Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Classes
GGCS sponsors numerous Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and occasional classes, which are live demonstrations of the GGCS motto “users helping users”. GGCS members and their families may attend SIGs and classes without charge. Non-members are invited to sample any SIG meeting one time without charge; a $5 fee is charged non-members thereafter.
What is a SIG? They are discussion groups formed by members whenever there is interest in any particular topic. Whereas a class is taught, SIGs are more free-form with each having its unique style depending on the leader and the composition of the group. Although SIG leaders may be our more knowledgeable members, that’s not a requirement, as their job is to facilitate discussion in which participants help one another by sharing experience and problems. SIGs enable members to explore special topics relating to computer use ranging from introductory to in-depth coverage. Participants may be highly skilled or recent beginners, and all learn together.
Except where indicated, SIGs meet at the GGCS classroom in San Anselmo. Check the newsletter calendar, or better yet, the online calendar or weekly announcements for schedule changes or various one-time classes or impromptu meetings. Current ongoing SIGs include:
WAYNE'S COMPUTER CLASS, 2nd Monday,
6:30 PM
This is a monthly class in computers, structured around beginners' needs,
but everyone is a beginner when starting to use new programs or hardware.
BEGINNING SENIORS SIG, 4th Thursday,
1:30 PM
When seniors get a computer from their children, we're here to help.
COMPU-CLASS SIG, 1st & 3rd
Wednesdays, 1:30 PM
If you want to become more computer literate and want to attend daytime
meetings, this SIG is offered for you. Everything about computer use is
covered.
DIGITAL CAMERA SIG, 2nd Wednesday,
1:30 PM
This group discusses features of various digital cameras, and also takes
field trips to practice using their cameras. Classroom work involves
transferring images to computers, editing, etc.
DIGITAL IMAGING SIG, 3rd Monday, 7:30
PM
For those who have or are about to purchase digital cameras (or
scanners). This SIG covers transferring images from camera to computer,
working with an image editing program, printing of photos either at home
of at a commercial service, saving and organizing photos to to CD’s,
flash cards or on the net. There is a range of interests and skills from
novice snapshot takers to some fairly high-end pro-sumer photographers Members
may bring in samples of their work and
discuss the techniques they use.
CDR-DVD SIG, 4th Wednesday, 1:30 PM
For those who want to create and edit CD’s and DVD’s of music or video.
HARDWARE SIG, 2nd Wednesday, 7:00 PM
This group helps computer users understand what goes on inside the box.
Participants learn to upgrade their equipment, change components, and
more.
INTERNET SIG, 4th Wednesday, 7:00 PM
Discusses all aspects of the Internet. There are always several Internet
experts present to answer any specific questions.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING CLASS, 4th
Monday, 6:00 PM, at Embassy Suites Hotel
Subjects for classes rotate each month starting with What’s Inside the
Box; Booting Up and Starting Windows; Hard Disk Organization and Windows
Utilities; When Windows Won’t Start – Protection and Recovery; What
Mother Should Have Told Me About Windows; and finally, Preparing to Surf
the Internet and Internet Security. There’s always lots of time for
questions. Check newsletter for the rotation schedule.
Click here for curriculum.
It meets in the same building as the monthly General Meeting, and ends
when the General Meeting starts.
MAC SIG, 1st Monday, 7:00 PM
All About Apple Macintoshes. Go to the Special
Website for this SIG.
QUICKEN SIG, 2nd Tuesday, 10:00 AM
Quicken is the most frequently used personal finance software, but also
can seem complex. This SIG is where Quicken users discuss questions and
problems, and help each other find answers. Other general personal finance
issues, such as online banking, are also often discussed.
SCHOOL SUPPORT SIG, Every Saturday,
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
This SIG helps schools from kindergarten through 12th
grade obtain and use computers in the classroom. The program receives
donations of older PC's from corporations or individuals, and places them in
schools. Schools must qualify to receive these PC's by preparing a PC
plan, so we can re-configure the donated PC's to serve their planned
purpose. We work with the schools to help them develop this plan, and
then work with the teachers as needed to show them what the PC
capabilities are. The SIG meetings consist of testing
and fixing PCs, wiping their drives and the like. GGCS members and non-members
alike may attend our meetings at no charge.
Click here for
more information about the history and accomplishments of the
program. People seeking to donate equipment must first contact John
Foote at 415-457-2357.
Copyright © 2009
Golden Gate Computer Society. All rights reserved.