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The HAL-PC
Senior
Learning
Center, in
the Clearlake Area, opened for business January 7th, 1997.
We taught one course, Beginners.
Today, we are in the same facility where we
began. We have twenty computers, running WIN XP, all on a
LAN connected by a WAN to the HAL-PC computers on Post Oak Place
Dr. We have forty-three volunteers, including two of the
original six. One other has retired and three have passed
on to a better place. Our regular volunteers are
subdivided into three main groups, office workers, instructors,
and technicians. We also have several occasional
volunteers who teach mini-courses and present topics in their
areas of expertise at SIGs.
We offer twelve courses ranging from
beginners through advanced subjects, and all are either computer
or digital related. We have SIGs that
meet monthly and offer Saturday mini-courses from time-to-time.
Our volunteers regularly donate over 6,000 hours of their time
each year to HAL-PC.
Registration and further
information can be obtained by calling the center at
281-316-0768.

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Contact
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All of the people working at
HAL-PC in Clearlake are volunteers
̶ the office staff,
the technicians, even the instructors. They all
donate their time and energies to our organization.
Wouldn't you like to join us? Call our office and
ask for an application. We can use your help! |
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Front Office: |
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Office helpers need to know
how to use computers, copiers, and fax machines
properly. They also need to know how to answer people's
questions, call members to fill classes, and
handle membership dues and course fees. They must
keep informed of our activities in order to answer
questions and keep our coffee pot running.
Activities include:
- Answering phones
- Filing and organizing information
- Taking messages
- Running errands
- Typing
- Data entry and word processing
- Working to support other
office staff
- Operating
office equipment like copiers or
fax machines
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Instructors: |
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Our
computer instructors are responsible for training
individuals in the correct and effective use of various
computer programs or systems used for business or
personal use. This requires a combination of computer
skills plus excellent communication skills and people
skills to help those that have little or no computer
experience learn how to use the various programs.
No matter what your computer learning needs are, our
instructors will help you achieve a higher level of
skill and knowledge. Whether you want to learn how to
use spreadsheets, databases, web design, word
processing, E-mail, HTML, financial management or simply
the basics of how to use your computer.
Classes are generally offered on the basis of student
needs, which may require several different levels
from the basics to advanced.
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Computer Technicians: |
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Our technical
staff has the primary responsibility to support the teaching
mission of the SLC by maintaining teaching computers and other
equipment in good working order. On a time-available
basis, our technical staff has a secondary responsibility
to confer with HAL-PC members
and resolve computer problems or to provide technical assistance
and support.
Your help is needed by the technically challenged.
Problems range from self-inflicted to real hardware and
software problems. The ability to describe a
computer problem in non-technical terms and specify what might
be required to repair a computer is necessary. We
try to help our members over the phone or in our
facility. We cannot visit members in their homes.
They bring their computers to us and our services are
free.
If you have any technical computer skills or just want
to learn about repairing computers, we can use your
help. The profuse "thanks" and gratitude of our
members will make you feel good about volunteering.
Computer technical support activities include:
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Diagnosing, repairing
and providing advice for:
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-
Buying
a PC
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Booting
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Formatting drives
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Preventative measures
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Internal connections
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External connections
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Peripheral Devices
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Maintenance
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Operating Systems
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Application Software
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Replacement of:
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- Memory
- Motherboards
- Hard Drives
- CD Drives
- Floppy Drives
- Power Supplies
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- Cards
- Jacks
- Speakers
- Fans
- Monitors
- Peripherals
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Basic Computer Literacy |
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File and Folders |
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Basic Word Processing |
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Introduction to
Vista |
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Advanced Word Processing |
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Spreadsheets |
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Database Management |
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Improving Your Internet Experience |
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Improving Your E-mail Experience |
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Using Your Digital Camera |
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Fundamentals of Photo Editing |
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Using
Photos in Layouts and Letters |
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Basic Web Page Construction |
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Scanning -
Getting the most out of
your scanner |
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Making Movies
and Slideshows with Movie Maker |
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Special Interest Groups (SIGs) focus on the unique
interest of our members. Topics are developed at the SLC
when activities indicate members would benefit from a
presentation and a group discussion. |
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