Your computer, what you see and what you don't, will give you the basics about how your computer is designed to operate.

• Connecting components and peripherals.
• Differences between Desktops and Laptops.
• What happens when you turn on the power.
• Differences in WinXP, Vista, and Windows 7 Operating Systems!
• What is the desktop.
• What are shorcuts.
• Special commands the keyboard and mouse uses.
• The proper file structure.
• Controlling your programs and updates.
• Understanding devices and drivers.
• The control panel.
• What are folder views.

• What is a firewall.
• Antivirus programs and why you need them.
• Network and internet connections including wireless networks.
• Managing your internet browser.
• Popup blockers, Phishing filters, and parental controls.
• Temporary internet files, cookies, and history.
• Practicing safe internet.
• Downloading content.
• WebMail and Email Program practices.
• Understanding preview panes.
• Junk mail settings.

This class will provide a thorough understanding of the process involved in importing digital photos and videos into the computer, storing those files, and subsequently retrieving them for use in other applications. The course of instruction will suggest the differences in and pitfalls of various photo editing software, however; the software you choose to use will be up to you. This is a Windows platform course. MAC users are welcome to assimilate information that transfers to their operating system.

Importing - The first step in the process is to get your photo and video files from the camera to the computer. There are a plethora of programs which can be used to accomplish this and we will explore the pros and cons of these. Note that regardless of the program, importing is done by:

• USB connection to the device
• Direct copy from the Memory Card

Storing - The most important step in the process is to determine the location for the files. The key to this process is to know where your files are! Different photo programs have different structures for the storing of your files. Do you really know where that file is? Can you find it without the program?

• Storing on your computer
• Web based storage
• Backup copies

Retrieving - You have your files stored, what happens when you want one? Regardless of the photo program you use for editing your photos, you need to be able to find them for various other applications:

• Email
• Newsletters
• Greeting Cards
• Word Processors
• Etc.

Photo Editing Programs - The key to using these programs is to make them work for you. You need to tell the program where you want your files stored and how to store them, accepting the defaults of the program can cause nightmares find your files. We will have an interactive session addressing these various programs and how they work in your individual cases. This session will help to give everyone information on the various programs and choose to evaluate a program based on their own comfort level with them. The use of any program will be up to you, however; there are pros and cons to each that are good to compare.

Want to create your own video projects and don't know where to start?
Don't have the right equipment to do the job?
Want to give your video special effects your system doesn't have?

We understand there are a couple of things at work here. You have a computer that will edit your photos and videos. So why should you hire us to do it? You want to be able to beam with pride as your friends and family ask, "You did this?". We understand that pride! That's why we have decided to offer instructional services to help you out!

Our expertise is available to get you going. You may not have a clue where to start, or how to accomplish a specific effect or design. Ultimately, we would rather see your memories preserved to digital media before time degrades them any further. If you want to do it yourself, great! What do you need to do it?

The biggest block to customers getting the video off the tape is getting the VHS hooked up to the computer to do it. We do not advise the VCR - DVD units you can buy. They don't offer the edit or menu capability that you really need to make a nice product. Likewise, be very wary of capture devices on the market that do not have drivers compatible with Vista or Windows 7. These will not work unless properly "signed". We have the proper facility and equipment to capture your video. We can schedule to capture it for you or you can rent our system to do it yourself.

In the same way, we have several special effects programs available to create anything your system can't handle. We use the Adobe CS5 Suite of graphics, video, and audio programs for our productions. Think of us as parts suppliers. Your video needs parts to assemble. We can create the parts and ship them to you for final assembly. You can still beam with pride because you provided the direction and concept. That's what a producer is.

So, now you have no excuses for letting those video memories sit on the shelves.