All lectures, seminars and other events will be held at 75 Felton Matthew Avenue, unless otherwise stated.
Courses are listed as levels 1 through to 4, based on the level of skills and knowledge involved. Level 1 courses are designed for beginners, and they should complete as many of these courses as possible before advancing to Level 2 and beyond. When teaching Level 2 courses, tutors will normally expect members to have the knowledge and skills covered at Level 1.
You might have acquired Level 1 skills by self-learning or other means, so you can proceed to Level 2 directly if you wish. However, you should first read the Level 1 topics and confirm that you have fully mastered them. Similarly for direct entry into Levels 3 and 4.
Enrolment in a course directly through this website was introduced this year and has generally worked well although a couple of tweaks have been needed. Here’s how it works:
Click on the link to “Contact Us” button from the menu on the left or here. The relevant page appears. Fill in the fields on the right hand side, as described on the page. Click in the boxes of the course(s) in which you wish to enrol. Click the “Send” button which appears in green in the last line of the red wording on the right hand side of the page.
A confirming message will then appear and you are invited to return to the home page.
When you next open your emails, a copy of your enquiry will be received as further confirmation that the enrolment is being processed. If you do not receive this confirmation email, please repeat the routine or leave a message on the SNEB voicemail at (09)578 0994 (see below).
Within a day or two you should receive a further email, either notifying you of your place in a specific course or advising that you are on the waiting list for the course and you'll be notified again when it is scheduled.
Please use the above method if you can, otherwise leave a voice mail message by phoning (09)578 0994 giving your name, phone number and the name of the course in which you would like to enrol. If you require assistance in making your choice, i.e. you are unsure of which course best suits your needs or whether it would be of any use to you, please tell us in the message and we will phone you back to discuss this.
In all courses, printed notes are provided and, in most, a floppy disk or CD containing the exercises, is also provided.
** Once you receive enrolment confirmation, please be ready to pay the Tutor on the first day of the course.
Should you feel stressed when learning in a class with others, and are unable to cope with that, it may be possible to arrange one-on-one tuition for you, depending on the availability of tutors and computer rooms.
Should you feel that, after several tries of working from the course notes you are unable to understand a lesson you should contact the tutor, preferably by e-mail, or telephone.
If you have specialised knowledge of software not covered in our courses (below) and would be willing to work with us to develop a course please let us know through the voice mail at (09)578 0994
Click on any item to see the course descriptions, tutors, dates and times. Also click on the Calendar to see how they all fit in.
Thu, Jul 08, 15, 22, 29, Aug 05 (10-12)
This course follows from the introductory session for real beginners in computing. You will learn how to manipulate the mouse and then about the keyboard and its special keys. Six places are reserved for new members who attended the Introductory session last week. Others may join if there are spare places.
Those who already know the keyboard from their typist days have a real head start!
All that is necessary is a keen will to learn and enjoy the fun one can have with a computer.
A computer running WindowsXP, Windows Vista or Windows 7. For conditions today, it is recommended that your computer has 2 GB RAM
There are many different ways a computer can be set up. To make your learning curve easier, SNEB has a specification for software and settings which we encourage you to use.
If you have got this far on www.sneb.org.nz, make sure that you continue exploring. There is a wealth of information on this site; it is there for free for you to learn!
Thu, Aug 12, 19, 26, Sep 02, 09
This course follows from the Computer Basics Level 1 course and will give you further experience with the World Wide Web using the browser program called Internet Explorer. It will then teach you how to receive emails and send plain text emails. Six places are reserved for new members who have attended the Computer Basics course. Others may join if there are spare places.
PLEASE NOTE: Outlook Express and Windows Mail are the same email program. Only the name and the computer operating system are different.
Confidence with using the mouse and good knowledge of the keyboard are really desirable.
A Broadband internet connection.
For those with Windows7, you should have Windows Live Mail installed and configured or else be using a webmail address.
Wed, Sep 15, 22, 29
Learn about safe computing on your Microsoft Windows computer.
Students should be familiar with their operating system XP, Vista or Windows7.
A knowledge of basic skills is essential; completion of most Level 1 courses or (equivalent experience) is desirable.
Microsoft Windows XP, Vista or Windows7 with an anti-virus program also installed.
Tue, Oct 05, 12, 19
A healthy secure computer is a happy computer and that makes a happy computer user! You will learn to make your computer work more efficiently, how to handle some faults and to increase the security of your files. But most important you will learn Backup techniques using external storage of your files to prevent soul destroying loss of work.
Students should be familiar with the Microsoft operating system of their computer.
It is essential to be very proficient with the computer Skills covered in Level 1 & 2.
Microsoft WindowsXP, Vista or Windows7
Wed, Aug 18, 25, Sep 01
In years past, before the days of digital cameras, many people used colour film to produce slides which were proudly show with a home projector. That older technology has now been replaced by scanners, computers, DVD players, and colour TV. So this course is aimed to "rescue" those old slides, and to transfer them on to CDs for showing on any computer or DVD player. The course is an introduction to scanning for digitising pictures, photographs and slides. Simple enhancement methods for improving the images will be included. The course will use the multifunction HP-C7180 scanner, which has scanning, printing, and photocopying functions. It can convert slides to digital files, four at a time.
A good level of Computer Skills is required for this course.
A scanner and printer (any brand), properly installed on your computer.
Scanners usually come bundled with software programs for editing pictures. Examples of these are Adobe's Photoshop Elements, ArcSoft's PhotoStudio, the freeware Paint.net, and Picasa (free from Google).
The course will be restricted to four participants only. A course has been organized in August 2010 which will appear on the Calendar in a few weeks.
Mon, Aug 09, 16
Tables are used in word processing for many varying tasks. Multi-column lists could be set up with tabs and the column command. But they are easier to design and control in tables. Learn how to do this and make good use of this excellent feature in word processing.
A very good level of computing expertise is necessary.
Students must have completed Level 3 Word Processing satisfactorily.
Word 2003 Word2007
We will try and run this course in both WP programs providing a tutor is available. Failing this, we may split a class according to the WP programs required.
Thu, Aug 05
Wed, Sep 15
Wed, Oct 20
Wed, Nov 17
A general meeting and lecture is usually held on the third Wednesday of each month from 10-11am at the new SNEB premises at 75 Felton Mathew Avenue, St Johns. The lecture is usually followed by questions and answers from one or more guest speakers on a topic of interest to SeniorNet. Other matters of administrative or computing importance may also be discussed.
In June, this meeting becomes the Annual General meeting.
Mon, Aug 02
Mon, Sep 06
Mon, Oct 04
Mon, Nov 01
This is a free session for SeniorNet members held monthly on the first Monday of the month. The formal discussion will close at 12 noon, but there will be the opportunity for informal discussion with your BYO lunch and a cuppa.
A tutor will give a Demonstration on a topic, after which members have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss aspects of the topic or any other computer problem which irks them.
The session will have a broad range of information, Level 1 to Level 4. Beginners may find some of it hard to follow, but if you do not come you will not know what you have missed. If you pick up one new fact in the session your effort to attend will be worth while.
You might want to check the Useful Links and the General Tips pages before you come.
It is hoped to develop further discussion groups. If you would enjoy a discussion group in any subject relative to computers, tell us about it
Beginners may learn basic common text editing techniques. We will use Rich Text format in Outlook Express, Windows Mail to enhance your emails or WordPad for users of web based email.
Confidence with the mouse and a good knowledge of the key board are really desirable
No special word processing program is necessary for this course.
This course looks at the Windows folder structure and management of files using the Microsoft file management program called Windows Explorer in Windows XP, Vista and Winows7 computers. It will help you to manage your computer with confidence, keep control of all your files. If you find that the current course is full, you should still register your interest to make sure that the next course is scheduled.
Confidence in using the mouse and familiarity with the keyboard are really desirable.
Good file and folder management helps with happy computing!
This course follows from Email 1 and will extend your knowledge of the email process in Outlook Express, Windows Mail or web-based email.
Students must be very familiar with the interfaces for the email program they use
Confidence and experience in basic email skills is necessary, this course will extend and enhance your options in email.
A Broadband internet connection
PLEASE NOTE: Outlook Express and Windows Mail are the same email program. Only the name and the computer's operating system are different.
This course follows from the Level 1 course and will extend your knowledge of Windows folder structure and management of files using Windows Explorer in Windows XP, Vista or Windows7. It will help you to manage your computer with confidence, keep control of all your files, and handle important tasks such as organising folders and backing up important material in case of disasters! Practical skills will be emphasised - burning CDs, using flash drives, handling camera memory cards, and saving important emails as text files in the appropriate folder.
Students should have satisfactorily completed File Managment-1 topics and have a good knowledge of basic skills at Level 1.
Knowledge of basic skills at level-1 is desirable.
This course follows from the Level 1 course and will enhance your expertise and increase your fun in surfing the web.
Competence in all topics covered in Level 1 as well as Copying and Pasting is essential.
A Broadband internet connection
This demonstration workshop will show you “where and how” to start your family research on the internet. Tuition in a genealogy program is not included.
To attend this class, you should have a basic understanding of using the internet
No special software is required.
Participants will not be using computers in these sessions.
This course takes the student further into the powerful programs Microsoft Word2003 and Open Office Writer. It covers basic aspects of these programs commonly used by most people who do not need advanced word processing.
Students must have a good knowledge of the basic computer terminology covered in the Level 1 modules.
The student is expected to have completed all Level 1 modules or satisfy a tutor of their expertise. Complete competence with the mouse and keyboard is necessary.
Microsoft Word2003 or any earlier version of MS Word OR OpenOffice Writer Note: MS Word2007 is very different and will be taught in a separate course.
If class numbers and preferences permit, we may run the course in two streams for each program.
This course teaches Word 2007 to beginners in word processing. It covers basic aspects of this program commonly used by most people who do not need advanced word processing.
Students must have a good knowledge of the basic computer terminology covered in the Level 1 modules.
The student is expected to have completed all Level 1 modules relating to word processing, file management and their Windows operating system, or satisfy a tutor of their expertise. Complete competence with the mouse and keyboard is necessary.
MS Word 2007
This single session will look at the new Microsoft operating system Windows7. It is designed for members who have upgraded their operating systems from Windows Vista, XP or earlier.
A good knowledge of your present Windows version and basic computing skills.
It is expected that you know the basics of a Windows operating system. This session is not for beginners who will learn about Windows7 in their "Getting Started" course module.
This workshop will cover the transferring of photographs from a digital camera to a computer and managing them using the Windows file management program Windows Explorer. If requested and time permits, we will have a look at Picasa. Photo-editing will not be covered
This is a file management exercise. A little knowledge of general file management is a great help.
Participants should have completed File Management Level 1 & 2
A digital camera and a Windows computer equipped with USB ports.
No special software is required
Students should bring their digital camera (fully charged) and its USB cable to connect to a computer.
This course is intended to give the student an understanding of the basic skills required to create, edit, save and print spreadsheets using the MS Excel program which is in wide use in the commercial sector.
Spreadsheets are mostly used for working financial data and making lists. Data is entered into the "cells" and using formulae it is possible to quickly sum, multiply, subtract, divide or apply a host of other functions to it. If new data is entered, or data is removed or altered, the spreadsheet automatically updates the results in the blinking of an eye.
Students must have a good understanding of their Windows operating system and be competent with the mouse and keyboard. They should also be competent in basic formatting skills and the copy/paste routine.
Students must have MS Excel installed on their computers.
An advanced Excel course can be arranged following this course.
This will be a one session demonstration of burning CDs and DVDs on the Nero program
SNEB does not have Nero installed on its computers. But a tutor will provide a computer with Nero for this demonstartion. Any participant with Nero on a Laptop computer is welcom to bring it to help with the demonstration.
Using the Windows Picture folder program to view and print your pictures. In WindowsXP this program is the "Windows Fax and Picture Viewer". In Windows Vista, it is the "Windows Photo Gallery".
The WindowsXP program has a limited number of adjustments and a good printing routine. Windows Photo Gallery in Vista is a good program with a number of facilities.
Students should have completed File Management Levels 1 & 2
No special software required
An introduction to photo-editing and enhancing.
This course is suitable for people with some artistic ability and who are reasonably adept at basic computing skills.
Students must have a good knowledge of their Windows operating system, basic word processing and file management skills and competence with the mouse.
It is not necessary to have a digital camera or a scanner.
The light edition of Version 5 of Photoshop is used, but there is considerable overlap with numerous photo-editing and graphics programs so it is not necessary for participants to own Photoshop
Learn to use PowerPoint to design attention-grabbing presentations
Participants are taught how to produce a slide show using this program.
Students must have a good knowledge of their Windows operating system, basic word processing and file management skills and competence with the mouse and keyboard.
MS PowerPoint 2003
A course based on Publisher 2003 and/or 2007 covering various aspects of creative computing.
A good knowledge of MS Word is a help; students will find this program gives them the ability to make graphic productions with greater ease.
A competent level of computing is required for this course which introduces many new concepts.
MS Publisher 2003 or 2007
This workshop is an extension of the Publisher 2003 & 2007 course and is intended for those members interested in making greeting cards on their computer.
Good basic computer skills are necessary for this workshop.
You must have completed the Publisher 2003/2007 course or be very confident with all the following functions in MS Word. Cut, copy and paste, font, paragraph, text box and picture manipulation.
The workshop will be based on MS Publisher Version 2003 and/or 2007. Some differences with other versions will be experienced, but they should not be an insurmountable problem.
OCR means Optical Character Recognition. Your scanner should have come with an OCR program which will enable you to scan a text document to a text file or a MS Word document.
A good level of Computer Skills, is required for this course. You must be very familiar with your Windows operating system, competent with File Management, the mouse and the keyboard.
An OCR program such as ABBYY FineReader or Scansoft's Omnipage
Learn how to navigate around the TradeMe web-site, the procedures for registration, buying and selling.
A very good understanding of the Internet and email is necessary. On-line banking makes TradeMe purchases very simple. But it is not compulsory to have on-line banking. There are other methods of paying for your purchases.
Students must have satisfactorily completed Level 1 & 2 courses relating to internet, email and word processing.
A computer and a bank account!
We will teach TradeMe using Internet Explorer, but you could use another web browser if that is your choice. You can use your usual email account or set up a special web-based email account to use with TradeMe.
This course in Word2003 takes you to the fun topics in Word Processing.
There are new concepts to be learned in this module, so it is essential to be very familiar with all Level 1 & 2 subjects relating to word processing, file management and your Windows operating system.
Participants must have satisfactorily completed Level 2 Basic Word Processing in Word 2003
This session is solely for those members who have purchased Office2007 and are having trouble adapting to this very different program. We will cover the basic operation of Word2007 and study techniques for finding those illusive commands!
This session is NOT for beginners in Word Processing. There are other easier options available for beginners. OpenOffice.org Writer is very good and it is free! Students are strongly advised to consult with tutors before purchasing Office 2007.
Students must have mastered the basic word processing functions in earlier versions of Word.
Microsoft Word 2007 running on Windows Vista or Windows XP
A second session could be organised if required.
Video clips can be taken quite easily with most digital cameras, and that is an easy way to get started with movies. Alternatively many people choose to use a camcorder, which will give a superior result, particularly with the sound track because camcorders have much better microphones than digital cameras. Moving pictures often capture an event better than still pictures, especially when people are actively moving, for example restless children or people playing sport. Another advantage of video is that a short movie is usually more interesting and entertaining than a slideshow of still pictures. This course covers the uploading of video clips to the computer, editing and arranging clips to make a complete movie, adding titles and other text, including a sound track, and burning the movie on to a DVD in the same format as commercial films so that it can be played on any DVD player or computer.
The course is designed for those who wish to start making short movies, using the program Windows Movie Maker that comes free with Vista or Windows7. There are many good video editing programs on the market, and most camcorders come with programs such as MotionDV Studio (Panasonic) or ImageMixer (JVC). However, Windows Movie Maker is strongly recommended as a good place to start learning to make a movie, and it has the advantage of being included in the Vista or Windows7 packages. Windows Movie Maker uses the same basic principles as the commercial programs, but is reasonably easy to learn. So if you master Windows Movie Maker you should be able to use more elaborate programs if the need arises.
Familiarity with Vista or Window7 is essential, including the basic skills taught at level 1. A good knowledge of file management and experience of handling picture files would be a great help.
Windows Vista Home Premium includes Windows Movie Maker 6 and Windows DVD Maker. For Windows7 Home Premium users, Windows DVD Maker is included and Movie Maker 14 is a free download from WindowsLive.
This workshop is for more topics not covered in earlier levels but not requiring a high level of expertise. Create a Template to help you reduce that irritating repetitive typing. Your customised letterhead and such like can be saved as a template and retrieved very easily. Put Headers and Footers in your documents?
It is likely that this course will vary depending on students' requests and the mix of WP programs involved.
Students must have satisfactorily completed Word Processing Level 3 in their chosen WP program.
Word2003, Word2007
Learn how to control those graphics in your word processing documents. Have you had your photos fly all over the page and then disappear? It's enough to make you cry. Learn to be the boss of your photos, drawings, clipart and WordArt; it's all about the "wrapping"!
Text programs are "single layer" programs Graphics programs (like Photoshop) are multi layer programs so graphics can slide around on top or below each other. A basic text program cannot handle graphics. But advanced word processing programs have the facility to wrap the text around a graphic.
A good level of computing expertise is essential for this course.
Word 2003 Word 2007 OpenOffice Writer
Learn how to reduce repetitive command strokes by combining them in a little program of your own. This is called a macro and it can be used to reduce a multi-command routine to one command. This one command can then be assigned a short-cut key, a tool button for the the toolbar and/or a slot on a drop down menu.
Recording (or writing) macros is the basis of specialist applications of word processing programs. We will just touch on the simplest of these skills.
A very good knowledge of your word processing program is necessary.
