SBCC NC and CLL Winter 2015 Term Registration Begins Dec 8th!

Registration for Winter 2015 Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Non Credit (State Funded formerly called Continued Ed.)  and Center of Lifelong Learning (Fee based) classes will begin Dec 8th at 8 am. Class for both NC and CLL can already be viewed online at http://sbcc.augusoft.net/

I will be teaching a variety of beginning computer classes for Non Credit (NC), one genealogy class for Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL)  and two intermediate classes through the SBCC credit. Paper catalogs are available at both Wake and Schott Campuses

Computer classes are on Pages 13-17 Non Credit Schedule
(Formerly called Adult Ed or Continuing Ed - Still State Funded.) go to:
http://wfs.sbcc.edu/staff/naeggli/Eggli-Handouts/Classes/NC_Winter-2015_WEB_Schedule.pdf

Genealogy classes are on pages 42 &43 in Center of Lifelong Learning Schedule
(formerly called Adult Ed but now fee-based) go to:
http://wfs.sbcc.edu/staff/naeggli/Eggli-Handouts/Classes/CLL_Winter-2015_WEB_Schedule.pdf

Credit Computer Classes taught at Wake  Campus are listed on page 18 of Non Credit Schedule
http://wfs.sbcc.edu/staff/naeggli/Eggli-Handouts/Classes/NC_Winter-2015_WEB_Schedule.pdf

Remember you can register for NC and CLL classes either online or in person.
To register online go to:  http://sbcc.augusoft.net/
Or
In person, at either Wake or Schott Campuses.
For locations and hours:  http://sbcc.edu/ce/

There are two ways to register Credit Classes
Online Registration: www.sbcc.edu/apply  The CRN numbers are listed next to the class names on my class list flier or on page 18 of the Non Credit Catalog.
~ OR ~
Send an email to Tim Stone at trstone@pipeline.sbcc.edu
For further information call Tim Stone at 683-8282.

When to Consider Replacing your Computer

Have you ever wondered how your computer indicates or shows you it maybe time to consider replacing it? I am a firm believer use your computer as long as you can - i.e. if it is still working and doing what you want or need it to do, there is no need to replace it. However, there are very distinct warning signs that you may need to replace it soon.  Some of these symptoms can be cured by maintenance of your computer but if you are experiencing many of this symptoms, you may consider it is time to start looking for another computer. Here is the list of some of  the warning signs:

1. The most obvious - it died - won't start at all. 
2. Does it take 15 minutes or longer to boot up ( i.e. turn on)?
3. Is the computer more that 5 years old?
4. Is the operating system on the computer more than 10 years old or no longer supported?
5. Does it seem to take forever for websites to load?
6. Have you seen the blue screen of death or sometimes scarier just plan blank screen?
7. Does the fan make a terrible noise?
8. Does it shut down or turn itself off when it gets too hot?
   (This happens in some older laptops especially)

If you have reached the point it is time to get another computer, here are some tips to consider before you go looking for a new one:

1. Figure out what you need or want the computer to be able to do i.e. email, graphics, genealogy, bookkeeping, letters, etc.
2. Is there specific software that runs better or only runs on one type of computer i.e. MAC vs PC i.e. some booking software tends to run better in Windows i.e. PC?
3. What size of screen/monitor do you want to use?
4. What is your budget (get the best computer your budget allows)?
5. How long do you want this computer to last (hint: sometimes spending a little more up front may get you a better machine that will last longer)?
6. Where do you want to use it i.e. if for traveling - consider a laptop or maybe even a tablet?
7. Do your homework before you go to a store: compare the ads i.e. either online or newspaper.

Bottom line - you need to know what you want a computer to do and which software it needs to run before you get into a store to buy one. Prepare before going shopping. If you are armed with your comparisons, specs and needs, the chances are greater you will buy the right computer for you.

Looking for another way to find things on the web?

Have you ever wondered if there was another way to search the internet? Do you always use the same search engine like Google or Yahoo? Did you know there are other search engines? Are you aware the possiblitlies of a better search using a metasearch engine (a website that searchs multiple search engine at same time). For some variety, check out the following websites:

100 Web search engines or directories

http://websearch.about.com/library/searchengine/blsearchenginesatoz.htm?terms=search+engines

The Search Engine List, A Comprehensive List of Search Engines You Can Use 

By Wendy Boswell

http://websearch.about.com/od/enginesanddirectories/tp/search-engine-list.htm

A listing of Metasearch engines:

http://websearch.about.com/od/metasearchengines/Meta_Search_EnginesSearch_with_the_Best_Meta_Search_Engines.htm

Some of my favorite Metasearch engines:

Beaucoup.com

http://beaucoup.com/

Dogpile.com

http://www.dogpile.com/

Gigablast.com

http://www.gigablast.com/

For More on Searching the Web

There is still room in my class - Searching the Web that is starting this coming Saturday July 19, 2014. It meets July 19 and July 26, 2014 (2 Saturdays) from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm in Room 4 at the Wake Campus. 

Course/Class Number: 903321/14074   Cost: $5

For additional information about the class:

http://sbcc.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=14074&int_category_id=8&int_sub_category_id=212&int_catalog_id=0

Remember you can register for classes either online or in person.
To register online go to:  http://sbcc.augusoft.net/
Or
In person, at either Wake or Schott Campuses.
For locations and hours:  http://sbcc.edu/ce/

Desktop Clutter - Is it slowing down your computer?

I know I’m guilty of saving files/folder on the desktop of our computer so that I can find it easily. On both MACs and PCs, this additional clutter or amount of files/folders can and if you have enough will slow down the computer. I have even witnessed (not a computer I own but on a friend’s computer) that if enough is stored/save directly on the desktop, the computer not only ran slow but it no longer allowed for more saving, copying or pasting of files/folders. (Note: this problem was solved by deleting some files and then moving most of the files to the main user folder)

The bottom line:

To organize the information for easy access from your desktop what I recommend is create your folders in the main user folder and then create a shortcut or alias to these folder(s) on the desktop instead . Then save directly into these folders using the shortcut or alias.

OR

If you still want to store something temporarily on the desktop you can put it there but when done move them as soon as possible into one of folders in the main user folder. To move the file or folder just do this just click and drag it onto appropriate the shortcut or alias icon and let go of the mouse button. Having the shortcuts save time and frustration for locating files.

Windows PC - Directions to create shortcut

1.      Start Windows Explorer or File Explorer
(Press Flying Windows key +E)

2.      Find the file or folder

3.      Do a right click on it

4.      Move mouse onto Send to

5.      Click on Desktop (create short cut)

MAC OS X- Directions to create an alias

1.      Start Finder

2.      Locate the file/folder

3.      Press the Command and Option keys while you drag the icon to another folder or the desktop.

      http://support.apple.com/kb/ta26514

Additional websites that address this issue

Speed Up Windows Desktop - How to Clean Your Windows (PC) Desktop

Better Use Your Computer's Memory  By Mark Baggesen

http://windows.about.com/od/tipsandadvice/qt/cleandt.htm

How Can I Get My Messy (MAC) Desktop Under Control?

by Adam Dachis 8/08/12 10:00am

http://lifehacker.com/5932527/how-can-i-get-my-messy-desktop-under-control

SBCC CE and CLL Classes Summer 2014

Registration and classes for Summer 2014 Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Continuing Education (CE) and Center of Lifelong Learning (CLL) have begun. I will be teaching a variety of beginning classes for CE and two intermediate classes through the SBCC credit. Paper catalogs are available at both Wake and Schott Campuses

If you want a digital catalog for CE (Noncredit) go to:
http://sbcc.edu/ce/files/CE_Summer-2014_FOR-WEB.pdf

If you want a digital catalog for CLL (Center of Lifelong Learning) go to:
http://www.sbcc.edu/cll/files/CLL_Summer14_MAY13_40Pages_1PM.pdf

Remember you can register for classes either online or in person.
To register online go to:  http://sbcc.augusoft.net/
Or
In person, at either Wake or Schott Campuses.
For locations and hours:  http://sbcc.edu/ce/

For complete details of the classes I have teaching:
http://wfs.sbcc.edu/staff/naeggli/Eggli-Handouts/Classes/Summer_2014_Eggli_classes.pdf