level 1 and 2, and if you don't want to continue, return level 2 and keep 1. If you want to complete the series, they'll send you level 3. ($49.95)
