> My teaching averages about one day per week. My CPA wants me to start to give a series of one-day seminars on computer utilization for small business owners (their clients). His firm wants to wait until May to get this rolling, and the overview course is to be based on my one paper, "Bullet-Proof Your Computer, Protect Your Data". That is such a "12 high view" overview, with information that does change frequently enough that I have to bring forth updated editions at least annually, that I can foresee the need for at least 9 or more fairly in-depth seminars. Thus far in addition to the Overview Seminar I see the need for:
- System and File Backups, and Protecting Your Data From Loss & Attack. Simple data backup & recovery techniques, and how to set up an image and/or file backup schedule. AntiVirus/AntiMalware/Software Firewall solutions, and how to configure the applications. Use of Uninterruptible Power Systems. Basic Firewall and Router information (a lead into the LAN Basics seminar). Password use. - LAN Basics. Setting up a simple LAN (no such thing <g>), Internet Connectivity, General Routing and Firewall techniques, setting up a WiFi network, and WiFi Security. - Office Productivity Applications. General office productivity software from Microsoft Office to the on-the-cheap alternatives (OpenOffice and other free/low cost apps for cost conscious business operations). Zip compression and file encryption. Using ftp instead of eMail attachments to transmit files. - MailMerge and eMailMerge "Pseudo-Automation" Techniques. Creating Mail/eMailMerge documents, labels, and lists in conjunction with database files. Using Stamps.com or Endicia.com for quick & easy postage needs. On-Line USPS, FedEx, etc. Beginning database utilization for quick, dirty & simple marketing. How to tell it is time to call an database or marketing expert. Who is a "qualified expert"? - General OS and attached equipment use, LAN connectivity and Maintenance (Defrag). - Service Contracts, Maintenance Agreements, Reading The Fine Print & Weasel-Wording Gotcha's. How to get the most out of a support contract, and how to avoid the ones primarily meant to separate you from your hard earned money. - Remote System Productivity. Setup and Use of pcAnywhere, VPNs, GoToMyPC, LogMeIn, VNC, etc. - General System Troubleshooting. Basic troubleshooting, and when to call an expert for help. How to select a system repair vendor. - Legislative Compliance. Do Not Call and Consumer Privacy legislation compliance. Complying with legislation re: Terrorist Do Not Sell lists (this will require me to bring in a specialist to speak, very specific information has to be covered). Content Filters, and legislation involving offensive content being "consumed" in the workplace. Child Porn legislation, business owners' responsibilities and preventing potential exposure to criminal prosecution and lawsuits. File and Data encryption techniques. Software license compliance. Anything outside the scope of the material covered in the seminars would need to be provided on a consulting basis, or an additional seminar offering would need to be put together if enough of the same questions come up. Although I would LOVE to put together a basic Linux or Mac OS X seminar, I am not yet comfortable with my skill set in those areas yet. So, although many of the issues I plan to cover can be applied to Linux and Mac, the more software related material will be for a Windows audience. Reality bites. I never really intended to go this route, but I know there is a crying need for cost effective information with small business owners. Most of these folks I run into really have not a clue, and just get by with sheer luck with their computer systems. I have already lined up several resources to point these folks to for additional help, as there is no way I could possibly handle any additional distractions with having to try to fix all the ills for attendee systems. And, me being the kind hearted person I am, I need to protect myself from perpetually "doing folks favors" to my own detriment. So I guess it will have to be a Duck-And-Cover series of seminars <g>... We will see... Gil > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Kenneth Kixmoeller/fh > Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 8:45 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [NF] Amazing Gmail Feature that could make your life easier > > > > On Apr 19, 2008, at 7:30 AM, Gil Hale wrote: > > Clearly > > that is not the same as teaching a room full of students over the > > course of > > several months a subject in depth. > > My teaching averages about one day per week. These are working folks > from local organizations of all types. The "students" range from > complete "users" to folks who are really good and just want a jump > start to a new application. We joke about "just needing to be one > page in the manual" ahead of the students, but it really isn't true. > The good students ask deep questions that require a real > understanding of how a given program has been designed. That is what > makes it fun. > > [excessive quoting removed by server] _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/[EMAIL PROTECTED] ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
