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I am honored once again to have been asked to teach a computer class at the Norman Public Library. Beginning Tuesday evening, January 13 at 6:30 pm, I and whoever chooses to attend will dive headfirst into the dark underworld of computer and Internet security. It’s always a fun journey. The goal of the class is to equip normal, everyday computer users with the knowledge that they need to defend themselves against the Internet bad guys. Visit www.pioneer.lib.ok.us/nortop for more information.

The more I help people with their computers, the more I see the urgent need for basic computer education. Back in the early days of the home computer revolution, you had to know and understand many things about your system just to accomplish the most seemingly-trivial tasks. Nowadays it seems that almost everyone that cares to has a fairly powerful computer at their disposal, and modern operating systems are much easier to use than their predecessors. This ease of use also means that it’s much easier to screw things up, or to get lost in the endless sea of available options and functions.

To the rescue comes our local library. Not only do they have a good selection of books that teach basic and advanced computer skills, but they also host a series of classes that are guaranteed to make your computing life easier and more enjoyable. Better yet, the classes are free.

I constantly see people that own powerful, expensive computers, but don’t really have a clue as to how they can be effectually used. Here’s a list of basic computer skills that classes at the library can help you acquire.

1). Learn to use your cursor. You know that bar that moves around when you press the left/right arrows on your keyboard? It’s called a cursor.

2). Learn how to type. Duh. I’m still working on this one.

3). Learn to right-click. Your mouse has more than one button; click them all.

4). Learn how to use Windows Explorer. Not to be confused with the Web browser Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer is your computer’s file management program. You’ll never really know how to use your computer until you figure this one out.

5). Learn how to copy, cut and paste. Functions like these demonstrate why computers are better than old-school typewriters.

6). Learn how to use menu toolbars. That long, skinny, horizontal rectangle at the top of a programs’ window that contains words and funny-looking symbols is called a toolbar. Toolbars contain the tools that you need to use a program.

7). Learn how to change the way your computer functions. Changing things known as Options, Preferences and Settings will put you in charge of your computer, instead of the other way around.

8). Learn how to use Help files. All good programs have a word on the menu toolbar that says, “Help.” As the word implies, this is where you go when you need information to help you use a program. If you are having problems with a program, please make sure that you have read the Help files before calling me and asking me to act as your human Help file. Thank you.