Teaching Mom to use a comp - Any suggestions?

**K-B** · 03-05-2006, 01:00 PM

My mom finally wants to learn to use a computer. Does anybody know of a good book or course geared toward very much toward beginners and technophobes?
Thanks for any advice

mimo2005 · 03-05-2006, 01:45 PM

sorry , someone had to do it .

the most annoying guy in my book .

**Glaswegian** · 03-05-2006, 01:54 PM

mimo - to a non-american - who is that?

kbalona - perhaps one the 'Dummies' series might help? Only one I can think of if you're starting from scratch.

**forcifer** · 03-05-2006, 01:55 PM

lol, if nothing else works, you could teach her. your pretty good with them (im just a noob who doesnt know what he is doing and admits it)

mimo2005 · 03-05-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

mimo - to a non-american - who is that?

you know between 2 am and 6 am , some tv channels air commercials , and that guy is all over the channels saying he can teach you computer if you buy his cds , i usually switch channels and find him again in another channel doing the same thing lol

http://www.videoprofessor.com/comput...ining_lessons/

i dont know how good are his products ,sorry but it s not for me

**devil lady** · 03-05-2006, 04:34 PM

I don't know where she lives but the NYPL runs free hands on courses for adults. http://www.nypl.org/classes/branchcl...Basics&struct=
I would assume most libraries would. I used to teach adults in this type of course and they found it quite difficult to learn it all from a book. No one to answer their questions.

**Glaswegian** · 03-05-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimo2005

you know between 2 am and 6 am , some tv channels air commercials , and that guy is all over the channels saying he can teach you computer if you buy his cds , i usually switch channels and find him again in another channel doing the same thing lol

http://www.videoprofessor.com/comput...ining_lessons/

i dont know how good are his products ,sorry but it s not for me

I've heard of Video Professor - this guy doesn't like him at all.

http://www.clariondeveloper.com/videoprofessorscam/

**K-B** · 03-05-2006, 04:53 PM

Ha ha, that guy kept popping up in my searches. Free* this and Free* that. I didn't trust him

Actually, I think probably the best way is to help her along, but I wanted some kind of book, also. I think I'll look into a book from the "Dummies" series. Thanks for all the responses.

*Plus shipping & handling

**forcifer** · 03-05-2006, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glaswegian

I've heard of Video Professor - this guy doesn't like him at all.

http://www.clariondeveloper.com/videoprofessorscam/

that isnt him. that sight must be talking about someone else

mimo2005 · 03-05-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forcifer

that isnt him. that sight must be talking about someone else

I think it is the same guy that rip people off , never liked him since day 1 when i saw him on tv .

anyway check these links for your mom :

How to Use Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/default.mspx

Windows XP setup and maintenance
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...p/default.mspx

Windows XP Tutorial - The Windows XP desktop & icons

http://www.helpwithpcs.com/courses/w...al-desktop.htm
Windows XP Tutorial (beginners)
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/courses/Course.htm

Know it all
http://www.eabnet.org.uk/knowitall/b...inxp/intro.htm

i am sure there are plenty out there , i ll keep looking for you if this is not enough .

Tumbleweed36 · 03-05-2006, 06:38 PM

Hi kbalona,

Back on track. Actually the books called "for dummies" with specific areas are about as good as you can get to teach someone who knows nothing. They are straight forward, well written, and kind of self-explanatory in my opinion. Most computer stores and book stores have the individual books with specific topics you can choose and guide her learning progress. With that series, she won't be a stranger to the computer very long.

Also, most libraries offer some help to beginners, so you might keep an eye out for a beginners class that is free to join. I also noticed the local college sometimes has a class for adults, so you might keep a look out in your area for one of those free classes.

My suggestion initially would be to put an IM program on the computer and set her up with someone she knows on the other end and let them chat to become familar with the machine. As you progress, show her how to get that program going in your absence. That should make her feel comfortable and more willing to learn about the total computer when her comfort level is adequate.

That is my two cents worth and I certainly AM NOT the Video Professor.

Hope that helps.

sinclair_tm · 03-05-2006, 09:49 PM

buy a mac.

(someone had to say it, and as always, it was me.

)

v-six · 03-05-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimo2005

"please buy my product"

Chevy · 03-05-2006, 10:55 PM

Another option is too look for some local computer user groups ... They often have new user classes.

I also second the "PC's for Dummies" and "Windows XP for Dummies" ... great books for beginners.

**toxict3arz** · 03-06-2006, 12:22 AM

i dont know about moms .. but ive tried teaching my grandpa

LEARN FROM ME! DONT DO IT! QUIT WHILE YOUR AHEAD!

edit:

800~~~ w00tw00t

Magical · 03-06-2006, 01:09 AM

wow lol you all are out of control with that video proffessor thing haha.... but yeah i would look into helping her yourself or getting a computer manual... "for dummies."

03-05-2006, 01:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
K-B Moderator/Gearhead Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,738 OS: Ubuntu 8.04 My System	Teaching Mom to use a comp - Any suggestions? My mom finally wants to learn to use a computer. Does anybody know of a good book or course geared toward very much toward beginners and technophobes? Thanks for any advice

03-05-2006, 01:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
mimo2005 Manager, The Relaxation Room/Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 11,091 OS: xp	sorry , someone had to do it . the most annoying guy in my book . __________________ TSF has outgrown its server, again. Please help "Gutta cavat lapidem, non vi sed saepe cadendo" Last edited by mimo2005 : 03-05-2006 at 01:49 PM.

03-05-2006, 01:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Glaswegian Moderator/ Rangemaster TSF Academy; Analyst, Security Team; Oor Wullie; TSF Surgeon and Resident Comic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Glasgow Posts: 21,670 OS: Win XP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 10	mimo - to a non-american - who is that? kbalona - perhaps one the 'Dummies' series might help? Only one I can think of if you're starting from scratch. __________________ Iain - Defender of the Haggis and all things Scottish. I don't help by PM - post in the Forums. Ad-Aware::SpywareBlaster::SpyBot::SpywareGuard::SnoopFree::AVG Free::HOSTS File::HijackThis::Donate::5 Steps For Infected PCs

03-05-2006, 01:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
forcifer good bye and good luck Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,486 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	lol, if nothing else works, you could teach her. your pretty good with them (im just a noob who doesnt know what he is doing and admits it) __________________ im back...i guess...

03-05-2006, 04:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
devil lady Tech, Design Team Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 957 OS: XP SP2 My System	I don't know where she lives but the NYPL runs free hands on courses for adults. http://www.nypl.org/classes/branchcl...Basics&struct= I would assume most libraries would. I used to teach adults in this type of course and they found it quite difficult to learn it all from a book. No one to answer their questions. __________________ . HiJackThis Everest Home Edition Ad Aware Spybot S & D Ewido online scan Spyware Blaster

03-05-2006, 04:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
K-B Moderator/Gearhead Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,738 OS: Ubuntu 8.04 My System	Ha ha, that guy kept popping up in my searches. Free* this and Free* that. I didn't trust him Actually, I think probably the best way is to help her along, but I wanted some kind of book, also. I think I'll look into a book from the "Dummies" series. Thanks for all the responses. *Plus shipping & handling

03-05-2006, 06:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 14,890 OS: XP Professional	Hi kbalona, Back on track. Actually the books called "for dummies" with specific areas are about as good as you can get to teach someone who knows nothing. They are straight forward, well written, and kind of self-explanatory in my opinion. Most computer stores and book stores have the individual books with specific topics you can choose and guide her learning progress. With that series, she won't be a stranger to the computer very long. Also, most libraries offer some help to beginners, so you might keep an eye out for a beginners class that is free to join. I also noticed the local college sometimes has a class for adults, so you might keep a look out in your area for one of those free classes. My suggestion initially would be to put an IM program on the computer and set her up with someone she knows on the other end and let them chat to become familar with the machine. As you progress, show her how to get that program going in your absence. That should make her feel comfortable and more willing to learn about the total computer when her comfort level is adequate. That is my two cents worth and I certainly AM NOT the Video Professor. Hope that helps. __________________ ----------

03-05-2006, 10:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
Chevy Semi-Retired Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Notlob Posts: 5,183 OS: Vista Ultimate My System	Another option is too look for some local computer user groups ... They often have new user classes. I also second the "PC's for Dummies" and "Windows XP for Dummies" ... great books for beginners. __________________ “The man who smiles when things go wrong has thought of someone to blame it on. ” - Robert Bloch

03-06-2006, 12:22 AM	#15 (permalink)
toxict3arz TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,223 OS: windows XP Pro	i dont know about moms .. but ive tried teaching my grandpa LEARN FROM ME! DONT DO IT! QUIT WHILE YOUR AHEAD! edit: 800~~~ w00tw00t

03-06-2006, 01:09 AM	#16 (permalink)
Magical Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wyoming, MI Posts: 227 OS: Windows Xp Pro My System	wow lol you all are out of control with that video proffessor thing haha.... but yeah i would look into helping her yourself or getting a computer manual... "for dummies."

03-06-2006, 03:56 AM	#17 (permalink)