Mum getting all techno.....

dori2o

My mum has just ordered a Dell Inspiron 15, she wants to get onto the net for shopping, Dad is cutting up the credit cards as we speak.

I am the one who is going to have to teach her how to use the laptop, but with work, wife and 2 kids the time I have is going to be limited.

I know Which? used to do a free guide to using a computer but cannot find it anywhere.

Can anyone provide me with a link to a site that offers a free how to guide I can order for my mum?

Would it be worth checking out the local library?

Any help appreciated.

456789

library should have something like intro to windows/internet

spud17

With the new school year starting soon, most areas will have evening / weekend classes for the winter, often geared to the beginner/more mature type.

(The latter obviously doesn't apply here).

With the present economic climate things might have changed, but I expect there is only a nominal fee.

dori2o

spud17 wrote: »

With the new school year starting soon, most areas will have evening / weekend classes for the winter, often geared to the beginner/more mature type.

(The latter obviously doesn't apply here).

With the present economic climate things might have changed, but I expect there is only a nominal fee.

My mum is disabled and would not be able to get to the colleges, thanks for the suggestion though,it may be something we can think about for my wife as she wants to gain more experience with computers. She'snot bad with facebook etc, but needs to learn about Office docs etc. I was hoping that as she is unemployed she might get Clait or ECDL for free, but as she's only getting her National Insurance conts paid by Job Centre she is not eligable for free courses.

Suppose I could ask on freecycle if anyone has the Clait/Clait+/ECDL workbooks with CD.

timbim_2

If you can get them, the "for dummies" range of books on amazon are very good, and also good value for money. I've used a couple in the past, and found them to be very good.

Baileys_Babe

timbim wrote: »

If you can get them, the "for dummies" range of books on amazon are very good, and also good value for money. I've used a couple in the past, and found them to be very good.

or borrow them from your local library for free. If the format is not to your liking you can try out another range until you / your mother finds a style thats suits.

Our local authority also has ECDL & CLAIT books, maybe worth looking at for your wife.

spud17

My mum is disabled and would not be able to get to the colleges, thanks for the suggestion though,it may be something we can think about for my wife as she wants to gain more experience with computers. She'snot bad with facebook etc, but needs to learn about Office docs etc. I was hoping that as she is unemployed she might get Clait or ECDL for free, but as she's only getting her National Insurance conts paid by Job Centre she is not eligable for free courses.

I don't know your circumstances, but in 2000, I'd never touched a computer, and I did a basic C&G course at my local college.

I was fully employed, but the government paid, except for the exam fee.

But more importantly, the courses were run at the weekends, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and all we had to do, was attend for 20hrs over 10 weeks.

In addition, the staff were really geared up for people with difficulties whether it was physical, mental or general problems with reading/writing.

Have you actually checked your local college/school ?

Failing that, I second the Dummies books!

Mike_by_the_Sea

dori2o wrote: »

I know Which? used to do a free guide to using a computer but cannot find it anywhere.

Can anyone provide me with a link to a site that offers a free how to guide I can order for my mum?

Hi dori2o

Good luck with your mum.

Here is the info for the Which? guide

For expert advice on trouble-free computing, call 0800 53 30 32 and quote PCFREE837 for a free Which? Easy Use PC Guide.

Mike

Blackpool_Saver

this is a good place to start

http://www.bbc.co.uk/computertutor/computertutorone/index.shtml?scope=global&survey=no&surveyname=2009q3&site=computertutor&url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/computertutor/computertutorone/index.shtml&js=yes&uid=948a93b1182694602689353b216e936f8f5a1aea10c00174a41f79c744235d65

Jaymo

Hi dori2o,

Does your mum know how to do the general basics of computing or is she a complete newbie?

Also if the laptop is new from dell I'll assume its coming with Vista pre-loaded onto it. I can forward an e-book to yourself (which I have full re-distribution rights for, before anyone starts asking). Which explains Microsoft Vista - not sure how good it would be but if you want it (its for free by the way). Let me know

GCF website may also be a good place to start with the very basics and you don't really need to sign up to read their guides (most of which have video guides as well) and best of all its all free! click here for the link.

Hope some of that helps! I know how anoying it can be to teach a mum computers :rotfl:

macman

I don't think you Mum is going to need any formal lessons in order to go shopping on the net.
Most women seem to have this retail ability pre-programmed in...