Can you Twitter?

By Nadine Armstrong If you think a cookie is just something to dunk in a cold glass of milk, then you might want to read on.

Although computer literacy is fundamental in today’s society many still lack the skills to put that technology to use, say members of the Hants Learning Network Association.

So they are bringing the basics back. The HLNA plans to help the public navigate its way through the computer jungle with a series of spring workshops for beginners. “The goal here is to give participants a really solid grounding in computer competency, and create a comfort level, said Trudi Lake, HLNA board member.

Workshops will include, Basic Word 2000, Web based E-mail, and Basic Internet. Participants can expect to learn how to communicate via e-mail, utilize web browsers and navigate the web, as well as basic computer word processing skills. There will be a small fee based on cost recovery with classes limited to five participants. “We want to make sure we offer this service for adults in a comfortable, learning atmosphere,” said Lake.

Similar courses were once offered free of charge through Computer Literacy on the Move (CLOM), until their funding through Service Canada was cut last year. Since then the few remaining CAP sites in West Hants have survived and thrived through the dedication of volunteers, but computer tutorials in the region were axed. “When we lost our funding, we lost the ability to offer workshops and in-home tutorials”, said Sandra Milbury, coordinator of the community health board. “It was really devastating for this community.” Everything in today's society is computer driven, from on-line banking to creating a hot-mail account and there are people who are missing out, she said. “It's about staying connected and informed. Computer literacy does so much to eliminate isolation in our community.”

It may seem hard to believe in this day and age, there are those who don't know how to browse the web, send an email or use a word processor. And computer technology is difficult to keep up with even for avid users. “People take for granted that everyone has that technology, and then there are those that don't want to own up to not knowing,” said Lake. “That’s who we want to reach.”

A process, such as downloading pictures from a digital camera, for instance, can throw many people for a loop. “We've met so many users at the CAP sites that want to send pictures to loved ones, and are frustrated because they simply haven't been shown how,” she said.

Even the language of computers can be intimating for some. Eventually the HLNA hopes to offer tutorials on everything from Twitter to Facebook and all points in between.

The Hants Learning Network Association is a non-profit organization committed to life-long learning and offers GED classes, as well as Levels 1 and 2 for adult learners. The CAP site at the Hants Community Hospital sees up to 140 users per month and is open Monday, Tuesday, Thurs and Fridays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Wednesdays, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m..

Computer workshops will begin in May. There is a $40 registration fee per workshop. To pre-register of for more information phone 798-0729 or e-mail at computerlit@ns.sympatico.ca