Author Topic: Suggestions needed... (Read 2329 times)

Jeff · « **on:** February 15, 2001, 06:17:43 pm »

I have been asked to do a seminar at the 2001 Michigan Association of Timbermen's convention in April. It will be about basic computer usage to include the internet.

Any suggestions for topics to include in such a discussion?

Ron Wenrich · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2001, 08:34:21 am »

I assume you are talking about the use of computers in business.

The basics that can be used is spreadsheets and word processing. I use spreadsheets to keep track of daily production and down time. I know how much I saw every day, which species, and how much downtime and what causes it.

Spreadsheets can also be used for accounting, timber sale volume calcs, and anything that needs to be counted or figured.

Word processing can be used for contracts and ordinary correspondence.

From the Internet side, it is both a communication and research tool. Forums are great to see what is happening outside your own little world. It is a great place to get ideas and to see how well your perceptions hold up, especially under fire.

I also use the net for billing purposes. Look at how we got the toolbox up and running due to a ways of communicating.

I have researched everything from mill equipment to forest management. There is just a ton of free information from legitimate sources.

Jeff · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2001, 09:51:56 am »

actually, yes and no, its not really for business Per say. It is true that most of the Timbermens membership use computers in business, but they are run by the employee's. There are a lot of owners and their spouses out there that know nothing about even turning a computer on, and are scared to try. This class is for them, and those that are just getting started. Many people only know how to check their e-mail and that is it.

Gordon · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2001, 06:43:36 pm »

Tough one I've just figured out how to turn this thing on.

Bookmarking, downloading, how to add c tags, anti virus, firewalls, boot disks, rescue disks just to name a few. But when it comes to the magic boxes I'm not the one to tell anyone anything but those are just a few ideas, off the top of my head.

You want to keep it interesting so they don't fall asleep.

But don't go so deep that they leave with glazed eyes.
Gordon

Texas Ranger · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2001, 02:48:58 pm »

Man, sign em up on About.com and here, they will get all the education they need!:)

Bill Johnson · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2001, 12:23:10 pm »

I would tell them it is important not be afraid to the computer and to make sure take time to play the machine and to learn what a computer can do.
It's fine to take all kinds of specialized courses but if your afraid to explore or make mistakes then you really don't learn anything.
alt+ctrl+del can save you if you get in to far over your head.
Bill

Jeff · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2001, 12:45:21 pm »

Right on Bill! (Glad to see you back). That is exactly how I plan to start out the seminar. The computer is no more then a fancy filing cabinet with a built in calculator.

L. Wakefield · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2001, 04:55:30 pm »

I would add that it is the world's biggest and most fascinating library- including many works-in-progress. LW

Jeff · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2001, 02:50:57 pm »

Here is my basic outiline for my Basic computer use seminar for Timbermen's on the 26th of April.

1. Introduction, including some basic terminolgy
2. What do I need in a computer?
3. Turning the computer on.
4.Turning it off!
5. The Desktop and start menu
6. The mouse and it's functions.
7. What are windows and how do they function?
8. My Computer, what's in there?
9. Files and Folders, what they are, where they
 are, how to make them, save them and most 
importantly FIND them!
10. Control panel, what's in there?
11. Programs.
12. Virus information.
13 Maintainance of system (system tools)
14. Copy, paste, drag and drop functions.
 Sharing files and information between applications.

Questions??

Internet

1. Getting connected, ISP's
2. Email
3. Surfing the net... Start pages and search engines
4. Bookmarks
5. Downloading
Questions??

The class will include a Handout that includes a 3and1/2" diskette with some nifty things on it. If any of you are interested in the floppy, I can zip it together and put it someplace for you to download and look at.

RavioliKid · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2001, 07:34:06 pm »

That sounds like an awfully ambitious lesson plan.

Just how long is the seminar?

One other thing I might include is "fun stuff". You could include your forum and Steve's in there.

Knock 'em dead!

Bill Johnson · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2001, 04:07:00 pm »

I think you just about covered the whole gambit with your lesson plan.
Hope you have a very appreciative group of folks at the seminar.

I'd be interested in the floppy material. There are a few folks in the village where I live that haven't had too much experience with computers and sometimes ask for advice, perhaps this might just be the item that gets them over the hump.

Good luck and make sure you let us know how it went.

Bill

Jeff · « **Reply #11 on:** April 22, 2001, 03:52:31 pm »

I have spent today trying to finish up the diskette handout for my seminar. I will zip it up and post the address later this evening. Please download it and give me your thoughts. The Diskette is not meant to be a rehash of the seminar, but kind of a bonus for attending.

Jeff · « **Reply #12 on:** April 22, 2001, 05:22:04 pm »

The seminr is zipped up at http://www.forestryforum.com/seminar.zip

Have Fun!

Tom · « **Reply #13 on:** April 22, 2001, 07:01:56 pm »

Jeff,

Two important things that a new computer user should be aware of is "backup" and "don't change ORIGIONAL data". Before any changes to data are saved, this should be the first question one asks himself. "what am I wiping out?"

Jeff · « **Reply #14 on:** April 22, 2001, 07:25:07 pm »

absolutely! That is one thing that I will cover in "what do I need in a computer" there is no reason with prices now a days of not having a cdr to backup everything! The days of just having a floppy drive to save things on are long gone.

RavioliKid · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2001, 03:56:37 am »

I was unable to open the file. I got some sort of error message - something like "does not start with %"

Gordon · « **Reply #16 on:** April 23, 2001, 05:24:18 am »

Rav Kid, it comes zipped do you have winzip?
I had a problem close to that with the leaf game. Wouldn't open right deleted it and downloaded again and all was a-ok.

Jeff, that is a great takehome peice. The wife loves hangman. Should have never let her see that one she stole the computer from me last night and wouldn't give it back.

On the serious side that should really come in handy for alot of people. Me being one of them THANKS

Gordon

Jeff · « **Reply #17 on:** April 23, 2001, 10:11:49 am »

I sorta hacked into the hangman game, look for my name in the celeb categorie, and timber buyers in corporations! My apoligies to the author of the game, but I couldnt resist. You may have to play a long time to find it though, cause there are THOUSANDS of games in that small file!

Tom · « **Reply #18 on:** April 23, 2001, 09:16:10 pm »

That's a good idea to discuss the hardware available for backups but I think that the more important topic is the "discipline". The easier the software guys make it for us, the sloppier we become. We, me included, are quick to blame the computer, the programmer, the phase of the moon or anything but ourselves. Following and understanding time honored disciplines protects us from us.

If your talk can actually get them to think about what they are doing then they may understand what's going on and one day remember the guy who gave them the rules.

Tom · « **Reply #19 on:** April 23, 2001, 10:02:53 pm »

Dad gummit, I downloaded that seminar file and have been playing with the talk software and hangman till it's past my bedtime. Wife got upset and went to bed, I've got to work tomorrow........what was I talking about........disciplines?

News:

Author Topic: Suggestions needed... (Read 2329 times)