Free computer classes back at public library

Start the New Year right by learning something new at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, which will be offering free computer classes on Saturdays once again.

Roy Rechebei, the library’s Information Technology Center coordinator, said these classes offer insight into the latest in software and hardware technologies.

“With a practical approach in learning computers, the ITC will also offer online resources in continuing and improving computer and Internet usage,” said Rechebei.

* Beginning Computing is scheduled from 10am to 11am and involves computer terminology; desktop, keyboard and mouse usage, Internet terminology; Internet browsing; Internet safety; file management and formats; and computer consumer awareness.

* Office Applications (Word Processing) is from 11am to noon and involves Word processing terminology, file formats, layouts, keyboard and mouse efficiency, task management and exchange of documents in an office environment, and software resources.

* Office Applications (Excel, Spreadsheet) is from 1pm to 2pm and involves spreadsheet terminology, file formats, planning and developing task specific documents, keyboard mouse efficiency, task management and exchange of documents in an office environment, and software resources.

* Office Applications (PowerPoint, Presentation) is from 2pm to 3pm and involves presentation terminology, file formats, planning and developing task specific documents, keyboard mouse efficiency, task management and exchange of documents in an office environment, and software resources.

All classes are five sessions long and registered participants need to attend all classes to complete each course. Twelve slots are available per class and each one is on a first-come, first-served basis.

“If we don’t meet the minimum number of participants, then we will reschedule that group,” Rechebei said.

He said the computer classes they offered last year were a success, with some classes overbooked at certain times as they had to deal with reduced hours for the library.

Rechebei noted that interested individuals must be able to read and speak English, given the language barrier they encountered during last year’s classes.

He also noted that they are using Linux Ubuntu instead of Microsoft Windows.

“We use Linux Ubuntu, an open-source operating system, which basically means it’s free. What we teach on this operating system is applicable to any other operating system. The menus are very similar, just different locations. But everything is pretty much the same. If you learn on this, you can pretty much learn on anything,” Rechebei told Saipan Tribune.

Rechebei encouraged the public to take advantage of their Saturday computer classes. “It’s a good opportunity because it’s free.”

To register, visit JKPL in Susupe, log into www.cnmilibrary.com or call 235-7315 or 7322 for more information.