Windows Tips & Tricks

"Windows Tips & Tricks" is a fun Study Group where we learn little-known facts and time-saving shortcuts about Windows and Microsoft Office (and computers in general), and are also introduced to (usually) free programs to make our lives easier. (Well, our computing lives, at least.) We entertain questions and answers during the lesson; there is no such thing as a "dumb question" in this group. In the past, a handout was available to be taken home so the directions given could be followed on home computers. Beginning with the September session, the handout was emailed to each of the members, who printed it and brought it to the meeting with them. This was in an effort to save paper and ink costs for the Computer Club, as our Study Group has grown steadily each month. Last month we had 87 people in attendance, which set a record in recent memory.

If you are attending the Study Group, or would like to, and are not receiving the handout, please send your name, email address and telephone number to: PJHDNH@aol.com. You will be added to the email list and begin receiving not only this lesson, but the weekly notes from the SeniorNet User's Group ("SNUG") as well, which contain valuable information from the SNUG meetings.

Recent Tips & Tricks lessons included advice on how to search Google more efficiently, "phishing," how to bypass the "phone tree" and get a real human on the phone, a discussion on hardware firewalls, "10 Dumb Things Computer Users do to Mess Up Their Computers," and much, much more. If any of these subjects interest you, come to our meetings and learn other, just-as-interesting lessons.

I am passionate about leading this Study Group - it is the most rewarding thing I've ever done. My goal is to make the lessons interesting and at a level that even a novice can understand while keeping more advanced users interested. Please come join us - at present the attendance is about 85 and growing! I look forward to being there and interacting with everyone. As with all our Study Groups, membership in the Computer Club of Oklahoma City is not required for attendance; there is only a $2 attendance fee. The group meets every second Thursday morning of the month from 10 am -12 pm; we usually have refreshments of some sort - I almost always bring a home-baked goodie each week. Coffee is available, as are soft drinks for 50¢ each. (Want to learn how to make the "¢" sign? Come to our Study Group!)

Doris Collins