BBC Photo Masterclass lesson series released

I won't promise you that these easy to download nature photography lessons will qualify your photos for Audubon magazine, but BBC's Wildlife magazine has just released its entire Photo Masterclass lesson series in PDF format. Click on the image of each lesson to read them online. You can also right-click on each lesson image and use "Save link as" to download a copy to your computer as a reference. Be sure to bookmark the Photo Masterclass page so you can quickly find your way back. There's more there than you can absorb and learn in one sitting.

Thanks to the Lifehacker website for the news and link the lessons.

That's dedication!!

The instructors who volunteer to teach the computer classes for seniors at the Fort Smith Public Library have always been a dedicated group. This past week, David Scherrey, who teaches the Introduction to the Internet classes for seniors demonstrated just how dedicated when he managed to teach his classes with one hand. His right arm was in a sling! The classroom was packed, every computer occupied, and there was a screen full of useful links to visit and explore and it seemed like everyone was having fun and enjoying learning.

Photo: David Scherrey, (L) talks students through the next step during the Introduction to the Internet class on March 18th. Star Locklear, registrar, is coaching a student. 

We appreciate all the instructors, assistant instructors, coaches and especially the participants who help their neighbor at the next computer accomplish something new that they've never done before. We always hope that students will advance into coaching and on up the chain. All it takes is a willingness to help and a little dedication.

Word Processing class had 18 students!

The Beginning Word Processing class looked like every seat was filled when I stuck my head in the door last week for a quick visit. P. J. Williams, a librarian at the Fort Smith Public Library, who teaches the class, had just started talking about the keyboard as I arrived. P.J. also coordinates the class schedule and the senior's use of the computer lab for classes. Be sure to thank her when you're next in the library. None of our classes would happen without the library's help with staff, facilities and other resources.

Star Locklear, the registrar, has already shared the evaluation results. We all like to read the comments about "Teacher and coaches would take time to answer questions." or "Great learning experience." We read every comment, particularly those with suggestions how classes could be improved. Each class is evaluated and we do try to use your feedback to improve all our classes.

One of the things all of the evaluations have pointed out over the years has been how the classes are like building blocks - each additional class builds on something you learned in a previous class or somewhere else. We want all our senior classes to contain practical, useful information so each student can return home and incorporate the new skills they've just learned into doing the things they want to do every day. You can be a writer if you don't write. You can't learn email without writing and sending messages. Like my piano teacher tried to explain: practice, practice, practice. Just make sure you have fun while you're practicing and learning.

The first PC Questions and Answer session results

The first trial "PC Questions and Answers" workshop, quickly nicknamed "The Doctor is IN," provided a free walk-in computer Q&A clinic Wednesday afternoon, March 3rd. I was joined by the very knowledgeable P.J. Williams, a librarian who deals with technology at the Fort Smith Public Library. Most of the questions were throughly aired. The spontaneous and unrehearsed session was considered a success with seven participants attending. Some of the major discussion topics included:

I don't have a computer. Should I purchase a laptop or desktop?
That question has filled entire chapters in several books! Google lists 22,000,000 articles, blogs and entries for the search term "laptop or desktop."One of the most comprehensive easy-to-read guides can be reached at Consumer Reports online "Computer Guide". A subscription is required to get to specific ratings (well worth the annual subscription fee) or you can visit your local Fort Smith Public Library - in person or online - and use your library card to reach their online subscription. Bottom line: it depends on what you want to do with your computer. Let Consumer Reports help you work through that decision.

What brand of computer is more reliable?
Reliability ratings based on input from thousands of consumers just like you are included in the Consumer Reports ratings mentioned in the above question. Almost every computer magazine writes hardware and software reviews. In addition to Consumer Reports, I use CNET, PC Magazine, PC World Online among many others. Keep in mind that quality and reliability can vary between different models of the same brand and even individual machines. Make sure your machine comes with a strong warranty backed by a reliable company. I'll save the question you're just about to ask concerning extended warranties for another Q&A session. 

How do I make sure personal data files are removed from the hard drive prior to recycling the old computer?
I thought a former governor's staff used the best solution when they allegedly smashed the hard drives taken from their computers in the Arkansas Governor's office and buried them in a land fill. That certainly tends to derail any future Freedom of Information Act requests.

Computer technicians usually have software that can erase and write over hard drives a number of times making it very difficult for crooks to recover information about your bank accounts and investments. You'd be surprised at what computer techs have tripped over (and some have shared with others) while they were working on someone's personal computer. It's OK to be a little paranoid about where your financial, medical and other personal data files end up.

Jason Fitzpatrick, weekend editor for Lifehacker, posted a comprehensive article, "Properly Erase Your Physical Media," in February 2009 which goes into more detail than you may want to know about erasing a hard drive and includes links to software programs that offer ways to properly erase your hard drive, and yet leave it so that it can be reformatted and reused. If you're aware that your data can be stolen from a computer or hard drive you recycle or give to a charity, you're smarter than 40 percent of the people who sell hard drives on eBay.

All in all, the small size of the group meant that the discussions were lively, informal and people could ask several follow-up questions. There is still one question about a glitch in Internet Explorer that we're still working on. I think I've found a possible answer to test on the errant machine. I'll post an update later if it works. Not a perfect score, but nobody knows everything. I'm sure there will be more we can learn from your questions.

The next PC Questions and Answers is scheduled for April 7, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. in the Fort Smith Library Computer Lab.

A copy of this entry was posted on BR's Web Workshop.

Winter classes are underway!

Evelyn Morgan who is the lead instructor for the Meet Your Mouse, Fun and Games and Intro to Personal Computers has already reported having full classrooms with every computer and seat taken. A special thanks not only to Evelyn, but to Don Ditlevson and Star Locklear who have been helping as assistant instructors. Several of the registered students, realizing they knew more than some of their classmates, even started helping coach some of the really new students. The point is that we had an excellent response so far this term. If we had more volunteer instructors, we could possibly offer more courses or more sections of the classes on the schedule.

If you're registered, don't forget that P.J. Williams will start the next class, Beginning Word Processing, on Tuesday and Thursday, March 9th and 11th at 9:30 A.M.

The "experimental" PC Questions workshop, which we've nicknamed, "The Dr. is IN," has its first session on March 3rd at 1:30 P.M. in the computer lab. No registration is required and we really have no idea what to expect in the way of attendance or what type of questions will be asked. One way to get your feet wet is to take a flying leap into the water. At least we hope to give some spontaneous answers to spontaneous questions. So rain or shine, three students or 30, we expect to have fun and maybe we'll learn more about what types of computer problems are being experienced by our senior students.

Thanks again to all our volunteer instructors, assistant instructors, coaches and the Fort Smith Public Library who make these classes possible.