An Introduction to Computers

Most people these days have used a computer at one time or another, but peoples levels of confidence and experience vary greatly.

In a work environment, individuals use PC's for a variety of different reasons and not all require an in-depth knowledge of computing. It is however very important that all users should be familiar with the 'very-basics' of using PC's.

We can facilitate a short training session to show users these basics of PC use, helping boost their confidence and ensuring that users are familiar with important things such as:

• Turning a PC on  & off (there can be more to this than meets the eye...)
• File management (finding and opening files, printing and saving files)
• Using the mouse
• Understanding basic PC functions
• Coping with unexpected error messages / computer freezes or crashes

top of page

Using Microsoft Windows

Whatever version of Windows you use Community IT can provide training for your staff to ensure they understand the Windows environment, use it with confidence and help ensure that users get the most out of it.

Training can be arrange to cover the basics of using Windows, or using Windows at a more advanced level.

top of page

MS Office Applications
(Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access)

The Microsoft Office software suite, which incorporates Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access, is perhaps the most popular and widely used of 'office' software packages. Community IT can provide training in the use of each of the Office applications, or indeed for alternative office software suites such as Microsoft Works ot Open Office.

Bespoke training is available for each of the Office applications - Ranging from basic training, to introduce users to the Office applications, through to training covering the more advanced Office features...

Training can be facilitated to help users acquire a proficiency level to that of the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) or to the RSA CLAIT (Computer Literacy and Information Technology).

top of page

Using Email and the Internet

Community IT can provide training in the use electronic mail and in browsing the Internet, at both an introductory and a more advanced level of use.

Topics covered include:

Email :

Opening and reading mail messages - Storing and managing your e-mails - Sending e-mails - Using the Windows Address Book - Working with attachments - setting up mailing lists - working off-line and on-line - printing messages - finding information in messages already sent or received - working with rules - customising message formats - Adding signatures to you messages.

Internet :

What is the Internet and the World Wide Web ? - How the Web works - Using your Web Browser effectively - Different types of Web Browsers (e.g. Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator) Opening Websites - Using 'Search Engines' effectively to find what you want - Saving Web pages  - Using the 'Favorites' folder - Using the 'History' folder - Taking text, images or 'hyperlinks' from the Web to use in your own documents or e-mails - Being 'safe' on the Internet - Blocking access to unsuitable websites. 

top of page

Desktop Publishing 

Desktop Publishing (DTP) software (such as MS Publisher, Adobe PageMaker or Serif PagePlus) is typically used to produce things such as newsletters, posters, leaflets, fliers or reports. Whilst many of these tasks can be achieved by using a word-processor, DTP software offers a number of additional features making page layout easier to manage allowing you to achiever the results you want. DTP files can the be saved and either printed in-house, or sent to a commercial printers.

Community IT can help train you in the basics of using DTP and show you how to go about producing publishing materials you will be proud of.

top of page

Computer Maintenance

Too many people take their computers for granted and just assume they will always remain working just as well as when they were new. However, computers do need some looking after... You may notice that you computer becomes much slower than it used to, or it may be prone to occasionally 'crashing' or it may 'freeze', not allowing you to perform any tasks at all. If the late happens, you may be tempted to switch it off and back on again at the mains - however this may do more harm than good and only goes to adding to whatever problems you were already having.

Almost all computers running the Windows Operating Systems will suffer from some or all of the above problems at one time or another... Windows, by it's very nature can become unstable and is prone to occasional clitches such as freezing or crashing. - This is all very well if you know what to do, but if not, computer users can come up against all sorts of problems.

Community IT can either look after your PC's for you, or quickly train your staff in some basic computer maintenance to help alleviate the problems you may encounter.

top of page

Computer / Data Security

People depend and rely on their computers for everyday work. But, what if your computer system ever broke down, was damaged physically, was attacked by a serious 'computer virus', or even worse, was stolen ?

You may be fortunate to have other PC's you could use and no doubt have insurance to cover your equipment - But what about all of your data ? Do you have recent back-ups of your documents, your e-mails, address book etc...Ask yourself this - If the worse came to the worse, would you be able to continue working as normal following the event of computer breakdown, virus attacks or theft ?Community IT can show you how best to keep your data and your systems secure...

Community IT can show you how to:

• Manage 'Anti-Virus' and 'Firewall' software
• Keep your data Safe (know how to make regular back-up files and how to restore data)
• Secure your desktop Pc's  / Laptops to minimise the chances of theft
• Identify your equipment to help with recovery in the event of theft occurring

Some Advice - If you don't already have any 'Virus Protection Software' on your PC's, install some as soon as possible and make sure the 'Virus Definitions' are kept up to date... This is absolutely essential for any PC's using the Internet, or on any PC that shares disks from other PC's ! If you do get a computer virus without such protection, you could be very sorry you hadn't done so.

top of page

Web Design Training

top of page

Using Digital Images

Putting photographic images into your work documents, or onto your website, is a relatively straightforward procedure, but you should be aware of some of the pitfalls in doing so. Comminity IT can show you how to get the best from your digital images.

• Importing images from a digital camera
• Using a 'scanner' to import images to your computer
• Use imaging software to 'optimise' and 'edit' your images 
• Add effects / text to your images

top of page

Community IT will be very happy to arrange bespoke training to accomodate the needs of your staff. This can be for one of more employees on any variety of training topics.