New Computer Classes Scheduled

The North Plains Public Library is offering a series of free monthly computer classes for beginners, as well as intermediate and advanced computer users.

Scheduled classes for the fourth quarter of 2009 are:

October 19th - 10 am and 7 pm - Introduction to Computers Part 2
November 23rd - 10 am and 7 pm - Introduction to Computers Part 3
December - Cancelled for the holidays

Because most of the classes are "hands on", class size is generally limited to 10 people, and you must sign up in advance. You can pick up a sign-up form at the library or call 503-647-5051 for more information.

NEW COMPUTER CLASSES SCHEDULED

The North Plains Library is offering a series of free monthly computer classes for beginners, as well as intermediate and advanced computer users.

Scheduled classes for the second quarter of 2009 are:

- April 20, 7 pm – Staying Organized
- May 18, 10 am – Social Contacts
- May 18, 7 pm – Social Contacts (repeated)
- June 15, 10 am – Fabulous Photos
- June 15, 7 pm – Fabulous Photos (repeated)


Because most of the classes are “hands on”, class size is generally limited to 10 people, and you must sign up in advance. You can pick up a sign-up form at the library or on-line at http://nplibrary.org/.

For more info, please contact the library at 503-647-5051.

TIP OF THE WEEK

What Is Spyware?

Spyware is malicious code that infects your PC and can manifest itself as things such as unwanted browser toolbars and pop-ups, or if your browser homepage suddenly changes without your knowledge.
Spyware also takes the form of tracking files that watch where you go on the web in order to create a marketing profile of you that will be sold to advertisement companies. Not only is it a source of irritation but it also affects your privacy too.

Removing spyware is an important step in the process of cleaning unwanted files and programs from your PC, keeping it secure and fixing problems.

Fortunately there are programs available to help you track down and remove these unwanted files. There are several commercial security packages that offer anti-spyware tools as well as other features.
Ad-Aware and Spybot are two free programs you can use to fight spyware.

Download Ad-Aware 2007 Free from http://www.lavasoft.com/single/trialpay.php

Download Spybot Search & Destroy for free from http://www.safer-networking.org/.

NEW COMPUTER CLASS OFFERED

The next free computer class is scheduled for March 9th at the North Plains Public Library. Two sessions will be held, 10 am and 7 pm. Sign-up is required since class size will be limited to ten. You may sign-up by commenting to this blog or by visiting or phoning the North Plains Public Library at 503-647-5051. The class subject will be "Word Processing - Creating Documents" and will begin with the basics and move into more advanced topics.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Customize your Desktop with icons pointing to your favorite websites. (These instructions are for Windows XP)

First, drag and drop any unused desktop icons into the Recycle Bin. (Don’t worry…You’re not deleting any programs or files when you do this. Just putting “things” away, off your desk!)

If there’s a website you go to every day or so, make it easy for yourself by putting an icon on your desktop that will take you directly to that site. Here’s how.

1. Open Internet Explorer (not Mozilla) and find a favorite website (or page within a website) either using a previously made “Bookmark” or typing in the URL.
2. Now from the Menu Bar click on “File” and mouse down to “Send” .
3. A new drop down will open and you can click on “Shortcut to Desktop”.
4. That’s it! Now when you look at your desktop there will be a new icon that will point directly to your favorite website.

You can use the Rename function if you want to give it a better (shorter) name and you can change the icon picture too. We’ll cover that in another lesson.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Create a Password Protected "Password File"

Either using a document format or a spreadsheet format, keep a complete list of all your accounts (Financial , Health related, or Businesses) and your usernames and passwords accociated with those accounts. Then protect this file with one master password which you will never forget (you may want to write it down and keep it in a very secure place). Here's how.

From the file menu, choose "save as", and then click on the "Tools" drop down and select "Security Options" or "General Options" depending on the program you are using. In the window that opens, type in your chosen password and click OK.




Now each time you or anyone tries to open this file they will need to type in the password (twice) to gain access to your master list of passwords.

Free Computer Classes at North Plains Public Library

The North Plains Public Library is offering a series of free monthly computer classes for beginners, as well as intermediate and advanced computer users. Upcoming topics for the first quarter of 2009 are:

January 12, 10am – Introduction to Computers, Part 2
January 12, 7pm – Introduction to Computers, Part 3
February 9, 7pm – How to Search and Research Anything on the Internet
March 9, 10am – Word Processing
March 9, 7pm – Word Processing (repeated)

Because most of the classes are “hands on”, class size is generally limited to 10 people, and you must sign up in advance. You can visit the library to sign up, or click here to download and print a sign up form and bring it to the library.

For more info, please contact the library at 503-647-5051.