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 “Enrol Me” 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
** Once you receive enrolment confirmation, please be ready to pay the Tutor on the first day of the course.
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. Figures for "places left" may be out of date but those on the Enrol Me page are live.
Fri, May 04, 11, 18, 25, Jun 01, 2012
This course is for real beginners in computing. You will learn how to start the computer, manipulate the mouse and then about the keyboard and its special keys.
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!
Fri, Jun 08, 15, 22, 29, Jul 06, 2012
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 (XP), Windows Mail (Vista) are very similar email programs. Windows Live Mail 2011 is quite different and we may find it necessary to run separate classes for the email content of the course. Your set of notes will relate to the version of email program that you use.
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 2011 installed and configured or else be using a webmail address. Early in 2011, Internet Explorer version 9 will be released and will be included in Windows Updates. Students should endeavour to make sure their computers are updated. Notes are available for both versions which are slightly different.
Thu, May 03, 10, 17, 2012
Beginners may learn basic common text editing techniques. We will use Rich Text format in Outlook Express, Windows Mail Vista, Windows Live Mail, the gmail and hotmail "Compose Message" windows to enhance your emails. We could possibly use WordPad for users of web based email if this is desirable. The idea is that you will learn these techniques in the email program you normally use.
Confidence with the mouse and a good knowledge of the key board are really desirable. Participants should have completed Level 1 Computer Basics and Internet/Email basics or satisfy the tutor that they have attained this standard.
No special word processing program is necessary for this course.
Wed, Jun 13, 2012
A tutor will answer questions and solve simple problems at the Level 1 standard. More advanced questions will not be dealt with unless they have some positive aspect for members with expertise at Level 1. This will be mainly a demonstration workshop; all the computers will be going for some hands-on practice to help you solve your problems. It is possible that a specific question could lead to a demonstration of value to all attendees. PLEASE NOTE THAT BOOKINGS ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS WORKSHOP.
This session is not a substitute for the Level 1 courses! So attendees who lack this basic knowledge and present too many questions will be encouraged to attend the courses; their questions will not be given priority.
Attendees must have completed the four Level 1 modules, or be of a standard that is of this level.
Notes will not be provided, so attendees should bring pen and paper to record their solutions.
BOOKINGS ARE REQUIRED and the session will be restricted to a maximum of 14 members. The sessions will be on a second OR fourth Wednesday morning of the month, but not necessarily every month. Financial Members only should put their names on the waiting list by booking on the "Enrol Me" page or leaving a message on the SNEB Voicemail 5780994.
Mon, Jul 02, 09, 16, 23, 2012
This course looks at the Windows folder structure and management of files using the Microsoft file management program called Windows Explorer in Windows XP, 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.
Some scheduled File Management courses may specialise in one version of Windows. Please check the code on the course.
Good file and folder management helps with happy computing!
Tue, Apr 24, May 01, 08, 15, 22, 2012
Mon, Apr 30, May 07, 14, 21, 28, 2012
This course looks at the Windows folder structure and management of files using the Microsoft file management program called Windows Explorer in Windows Vista and Windows7 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!
Tue, May 01, 08, 15, 2012
This course follows from Email and Internet Basics Level 1 and will extend your knowledge of the email process in Outlook Express and Windows Mail Vista. You will receive a set of notes to cover your situation.
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. Students should complete "Elementary Word Processing in Email" before enrolling in this course. Formatting in HTML/Rich Text format is not covered in this course.
A Broadband internet connection
PLEASE NOTE: Outlook Express and Windows Mail are very similar email programs. The name, the computer's operating system, and a few cosmetics are different, but should not cause confusion. The control of email address lists is different, but you will receive good notes to cover your situation.
Tue/Thu, May 22, 24, 29, 31, 2012
This course follows from the Level 1 course and will extend and enhance your expertise and 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
Internet Explorer version 8 or version 9 as it becomes available.
Tue, May 29, Jun 05, 12, 19, 2012
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 Vista and Windows7. You will receive a set of notes relevant to you version of Windows.
Students should have satisfactorily completed File Management level 1 topics and have a good knowledge of basic skills at that Level.
Knowledge of all basic skills at Level 1 is essential.
Tue, Jun 26, Jul 03, 10, 17, 2012
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, You will receive a set of notes relevant to you version of Windows.
Students should have satisfactorily completed File Management level 1 topics and have a good knowledge of basic skills at that Level.
Knowledge of all basic skills at Level 1 is essential.
Thu, Jun 07, 14, 21, 28, 2012
This course takes the student into the powerful programs Microsoft Word2003. It covers basic aspects of these programs commonly used by most people who do not need advanced word processing. The subject matter of this course is sufficiently interesting to permit the student to use a wide range of the program’s facilities to prepare excellent documents with plenty of visual interest.
Students must have a good knowledge of the basic computer terminology covered in the Level 1 modules including "Elementary word processing in email". Selection/font & paragraph formatting and cut/copy/paste will not take up much time in this course as it is covered in the above mentioned level 1 course.
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 essential.
Fri, Jun 15, 22, 29, Jul 06, 13, 2012
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 2003 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 2003 installed on their computers.
An advanced Excel course can be arranged following this course.
Wed, May 30, 2012
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.
Mon/Thu, May 28, 31, Jun 07, 11, 2012
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 2007 or 2010 installed on their computers.
An advanced Excel course can be arranged following this course.
Thu, May 10, 17, 2012
Thu, Jun 14, 21 (2pm - 4pm), 2012
Thu, Jul 12, 19 (2pm - 4pm), 2012
Thu, Aug 09, 16 (2pm - 4pm), 2012
In years past, before the days of digital cameras, many people used colour film to produce slides which were proudly shown with a home projector. That older technology has now been replaced by scanners, computers, DVD players, and colour TV. So this workshop is aimed to "rescue" those old slides, and to transfer them on to CDs for showing on any computer or DVD player. The workshop 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.
This is a workshop for the student's benefit, so a good knowledge of basic computing and file management is necessary.
You must have completed all the SNEB Level 1 modules or have experience that has reached this level.
You own scanner is not necessary for this workshop as the SNEB HP Photosmart Multifunction will be used.
The workshop is restricted to TWO participants only, but it will be necessary to have two participants for the workshop to commence.
Mon/Wed, May 14, 16, 2012
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.
Wed, May 16, 2012
Wed, Jun 20, 2012
Wed, Jul 18, 2012
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.
Wed, Jul 18, 2012
Wed, Sep 19, 2012
Wed, Nov 21, 2012
This is a free session for SeniorNet members held bi-monthly on the third Wednesday of the month. Bookings are not required for these sessions. The formal discussion will close at 12 noon
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.
Wed, May 30, 2012
We invite iPad interested members to join us for a discussion in a co-operational workshop on Ipads. SNEB does not have a tutor who can give formal lessons on using an Ipad. But we do have a number of members who have varying degrees of experience. Group discussions are often a great help to get you going, so please register your interest by clicking on the 'Enrol Me' button. We will assemble waiting list and then schedule the workshop to suit the most experienced members who have put up their hands to help! A number of very good video tutorials have been found on the web. We will look at some of these.
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
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.
This course follows from Email and Internet Basics Level 1 and will extend your knowledge of the email process in Windows Live Mail 2011. If you still have Windows Live Mail 2010, you should carry out the update which comes automatically with Windows Updates. WLM 2011 is very different from the 2010 version, but it is a much better program and, despite the increase in your learning curve, it is recommended that you learn to use it!
Students must have completed Email Basics Level 1 in Windows Live Mail and be very familiar with the interface. Students should complete "Elementary Word Processing in Email" before enrolling in this course. Formatting in HTML/Rich Text format is not covered in this course.
Confidence and experience in basic email skills is necessary, this course will extend and enhance your options in email.
Following the excellent presentation by on the Auckland Library Family History Databases, Jay Venables will take another demonstration workshop. You will learn more about “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 single session will look at the latest 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. Those members whose File Management skills are limited should attend File Management for Windows7 and Vista Level 2
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 course teaches Word 2007 & 2010 to beginners in word processing. It covers basic aspects of this program commonly used by most people who do not need advanced word processing. The skills achieved from this course will enable the student to produce a document of high standard if they wish.
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.
Word 2007, Word 2010
Why backup, what to backup, how to backup. For XP, Vista and Windows 7.
Previous experience with file management is desirable.
A healthy computer is a happy computer and that makes a happy computer user!
Students should be familiar with the Microsoft operating system of their computer.
It is essential to be proficient with the computer Skills covered in Level 1 & 2.
Microsoft WindowsXP, Vista or Windows7
Using the Windows Picture folder programs to view and print your pictures. In WindowsXP this program is the "Windows Fax and Picture Viewer". In Windows Vista and Windows7, it is the "Windows Photo Gallery". We can also look at Picasa and other graphics managing programs you suggest.
The WindowsXP program has a limited number of adjustments and a good printing routine. Windows Photo Gallery which comes bundled with Vista and is downloadable from Microsoft Windows Live for Windows7 is a good program with a number of basic editing 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
Use PowerPoint to design your attention-grabbing presentation. In this workshop you will design your own PowerPoint presentation with your own pictures and text and you will use the version of PowerPoint that you own, be it 2003, 2007 or 2010. A CD will be provided with information from the web and educational material on PowerPoint. Specific notes on each version will not be provided, but you can jot down you own notes. The first lesson will be a demonstration on the workings of PowerPoint. Then you will start your own project.
Participants are taught how to produce a slide show using this program.
Students must have a good knowledge of their Windows operating system, file management skills and competence with the mouse and keyboard. It will also be vital to be familiar with the version of Word in your MS Office suite that contains your chosen version of PowerPoint. For PowerPoint 2007/2010, if you are not familiar with the Ribbon in Office 2007/2010, please complete the Level 2 Basic Word 2007/2010 course first
MS PowerPoint 2003, 2007, 2010
Preparation for this workshop: Ideally you should have thought out a plan, a design for your PPT project; decide on the order of your pictures and the text to go with them. Write up your text in a Word file so you can copy/paste it into your PPT slides. Put this file and all your pictures on a memory stick and bring to the class.
A course based on Publisher 2003, 2007 and 2010 covering various aspects of creative computing using graphics and text.
A good knowledge the sane version 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, 2007 or 2010
This workshop is an extension of the Publisher 2003/2007/2010 course and is intended for those members interested in making greeting cards on their computer.
Very good computer skills are necessary for this workshop.
You must have completed the Publisher 2003/2007/2010 course or be very confident with all the basic processes in your version of Publisher
The workshop will be based on MS Publisher Version 2003, 2007 and 2010.
Many people of SeniorNet age have boxes of old photographs and a great desire to bring those relics into the 21st century. Technology now enables us to do this on our own equipment - computers, scanners, DVD players and colour TVs. This course will cover the basics of scanning for digitising pictures and simple enhancement methods for improving the images will be included. OCR (Optical Character Recognition) scanning for converting the printed page to a text document on your computer will also covered. The course will be based on the multifunction HP-C7180 scanner, which has scanning, printing, and photocopying functions, but an effort will be made to help students with the software of their own scanners. Digitising slides is covered in a special workshop.
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.
A scanner connected to your computer
The software for your scanner, a graphics editing program, eg Picasa, Photoshop Elements, PhotoStudio, Paint.Net etc An OCR program, eg Scansoft's Omnipage, ABBY Fine Reader or the OCR software for the Brother scanner.
The course will be limited to three people
In years past, before the days of digital cameras, we used film to produce photographs, first in black and white (or greyscale as we now call it) and then in colour. Those photos may be old and blotchy, colour photos may have faded or have yellow or pink colour casts on them. You may want some more prints, but the negatives went long ago. Anyhow, getting re-prints from old negatives in 2012 is expensive and sometimes not very successful. Negatives can also become blotchy. All is not lost! old photos can be scanned to digital files and then enhanced in a photo editing program. So this workshop is aimed to "rescue" those old photos, and to transfer them on to CDs for showing on any computer or DVD player. The workshop will use the multifunction HP-C7180 scanner, which has scanning, printing, and photocopying functions. It can convert photos to digital files, as many as will fit on the platen at a time.
This is a workshop for the student's benefit, so a good knowledge of basic computing and file management is necessary.
You must have completed all the SNEB Level 1 modules or have experience that has reached this level.
You own scanner is not necessary for this workshop as the SNEB HP Photosmart Multifunction will be used.
The workshop is restricted to TWO participants only, but it will be necessary to have two participants for the workshop to commence.
Make a Photo Book using the software from My-Books. The introduction to this workshop will be an "all-day session" where the tutor will get you going on your project. You should bring your prepared photos on a memory stick and start preparing your photo book while learning the software. The tutor will have the program installed on the SNEB computers. But you may bring your laptop and Sue will install the program for you.
A good understanding of basic computing is vital. Photos must be of a good resolution, the resolution when sized to suit should be at least 300ppi to prevent pixelation.
All Level 1 courses must have been completed or the standard achieved. You must be able to find your picture files which requires a minimum of Level 1 File management.
The software will be provided
My-Books frequently puts cost saving vouchers on the various web-pages like Treatme, Groupon and Grabone.
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 users, Windows DVD Maker is included and Movie Maker 14 is a free download from WindowsLive.
This course is restricted to members who have Windows Vista or Windows7
Wed, Jun 13, 2012
Wed, Jul 11, 2012
