Workshops go more smoothly when                       people with similar computer skills work together.

The Advanced User
An "advanced" user is a daily computer user who can quickly and easily navigate through a computer's operating system as well as open, edit and create files. The "advanced program user" already has a solid foundation in a particular program about which he or she is attempting to learn more.

The Intermediate User
An "intermediate user" is a daily computer user who feels at ease with the keyboard and mouse. The intermediate user can quickly and easily navigate through the computer's operating system as well as open, edit and create files. The intermediate user is willing to explore the use of computer technology. Skill Set List

The Beginner User
A "beginner" user* is a frequent computer user who can navigate through a computer's operating system in order to open, edit and create files. However, the beginner is generally slower at these tasks. *Note: A beginning computer user is not a novice to computers—that is, one who is fairly new to computer use.

The Novice
The CTL currently has no classes for " Novice" computer users. At this time, the posted classes are not for you. You will need to spend a little time familiarizing yourself with computer use first.   Please drop by the CTL where you can make appointments to begin simple online-turorials about using a PC or Macintosh computer.
POETs SFSU, Mac OSX tutorial - http://poets.sfsu.edu/osx/
Microsoft Windows XP tutorial, 2005, http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/default.mspx

Intermediate Skill Set List

If a class is marked "intermediate user",  before signing up,  you will need to be able to:

use your operating system with ease

• use a mouse - click, double click, drag (right click - PC / control-click -Mac)
• use the finder menu bar (Start Menu), pull down menus, dialog boxes
• resize a window, move a window, activate a window, collapse a window,
• open a program, use its tool bar, create a folder, save a file into the folder, search for lost files on the hard disk
• select, copy, paste and delete data

use you computer's folder organization with ease

• find and open a file in a folder on the desktop
• find and open a file embedded within the system's folders on the hard drive
• save a file into a specified folder on the desktop or hard drive

use a browser with ease

• open a browser and set your preferences
• enter web addresses in the location field
• navigate forward and backward through a series of web pages
• conduct a search for a focused topic
• download a document or PDF file (and then open and read it.)

use email on a daily basis

• receive and send email with ease
• detach and open email attachments
• decompress and open compressed files (zip and unzip files)

troubleshoot and solve small problems ( experience)

• keep up with the instructor's demonstration while operating your own computer
• use the class handout, if you get behind the instructor's progress while pursuing a tangent activity
• "force quit"(Mac) / "end task" (PC) an application if it freezes and restart the computer
• ask for help from the 'class assistant' rather than falling behind and bringing the class to a halt while the instructor helps you catch up.

Use WebReadyPlus online resource to learn additional Internet skills.