Recs and ReadsBy Anne McKay GarrisI always admired the Little Engine That Could, as celebrated in a children's book read to me when I was a child and still in print today. You probably remember, the Little Engine kept saying, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." So, when I tell you we are going to have computer classes at the Beach Recreation Center, starting on July 7, I hope you will see it as your opportunity to plunge recklessly into the computer age by signing up. The cost is right -- only $15 or $20, depending on what kind of Recreation Center pass you have. It will probably be a small class so you can get hands on help if you hit a snag. What can I say to motivate you to get your teeth into using a computer? Let's start with explaining, you don't have to know why it works, you just have to know how to work it. How many homemakers, for instance, would not dream of saying they couldn't' learn to use a stove? (Unless, of course they simply hated cooking and wanted an excuse.) All they have to do is know, if you turn this switch, that burner will heat up. They don't have to know why the burner heats up, just that it will. So, all you have to do to operate a computer is to know what happens when you "click here" and what happens when you "click there." You don't have to understand why, just that it does. For further motivation, may I tell you that I just talked to my daughter in France. Her voice came through the computer speaker and mine went to hers the same way. We had a delightful chat and the cost was zilch, zero. They even have cameras available so you can see each other while you chat. Also, both of my granddaughters put pictures of their babies and stories of their adventures on their computer "bloggs" every single week. It only takes me a couple of clicks to see the pictures and read all about them. They can even do videos! And that's just the beginning. Call the Rec Center at 462-6138 and get your name on the list right away. The first class, on Tuesday, July 7, from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon, will be all about getting started with Windows programs 95, 98, 2000, ME, XP, and Vista. On July 14, you will proceed to learning some basic skills that will help you do the things you want to do right away. And, I'm asked to remind you that both the Center and the Library will be closed on Friday, July 3, because they won't be there to be closed on Saturday, July 4. Nevertheless, the park on the east side of the Center is a great place from which to watch the fireworks.
|