Judi Stifel, Web Developer, Graphic Artist, Desktop Publisher, Trainer, Writer
PC Training/Troubleshooting, Web Development, Graphics, Publishing, Writing
Study & Learning Skills • Math/Algebra Made Easy • Overcoming Test Anxiety  
Life Skills Coaching • Academic Remediation 
Courses and Workshops.

Licenses: 8200-00930010, 109680/03-1015741, 7299-00930480,109680/03-1015740

As School, Tutor, and Publisher
St. Lucie County & City of Port St. Lucie, Florida

Ph: (772) 340–5808

Instructor: Judi Stifel

PC Training:

Some computer and software vendors have created a myth that using a computer in modern times is just a matter of pointing and clicking. Nothing could be further from the truth. Personal Computers (PC's) and the software used to operate them are highly sophisticated tools. New users can no more properly operate Personal Computers than they can jump into a tractor trailer for the first time and drive it across the country.

Vanity Penworks specializes in one–on–one training which goes right to the heart of what the client needs to know to get up and running quickly, efficiently, and independently. All training is fast–paced and concise. We only cover material which is essential.

Before we plan a course of study for our clients, we interview them to determine their needs—then we map a logical course of study using a “developmental approach,” which means filling gaps. If you have some knowledge, we do not waste your time covering material you already understand. If you are a beginner, you will find that the low-stress, low-tech approach is exciting and immediately rewarding. We will create concise handouts for your course of study, but our teaching style is “client–directed.” That means that we satisfy your needs to know and move through the material at your pace and based on your immediate needs. If you are starting a business, and we have begun at a fundamental level, but you need to create a database of clients and then do a mail merge to get your first client announcements into the mail, we fast–forward to meet those needs first—then we return to the fundaments.

There are no contracts to sign, no scheduled classes, and no obligations to return after any session. All sessions are scheduled by clients at times between 1 PM and 9 PM, Mondays through Fridays, which are convenient for them. At Vanity Penworks we know that teaching is an ART and that the learning experience should be like a good game of Catch: When you have a good Pitcher and a good Catcher, you have a good game of Catch!

If you are planning to purchase a computer, begin your learning process first so you will know what pitfalls to avoid and you will be able to make an Educated decision. Our 2–Hours Quick Guts session can give you a rich supply of tools to help you make a safe purchase. If you already have your computer and are writing the occasional letter and playing Solitaire, you are throwing away 99.9% of what your expensive tool can really do for you. If you are planning to invest in such a valuable and expensive tool, your investment will really be wasted if you don't learn how to use it.

We invite you to call for an appointment. You will be amazed at what you will learn. You will probably be amazed that you are in charge of the computer and the learning process. You will be amazed at how rewarding a good game of Catch can be!

Introduction to Computers for Professionals & MCSE Students

Instructor: Judi Stifel

Course Outline:

Part 1:

• Class rules, objectives, introduction to materials, handouts
• What is a computer? Definitions and labels of parts.
• Demonstration of real computer parts
• Hardware, Peripherals, Software
• Keyboard, Monitor, CPU (Processor)—BIOS
• Motherboard, Hard Drive, Floppy Drive, Cards, RAM, ribbon cables
• BIOS Chip, CMOS, batteries.
• Upgrading—"Proprietary" vs Custom systems
• Processor, dispatching information
• Hard drive: formatting, capacity (bytes, mega [millions], giga [1000 x million])
• Floppy: formatting, capacity (1.44 Mb)
• Floppy Disks and CD ROMs transfer programs to hard drive
• UPS, Surge Protection, Telephone Lines

• Binary Language, magnetics, laser (8 bits = 1 byte)
• Programming (Robot)
• DOS (your slave)
• Monitor on first, off first — Electromagnetic Radiation (18" away from Monitor),
  Monitor Resolution, Color Palette,
• RAM memory — your work bench, chips, sockets, motherboard requirements
• Memory zones in RAM, DOS, Windows, Clipboard
• Virtual Memory, Swap Files
• Temp Directory, tmp files
• Scandisk, Defrag
• Transfer of instructions between hard drive and floppy drive
• How modems work
• Talking to DOS (if you know how)
• Other operating systems (OS) or "platforms"— DOS, Win. 3.1, Win. 95, 98,98 ed.2, UNIX, Linux, Macintosh
• Windows as your Interpreter — Point and Click if you don't know how to talk to DOS
• System or Boot Disk

• Turning the computer on, using the Mouse, protecting the computer, no magnets
• A Mouse is just a "Pointing Device."
• Pointer has many shapes. (Arrow, Double Arrow, I-beam, Pointing Finger, Hour Glass)
• Backing up, storing disks, UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply), Tape Backup systems
• Utility Programs (Housekeeping chores—manipulate files [copy, move, rename, etc.)

• Universal Rules of Windows (everything is in a Window)
• Parts of Windows, title bar, moving, menus, resizing, scroll bars, minimize, maximize, restore, always in front
• Multitasking programs, active windows, inactive windows
• Launching a Program, looking at Menus, Tool Icons
• Never "Close" a program; only Close a Window that does not contain a program; Exit a Program

• Start Button, Shut Down, Help,
  Find—Dragging Shortcuts
• Icons on the Desktop, moving them around, renaming them
• Settings: Taskbar in-depth (Start up )
• Printers, Drivers (defaults)
• Documents, Programs
• My Computer
• Control Panel (lifting the hood)
  Accessibility, Add New Hardware, Add/Remove Programs, System Disk, Date/Time, Fonts, Keyboard, Modem,    Mouse, Multimedia, Network, Passwords, Regional Settings, Sounds.
• System: Operating system, type of computer, RAM, Devices (where the techies work)
  Customizing your Windows Environment
• Display and custom settings, monitor grid reviewed, color palette (Right-Click Desktop for shortcut)
• Plug and Play environment
• Video Drivers and Cards

• Intro to File Manager (Plumber)
• Housekeeping chores inside File Manager and Windows Explorer
• Starting and Setting up File Manager
• Investigating Menus and Tools in File Manager
• Root Directory, Drive names (C:, A:, D:) file management
• Logging onto Drives (click and double-click)
• Viewing options (sorting files)
• Files, File names, file formats
• File name convention & wild cards (*.*)
• File extensions and what they mean (Mother seals recognize their babies)
• Looking at file names, txt, exe, hlp, drv, dll, Readme files, driver files
• Path Statements
• Naming Files (8 character maximum), long file names done with smoke and mirrors
• Searching for files: Using •.exe in File Manager and Find
• Using Find to drag Icons to Desktop

• Launching a Program, "exe" files, look at properties (DOS command) behind Icons
• Give manual launch command to DOS at Run Line
• Loading a Program into RAM, Swap file
• Look at win386.swp
• Launch Word and see tmp file develop and then disappear
• Creating your own Directories and Sub Directories (Folders)

• Copy, move, delete, rename files.
• Drag and Drop (using Ctrl and Shift)
• Multiple Windows and Tiling and Multiple Drives
• Formatting Disks, copying disks
• Working with document, files, and programs within File Manager.
• Associating files with programs, blank or filled Icons
• More than one way to do almost anything in a computer

• General Word Processing Conventions using Word Pad
• Word wrapping, Save, Save As, New, Open, File (Exit), Window, Help
• Intro to MS Word
• New document, templates (Wizards), page setup, tabs, fonts, sizes, formatting fonts, bullets
• Saving your files where you want them & Opening them again
• Filters for other word processors, ASCII format
• Multitasking within programs

• Overview of Paintbrush
• What are Graphics?
• Bitmap and Vector graphics
• Multitasking Multiple Programs

• Intro to Excel
• What is a spreadsheet, when do we use it?
• Tools in Excel.
• Set up a simple monthly budget spreadsheet
• Using formulas, Printing, Use the Wizards to help you

• Intro to PowerPoint
• What is a presentation?
• Combining, Text, Graphics, and Sound to tell your story.
• Use the Wizards

• Intro to Access
• What is a Database?
• Using a Wizard to set up an Address Book

• Installing Programs, Setup.exe, Readme files, System Requirements
• Buying programs, System Requirements, hard drive space, tech support
• Using Scandisk and Defrag
• Cleaning out the Temp directories
• Searching for .tmp files and .chk files
• Paperwork you should complete
• Readme files, upgrade drivers
• Troubleshooting Registry, Win.ini, msconfig, sysedit, edit, msd.exe, dosshell, ttf, cache, and more...

• Intro to Networks
• Sharing resources
• Mainframes, Servers, and Nodes
• Security, who uses Networks and why
• Intro to the Internet
• The World Wide Web then and now
• HTML ( Hyper Text Markup Language)
• HTTP:// (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)
• URL's (Uniform Resource Locator) Web Site Address, browsers, caching system
• ISP, Server Hosts, and Mail Servers
• UNIX servers, NT servers and Web Site Hosting
• Static and Dynamic Web sites... Forms or Databases

• Dialing, handshake
• Launching browser and navigating the Internet
• Back, Forward, and Bookmarking sites
• What is a Search Engine? Using Search Engines www.yahoo.com

• Virus Protection, updates from web sites
• Intro to E-mail, Hotmail accounts
• Copy/Paste, Attachments, Archive (Winzip), Forward, Distribution Lists

• View tagging language in browser on Internet
• Creating a simple Web Page from Word (saving as HTML)
• View HTML pages in browser off-line
• Graphic formats for the Internet and Programs
• Professional programs used to create web sites
• Using web sites for driver updates and purchasing downloadable programs ( www.adobe.com, www. zdnet.com,  www.microsoft.com, www.ulead.com)

• Being a professional
• Perceived value
  Troubleshooting hardware, peripherals, and software
• The Windows Registry
• Uninstalling programs
• Hardware, peripherals, and software are tools
• Don't try to do it all; you have to specialize
• The Internet has changed international economics.
• Keep pace with fast-paced industry or become a dinosaur
• Never be the first one to try a new product (hardware or software).
• Compile a good library
• Learn to use the best resources on the Web for references as they will be more current than anything in print.
• Backup, backup, backup.... tapes, Zip disks, floppies. Never trust the media.
• When a hard drive "Crashes," you usually lose your data and programs
• If you are Restoring data from one hard drive to another make sure you have the same platforms
• Never pirate software.
• Make sure that you have your original CD with Windows as you will need it when you least expect it when you  try to install a peripheral or if  Windows is trying to recognize a peripheral which has been accidentally lost in the  Plug and Play operation.
• Some tricks: Ctrl+Alt+Del (to view Task List); Alt+Tab (to scroll through Running Programs); Shut Down to Restart and hold Shift key (to reboot only Windows)
• Always keep an open mind and use common sense logic when troubleshooting systems. The problem will probably be the simple rather than complex challenge—and your solution will Always come as the last thing you try.  :- )

Computer Training Topics For Novice DOS Course

Instructor: Judi Stifel

Topics to be Discussed:

• What is a computer, anyway--and why do you need it?
• A look inside: What makes it work and who is the boss? Never fear--You are in control!
• Understanding the inner works (low tech) 4–Hour Comprehensive Guts & 2–Hour Quick Guts.
• Labeling the parts of your computer so you can ask questions, understand answers, and protect yourself from Charlatans.
• How to buy your equipment.
• Parts of your PC System: B.I.O.S.—CPU, monitor, keyboard, drives, switches, controls, lights, etc.
• Inside: Motherboard, Power Supply, Expansion Slots, Cards, CPU, Hard Drive, Simm Slots
• RAM -- Your workspace—Vitally Important Knowledge
• Drives: Hard drive: Formatting & Magnetics and other protections.
• Floppy Drives:and CD-ROM Drives. Floppy Diskettes: 3 1/2" and/or 5 1/4" : Sizes, what and how to buy.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The keyboard: Num Lock (On), Scroll Lock, Pause, CTL+Break (stops), Backspace, Esc, Print Screen, CTL+P The vitally important "Enter" key (now do it!).
• Printers: Dot Matrix, Laser, Ink Jet--What kind of printer do you need? How is it configured? Buffer and Spooling. How to start and STOP the print job.
• Maintaining a good environment and proper use of equipment:humidity, A/C , Dust and hair!
• What to do with your new computer: (Monitor Electromagnetic Radiation.)
• Registration cards for equipment and software. (Tech support, updates, catalogs.)
• Lightning arrestor or Surge Protectors. UPS (backup) if you need to protect important data.
• Make a system (boot) disk.
• Backing up all files on hard drive.
• Storing ALL disks (programs, copies, or backups) to protect them.
• Avoiding what appear to be Economy Disks, RAM Chips, Etc..
• Turning on the computer and the monitor in proper order and using reset options.
• Piracy can hang you by your thumbs.
• What manner of Language is DOS? Why you must understand what it is and how it operates.
• Necessary DOS Commands if you are to be in charge and not depend on others.
• How to navigate your drives. How to check the size, condition, and remaining space on drives.
• How to check the amount of your memory.
• How to determine your version of DOS (and finding out if you have Win 95)
• Using your DOS Prompt.
• Navigating your Directories and Subdirectories to find your files and place your data files.
• File names, extensions; what they mean; how you use them: why they keep you in charge.
• ASCII the international language.
• Executable files and system files and their importance to you.
• Why you need to know about Readme files.
• Keyboard shortcuts and printing what is on your screen.
• Stopping things. Autoexec.bat, Config.sys, and Command.Com basics. (Win 3.1)
• Defragging/ Optimizing your drives.
• Checking the health of floppy disks.
• Formatting Floppy Disks.
• What to do if your get a drive fail message.
• Copying Disks and files from many locations.
• Creating your own filing system and directories.
• Deleting Directories and Files.
• Using Utility programs like the Dosshell. (If you have DOS 6.0 or have had older version.)
• Viewing and Searching for Directories and Files in your Utility programs.
• Track lost files by name or date and determine their location so you can move them.
• Reset your Date and Time and what this has to do with losing your battery.
• Importance of knowing Path Statements.
• Installing DOS programs and running small programs and games without installing them.
• Basics of Database at DOS level.
• Basics of Spreadsheets at DOS level.
• Basics of Graphs at DOS level.
• How to get technical support and other help when your are in trouble.

Some of the program functions and commands available in DOS prior to Windows 95/98 have been deleted from DOS in the Windows 95/98 environment. The Dosshell utility, which was available in versions of DOS prior to 6.0 was deleted after version 6.0. If you had an earlier version of DOS and upgraded to 6.0, you still have the 7 Dosshell files which make up this excellent utility program. The MSD diagnostic program was deleted from DOS when Windows 95 was written, but is available from Microsoft. It is NOT true that Windows 95 “replaces DOS.” The DOS directory still exits as a subdirectory of the Windows directory. Many, but not all, of the original DOS files are still installed on the hard drive.

Computer Training Topics Windows 95/98

Instructor: Judi Stifel

Topics to be Discussed:

• The relationship between DOS and WINDOWS.
• Installing and launching Windows
• DRIVERS, FONTS, FILTERS, and other important files.
• What to do about “Corrupted” files.
• Bailing out of “Fatal Error” and “Illegal Operation” messages.
• Windows "Command Prompt."
• Exiting to the DOS Prompt and returning to Windows.
• Navigating the Windows environment.
• UNIVERSAL RULES of Windows.
• Executing programs and commands.
• What kind of mouse to buy; why to use it; how to use it; how to clean mouse and pad.
• What if your mouse dies?
• What different mouse cursor shapes mean.
• When to click, double-click, left-click, or right-click your mouse buttons.
• The Program Manager of Windows 3.1:
• Desktop, Control Boxes, Menu Bars, Title Bars (Active & Inactive), Help, Scroll Bars, Maximize/ Minimize Boxes, Group Icons, Program Icons, Short Cuts and Links.
• Resizing windows.
• Exiting Windows and other Programs.
• Customizing the Windows Environment.
• ICONS and Defaults.
• Taskbar—Beginning and multi–tasking.
• Start Button
• My Computer
• Recycle Bin
• Network Neighborhood
• Microsoft Network
• My Briefcase
• Desktop: Always behind your work.
• Color, Fonts, Com Ports, Setting MOUSE options.
• Wallpaper and Screen Savers.
• Monitor Resolutions, Colors, and Fonts..
• Sound and other Multimedia options.
• KEYBOARD adjust, repeat, and delay rates.
• PRINTERS—installing, removing, connecting, viewing drivers. Setting Default Printer.
• International Values.
• Date and Time.
• Memory management.
• WYSIWYG
• Creating, editing, and saving documents.
• Copying and Pasting.
• Multitasking between programs and within programs.
• Pasting graphics into text documents.
• Path Statements are essential for filling in Dialog Boxes in Windows.
• Clipboard • MS DOS Prompt • README Files
• Accessories: Word Pad, Note Pad, Calculator, Character Map.
• Paintbrush
• Using "On-Line Help" files and "Context–Sensitive Help." Printing Help Topics. "Walking through" Help.
• Finding and recording Phone #'s and Fax #'s for technical support.
• How to purchase programs.
• Program Installations-with and without instructions.
• Start-up folder.
• Using Windows Explorer.
• Using Windows 3.1 style File Manager
• Saving new documents as files: Naming, Storing, and Retrieving.
• CREATING new directories (folders).
• MOVING files into new directories.
• COPYING files into directories or onto floppies.
• RENAMING files and folders.
• DELETING files and folders.
• SEARCHING for files in File Manger or in Find Utility.
• ASSOCIATING files.
• LAUNCHING programs from FILE MANAGER, Explorer, and Run.
• Navigating drives and using a CD–ROM drive.
• VIEWING DISKS.
• COPY DISKS; MAKE SYSTEM DISKS.
• DELETE FILES and DIRECTORIES
• FORMAT DISKS, SYSTEM (BOOT) DISKS.
• Weeding fonts to conserve resources.
• System Diagnostics.
• Installing and Removing Programs.
• Installing Hardware.
• Scandisk and Defrag.
• Using Safe Mode.
• Undeleting Files
• Protection from Viruses.
• How to get help when you really need it.

Internet Training is a separate topic which continues after the student has a good grasp of DOS and Windows fundamentals: Moving out onto the Internet (World Wide Web) and associated topics. Defining E-Mail and how it is used and associated topics. Searching the Web for matters of interest (Surfing) and associated topics.

Other Courses and Workshops

Instructor: Judi Stifel

Computer Basic Skills Courses:

• Introduction to Word Processing
• Introduction to Desktop Publishing with PageMaker (including cross–platform between PC and Mac)
• Introduction to Graphics to Print and to Web with PhotoShop
• Introduction to Web Site Design with FrontPage (including Search Engine Optimization awareness)

Personal Enrichment and Remediation Workshops and Life Skills Coaching:

• Personality Analysis and Development
• Marriage/Couples Encounters
• Re-Bonding of Adolescent and Parent
• Stress Management for the Overloaded
• Study Skills for High Achievers
• How to Overcome Test Anxiety
• Algebra for the Not–So–Hopeless
• If You Can Speak, You Can Write an Essay
• Basic English Remediation
• Motivational Speaking and Lectures

    All materials and graphics on this site are copyrighted and may not be copied or
reproduced without written permission © Judith L. Stifel 1996–2006