Weekly meetings starting on Tuesday 12th October in the United Free Church Hall (Brisbane Rd)

1                    10 – 12 noon     Drop-in Problem Solving  

2                    2 – 4 p.m.          Digital Photography Workshop           

1          Drop-in Problem Solving   
 

Just a few years ago all OIR computer courses for beginners were fully booked well in advance of their starting date.  The need for such courses has declined in recent years and it is time to think of changing the format.  Ten years ago only a small number of our members owned a computer but we can see from our membership records that about 2/3rds now have an e-mail address and most of these will be using their own computer.  I think it is worth trying a new more flexible format in which those wanting some help in using an existing application can ask questions and others can seek assistance in getting started on something new.   I think that this new format is likely to be of interest to near beginners and to others who have been using a computer for some years, but do not want to commit themselves to a course of 10 or 12 meetings.  

In the years before getting a lottery grant we had a number of ‘drop-in’ meetings in the old OIR Office that worked well with a mixture of beginners and those whose experience predated the arrival of small computers.   In 2001 OIR received a big lottery grant with which we bought a number of laptops that made it possible to run courses for groups of 10 or 12 members at a time.   Since 2001 computer courses have been attended by over 300 members (some attended more than one course!).   In the early years almost every course had a waiting list but over recent years things have clearly changed and the need for beginner’s courses is now much reduced.   I think that the planned change in the format is flexible enough to meet the needs of both near beginners and the more advanced computer users in OIR.

In the first instance I would like as many as possible among those interested to come along to a preliminary meeting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday October 12^th     I want to discuss the planned changes with those interested.

2          Digital Photography Workshop
   

Topics discussed during the workshop will include

• Obtaining digital photos – features of a digital camera
• Copying photos from camera to computer
• Understanding the camera manual and the need for rereading at intervals.
• Choice of software for editing individual pictures and the management of a photo collection
• Printing photos - discussion of settings, paper types, etc…
• Preparation of a slide show
• Use of a scanner for batch scanning of 35mm slides
• Sending photos by e-mail
• Management of a large photo collection
• Backup options (DVDs, External Hard Drive, etc..)

The sequence and time devoted to topics will depend on those attending.

Cost    For both of the above there will be a charge of £2.50 per meeting

Comments from those interested welcome, especially if you cannot come on the 12^th  Oct.  Please get in touch by phone or e-mail                      

John Turcan            687364            johnrturcan@gmail.com