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Labor Day has passed, there’s a feeling of fall in the air… I don’t know about you, but I’m hoping for a good six weeks of Indian Summer, as well as lots of folks enjoying my classes!

Class list for Sept. 2014:

Sat., Sept. 13th, from 10-noon: Intermediate Facebook Marketing; Ridgway Town Hall
Wed., Sept. 24th, from 5-7 pm: FREE iPhone/iPad Overview; Ridgway Library
Sat., Sept. 27th, from 10-noon: iMovie for Mac; Ridgway Library

The details:

 First up, on Saturday, Sept. 13th, from 10 am to noon, on the heels of the response to last month’s Social Media class, I’m offering a new class: Intermediate Facebook Marketing. Whether you run your own business, are involved in a local non-profit, or simply want to know how to use Facebook to get the word out about something you’re passionate about, there is no denying the value (and complexity!) of using that tool for your marketing. This class will cover all aspects of creating and managing your Facebook “presence”. [Basic understanding of how FB works is suggested but not required.] Cost for this class is $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Town Hall in the Community Center. Open to drop-ins, so come if you can (but please try to let me know if you plan to attend)!

 Next, I will be doing my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Library. This month, it’s the FREE Mac iPad/iPhone Overview, on Wednesday, Sept. 24th from 5-7 pm. This class is held in the small meeting room at the Library, and space is limited, so you have to sign up. The Library staff has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

 Lastly, on Saturday, Sept. 27th, from 10 am to noon, since it didn’t go last weekend, I’m again offering iMovie on the Mac! With the ubiquity of HD video these days, whether it’s from your iPhone, iPad, or your little point-and-shoot, you’ve likely got lots of video clips that you’d like to turn into a polished project to wow your friends and family. If so, this class is for you! Cost for this class is $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Library meeting room. As always, it’s open to drop-ins, but please let me know if you plan to attend.

Take care everyone. See you in a class sometime soon!

Not sure how many folks follow this blog closely, but I want to get the word out that I have to cancel the iMovie class originally scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, Aug. 30th). I only had one person signed up, and it’s obvioulsy just too much to try and sandwich into Labor Day weekend. Good news is that I hope to offer it again in September. Stay tuned!

Thanks for understanding,
John

Happy Colorado Day everyone, August is here already! How’s your summer been? I’m finally getting a vacation in the first part of August, so everything will have to be packed into the last two weeks of the month. On to the latest Mac class news…

Class list for August 2014:

Sat., August 23rd, from 10 am-noon: Social Networking Ridgway Town Hall
Wed., August 27th, from 5-7 pm: FREE Mac OS X Overview; Ridgway Library
Sat., August 30th, from 10 am-noon: iMovie on the Mac; Ridgway Library meeting room

Please remember to let me know if you plan to attend any of these classes; if I get enough commitments ahead of time, I don’t have to send out a nagging reminder!

The details:    

 First off, on Saturday, August 23rd, from 10 am-noon at the Ridgway Town Hall (in the Community Center), I will be revisiting a topic I haven’t covered in awhile: Social Networking. If you’ve been meaning to finally build yourself that Facebook page, or try Twitter or even Instagram, then this class is for you! I will cover those, plus Google+, LinkedIn, and just about anything else you can think of in the social networking realm. The emphasis will be on figuring out how to navigate these popular social sites, especially as the way they work is constantly being updated and changed! At the same time, you’ll learn how to maintain the levels of privacy we all prefer. Of course, I will also cover the ways in which these tools can be put to use in marketing a business. Cost for this class is $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Town Hall.

 Then, I will be doing my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Library. This month, it’s the FREE Mac OS X Overview, on Wednesday, August 27th from 5-7 pm. This class is held in the computer lab. Space is limited, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

For the Mac Overview, there are six Macs in the computer lab, so only two of the eight attendees need their own laptops. This class is beginner-oriented, but we cover some different things every month; repeat attendees are encouraged (when there’s room)!

 Lastly, on Saturday, August 30th, from 10 am to noon, I’m offering another popular class: iMovie on the Mac! With the ubiquity of HD video these days, whether it’s from your iPhone, iPad, or your little point-and-shoot, you’ve likely got lots of video clips that you’d like to turn into a polished project to wow your friends and family. If so, this class is for you! Cost for this class is $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Library meeting room.

NOTE: Due to the fact that the small meeting room at Ridgway Town Hall is no longer available for classes like mine, I’ve had to juggle this month’s schedule. See below for the changes…

Well, 2014 is already half over, and we’re into my favorite time of year: High Summer! I don’t know about you, but I’m trying to savor every fleeting moment… On to the Mac class news for the month (spoiler alert: July is iPhoto month)! 

Class list for July 2014:

Sat., July 19th, from 10-noon: iPhoto on iPad/iPhone; Ridgway Library
Sat., July 26th, from 10-noon: iPhoto for Mac; Ridgway Town Hall
Wed., July 30th, from 5-7 pm: FREE iPhone/iPad Overview; Ridgway Library

The details:

 First up, on Saturday, July 19th, from 10 am to noon, I’m offering what I plan to be a regular class: iPhoto on iPad/iPhone. Come learn everything there is to know about Apple’s powerful digital image organization/editing program in its iOS incarnation! Whether you’ve had your iPad for a couple years now, or it’s brand new to you, it’s time to learn how easy it is to do all kinds of photo editing on that wonderful device! Cost for this class is $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Library. Open to drop-ins, so come if you can (but please try to let me know if you plan to attend)!

 Then, on Saturday, July 26th, from 10 am to noon, It’s another session of my popular iPhoto for Mac class! Come learn everything there is to know about Apple’s powerful digital image organization/editing program. If you’re in that Spring Cleaning mode, maybe it’s finally time to get your photo library under control, with the added bonus of learning how easy (and fun) the process can be! This class will primarily cover the latest version, iPhoto ’11. This class is also $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Town Hall. It’s open to drop-ins too.

 Lastly, I will be doing my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Library. This month, it’s the FREE Mac iPad/iPhone Overview, on Wednesday, July 30th from 5-7 pm. This class is held in the computer lab. Space is limited, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

For the Mac Overview, there are six Macs in the computer lab, so only two of the eight attendees need their own laptops. This class is beginner-oriented, but we cover some different things every month; repeat attendees are encouraged (when there’s room)!

Take care everyone, and hope to see you all at the Ridgway Concert Series every Thursday in July!

Hello again everyone, as yet another month has flown right by… Time sure does fly, doesn’t it? On to the latest Mac class news…

Class list for June 2014:

Sat., June 7th, from 10 am-noon: iPhotography; (thru Weehawken Creative Arts) Ridgway Library conference room
Wed., June 25th, from 5-7 pm: FREE Mac OS X Overview; Ridgway Library
Sat., June 28th, from 10 am-noon: Backups; Ridgway Town Hall

The details:

 First off, next Saturday, June 7th, from 1-4 pm at the Ridgway Library, I’m teaching another iPhotography (iPhone photography) class through Weehawken Creative Arts. As so many photographers are learning these days, the best camera is the one you have with you. And with the advent of quality cameras in smartphones like the iPhone, it’s easier than ever to always have a great camera with you. But wait, you say, why are my photos often blurry, or just not that good? I say it’s because you need to learn how to use the device better, and an iPhone isn’t like a regular point-and-shoot camera! Attend this class, and learn how to start getting really good photos out of your iPhone. As a bonus, we’ll spend time learning about the thousands of camera “apps” available for your device, from the Instagram craze to the more techy HDR realm, and everything in-between. Feel free to call me if you have questions about this class (number below). Please sign up with Weehawken if you’d like to attend, or the class might not happen!

 Then, I will be doing my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Library. This month, it’s the FREE Mac OS X Overview, on Wednesday, June 25th from 5-7 pm. This class is held in the computer lab. Space is limited, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

For the Mac Overview, there are six Macs in the computer lab, so only two of the eight attendees need their own laptops. This class is beginner-oriented, but we cover some different things every month; repeat attendees are encouraged (when there’s room)!      

 Lastly, on Saturday, June 28th, from 10 am to noon, I’ll be revisiting the important topic of Backups, and it will cover the gamut, from online tools like Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, Carbonite and the like, to the best options for local physical backups. As more and more of our lives are becoming digitized, the importance of having good (and redundant!) backups is becoming more critical by the day. Come learn all there is to know about how to make sure your precious photos and documents are safe for many years to come! Please let me know if you plan to attend this class, so I know whether it’s a go or not.

Take care everyone, and hold onto your horses, because summer is upon us!!

Well, April is going out like a lion, let’s see how May goes, eh? Nice to know we’ve got plenty of snowpack for a change too. On to the Mac class news for the month!

Class list for May 2014:

Sat., May 10th, from 10-noon: iPhoto for Mac; Ridgway Town Hall
Sat., May 24th, from 10-noon: iPad (& iPhone) File Management; Ridgway Town Hall
Wed., May 28th, from 5-7 pm: FREE iPhone/iPad Overview; Ridgway Library

REMINDER: for the Saturday classes, I have to ask that you let me know if you’re planning to attend those classes, and if at least 4 people haven’t expressed interest by the Friday before, I’ll have to cancel that class. Unfortunately, I had a couple months last year where only one person (or none) showed up, and I’m afraid that just can’t work for me anymore. I hope you understand!

The details:

 First up, on Saturday, May 10th, from 10 am to noon, It’s another session of my popular class: iPhoto for Mac! Come learn everything there is to know about Apple’s powerful digital image organization/editing program. If you’re in that Spring Cleaning mode, maybe it’s finally time to get your photo library under control, with the added bonus of learning how easy (and fun) the process can be! This class will primarily cover the latest version, iPhoto ’11. Cost for this class is $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Town Hall. Open to drop-ins (but see note about Saturday classes above), so come if you can!      

 Then, on Saturday, May 24th, again from 10 am to noon, I’m offering a new class, that I’m calling iPad (& iPhone) File Management. As the iPad becomes more and more powerful, many folks are doing most of their computing on it. And while it’s definitely possible to make it your only device, it’s not as easy as it might be to figure out. This class will cover all the tools you would want to have on your “iDevice” if you’re looking to simplify, as well as tips for how to manage things like document storage and backup. Even if you’re not looking to get rid of your main computer, this class will give you lots of insight into how to manage your pictures, music and documents between your computer and your iPad or iPhone. This class is also $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Town Hall. It’s open to drop-ins too.

 Lastly, I will be doing my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Library. This month, it’s the FREE Mac iPad/iPhone Overview, on Wednesday, May 28th from 5-7 pm. This class is held in the computer lab. Space is limited, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

For the Mac Overview, there are six Macs in the computer lab, so only two of the eight attendees need their own laptops. This class is beginner-oriented, but we cover some different things every month; repeat attendees are encouraged (when there’s room)!

Take care everyone, warm sunny days will be here before we know it!

UPDATE: I’m sorry, but I have to cancel the April 28th Mac OS X Overview class at the Library. Stay tuned for the May class update soon!

Happy Spring everyone! Too bad it seems to include one of these red-dust storms every year now. Anyway, let’s focus on Mac class news, shall we??

Class list for April 2014:

Sat., April 12th, from 10 am-noon: Facebook Marketing; Ridgway Town Hall
Sat., April 19th, from 10 am-noon: iPhoto on iPad!; Ridgway Town Hall
Wed., April 30th, from 5-7 pm: FREE Mac OS X Overview; Ridgway Library

REMINDER: for the Saturday classes, I have to ask that you let me know if you’re planning to attend those classes, and if at least 4 people haven’t expressed interest by the Friday before, I’ll have to cancel that class. Unfortunately, I had a couple months last year where only one person (or none) showed up, and I’m afraid that just can’t work for me anymore. I hope you understand!

The details:

 First off, on Saturday, April 12th, from 10 am to noon, following the success of the Social Media & Marketing class held last week at the Ridgway Community Center, I’ll be offering a Facebook Marketing class, focusing on how to use Facebook to promote and publicize your business. As FB has gotten more and more popular as a marketing tool, many of you have wondered if it’s time to jump on the bandwagon, or already have a page but struggle to understand the ins and outs of managing it. From scheduling posts in advance, to actually paying to promote a post, this class will help you learn the ropes enough to really make it work for you! Cost for this class is $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Town Hall. Open to drop-ins (but see note about Saturday classes above), so come if you can!

 Then, the very next Saturday, April 19th, from 10 am to noon, as I mentioned last month, I’m introducing a variation of my most popular class: iPhoto on iPad! Come learn everything there is to know about Apple’s powerful digital image organization/editing program in its iOS incarnation! Whether you’ve had your iPad for a couple years now, or it’s brand new to you, it’s time to learn how easy it is to do all kinds of photo editing on that wonderful device! Cost for this class is $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Town Hall. Same note as above about drop-ins.

 Lastly, I will be doing my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Library. This month, it’s the FREE Mac OS X Overview, on Wednesday, April 30th from 5-7 pm. This class is held in the computer lab. Space is limited, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

For the Mac Overview, there are six Macs in the computer lab, so only two of the eight attendees need their own laptops. This class is beginner-oriented, but we cover some different things every month; repeat attendees are encouraged (when there’s room)!

Take care everyone, and may this month’s showers bring you flowers for May and beyond!

I’m getting a head start on the March class news, primarily because I have a class coming up on the first!

Class list for March 2014:

Sat., March 1st, from 1-4 pm: iPhotography; Weehawken Ridgway
Sat., March 8th, from 10 am-noon: iPhoto; Ridgway Town Hall
Wed., March 26th, from 5-7 pm: FREE iPhone/iPad Overview; Ridgway Library

REMINDER: for the Saturday classes, I have to ask that you let me know if you’re planning to attend those classes, and if at least 4 people haven’t expressed interest by the Friday before, I’ll have to cancel that class. Unfortunately, I had a couple months last year where only one person (or none) showed up, and I’m afraid that just can’t work for me anymore. I hope you understand!

The details:

 First off, this Saturday, March 1st, at the Weehawken Studio in the Old Schoolhouse in Ridgway (1075 Sherman, on the west end of town), I’m teaching another iPhotography (iPhone photography) class. As so many photographers are learning these days, the best camera is the one you have with you. And with the advent of quality cameras in smartphones like the iPhone, it’s easier than ever to always have a great camera with you. But wait, you say, why are my photos always blurry, or just not that good? I say it’s because you need to learn how to use the device better, and an iPhone isn’t like a regular point-and-shoot camera! So come to this class, and learn how to start getting really good photos out of your iPhone. As a bonus, we’ll spend some time learning about the thousands of camera “apps” available for your device, from the Instagram craze to the more techy HDR realm, and everything in between. Feel free to call me if you have questions about either of those classes (number below). Please sign up with Weehawken very soon if you’d like to attend, or the class might not happen!

 Then, the very next Saturday, March 8th, from 10 am to noon, It’s another session of my popular class: iPhoto on the Mac! Come learn everything there is to know about Apple’s powerful digital image organization/editing program. It’s a new year, so maybe it’s finally time to get your photo library under control, with the added bonus of learning how easy (and fun) the process can be! This class will primarily cover the latest version, iPhoto ’11. Cost for this class is $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Town Hall. Open to drop-ins (but see note about Saturday classes above), so come if you can!

NOTE! I’m thinking of adding a new class next month: iPhoto on the iPad. Please let me know if you would be interested in such a class, so I can get a sense of whether it would be successful or not.

 Lastly, I will be doing my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Library. This month, it’s the FREE Mac iPad/iPhone Overview, on Wednesday, March 26th from 5-7 pm. This class is held in the computer lab. Space is limited, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

For the Mac Overview, there are six Macs in the computer lab, so only two of the eight attendees need their own laptops. This class is beginner-oriented, but we cover some different things every month; repeat attendees are encouraged (when there’s room)!

Take care everyone, spring is on the way!