Old-fashioned computer training is too long. The ability to absorb dense information decreases rapidly after the first two hours.

My alternative is different. Class sizes of 1-4 and a focus on boosting your productivity. Real-world examples and informed opinion rather than sales talk. So one 4-hour session is sufficient to be effective, exciting and motivating.

Low, LOW training fees due to our low overheads. You can also bring friends and colleagues for just a tiny extra charge per person. There will be no strangers in your class ... and no irrelevant interruptions. A computer is still provided for each attendee.

Common KEY PRINCIPLES and SPECIFICS for each product course

The common elements throughout each course include:

Brief overview and tour of major features

The primary work area. The 20% of available tools and features that comprise 80% of everyday tasks. What to explore in the future.

Strengths and weaknesses

Informed opinion on what features you should (and should not) use.

Tips and shortcuts

We will show you the best and quickest way to achieve everyday tasks.

Creating and editing work

Creating new work, editing existing documents, importing text and pictures.

Using and exchanging what you've created

Relevant file types and their uses, how best to share your work, common print problems and efficiency tips, using external print companies. Real print examples used.

Problem check lists

Simple ways to help yourself be self-reliant.

Self-help resources

We provide an excellent set of resources to take away and show you how to improve your skills in future at no additional cost.

Short Practical "Project"

To help you overcome future panic, you have the opportunity to start with a clean slate and tackle a short task that utilises the new skills you have learned. Help will be given only when asked.

Product specifics include:

MICROSOFT OFFICE

The key training elements are identical in both 2003 and 2007 versions and you can use whichever you prefer. Due to major cosmetic changes to the 2007 user interface, the trainer will occasionally demonstrate both versions to show that the fundamentals are indeed the same.

WORD

The Paragraph concept (paragraph formatting, styles, Table of Contents), Headers/Footers, Tables, creating graphics and importing photos/logos/etc, data merging, document design concepts

EXCEL

Data entry methods, drop down lists and validation, data type concepts and common difficulties, formatting, references (relative, absolute and named), formulas, worksheet design for productivity and accuracy

POWERPOINT

Master slide design, slide organisation, content (text, graphics, audio, movies), slide animation, design and presentation guidelines

ADOBE PRODUCTS

The key training elements we focus on are identical in all CS (Creative Suite) versions. Our training computers currently use CS3 products.

PHOTOSHOP

Pixels, colour, image size vs. file size, and the uses & importance of the major file formats. Foreground/background concept. Pixel selection methods and pixel editing. Layers and blending, masks, tone and colour adjustments. Tips for dealing with commerical printers.

ILLUSTRATOR

Vectors vs pixels, fill and stroke, the major drawing tools and techniques, text tools and using text as a design element, paths, masks, layers and blending, tips for dealing with commerical printers.

INDESIGN

Multi-page document design, frames, frame attributes (fill, stroke and text), text and styles, layers, blending, drawing tools and techniques. Tips for dealing with commerical printers.

HOW TO BOOK A COURSE - it's all about YOUR convenience

Course DATE S and TIMES - YOU get to choose YOUR OWN DATE !

YOU nominate the day and time you want! If you give us some flexibility, e.g. two dates, you can be confident that we will confirm within 48hrs which date and time we can accommodate.

Most people are happy with 9.30am-1.30pm (trafiic, work, schools etc.), but the standard course fee allows you to select any start time between 8.00 am and 2pm, Monday to Friday.

ENROLLING, PAYMENT AND GUARANTEE

Provided we have agreed on the software and a date/time (and we'll confirm both):

• we will email a Tax Invoice within 24hrs of the verbal agreement
• You will be required to EFT (send a cheque or visit with cash) the course fee within 24hrs of the agreement
• We will confirm receipt of payment by SMS/phone/email
• Payment guarantees that we will run the course on the agreed date/time ... even if you are the only attendee!

NOTE - once booked, the training session "belongs" to the person/organisation who pays . You can bring others (up to the class max of 4 people) provided you advise us the day before and agree to pay the nominal charge per extra person.

FREE "SHOWBAG"

Before departing, you will receive a comprehensive free set of very useful and up-to-date utilities, links and information files largely unknown and unused outside technical circles. These are virus-free and we use them regularly. Some will be mentioned during the session and are relevant to boosting your general productivity.

CONSULTING

We have customers who are self reliant but can still get stuck on just one or two things when "unusual" requirements appear ... especially when the pressure is on! We can provide short, tailor-made training specifically to get you over such hurdles. However, where such tasks are done infrequently, or there is regular staff turnover, it can be more cost effective to ask us to do the actual work for you, supplying either a finished product, and perhaps designs and templates for future re-use. Our consulting charges are shown with course fees (see the Index at Top of Page). Travel to your location, if required, is charged.

We are happy to discuss all IT problems or requirements .