How I Use Computers

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I spend a TREMENDOUS amount of time on the computer. It used to be part of my job; and it has always been my passion since I first started using computers in the early 80’s. There are MANY reasons I have been drawn to and extremely interested in using computers.

At first it was the logic involved. When I first started using computers, there was NO software. To use the computer, you had to write your own programs. I enjoyed the extreme logic of programming in BASIC language. Possibly my working with kids who were unpredictable and often NOT logical, made working with a machine where I had complete control of the outcome something I enjoyed very much. I got satisfaction from writing a software program and then seeing the computer do what I wanted it to do. It was very satisfying having COMPLETE control over the outcome.

Then when software for computers DID become available, I saw all the possibilities of the true power of computers! The first software program I used was AppleWorks on Apple II type computers. It opened a whole new world for me, allowing me to use the computer to do what I had been doing by hand for years in my job and in my personal life – word processing, data base, and spreadsheet. It not only made things simpler, but it increased my productivity and power to manipulate information exponentially!

My early use of computers was enhanced by my ability to touch type – a skill I acquired in 9th grade by taking Typing I. Taking that course was an unusual decision on my part since I was in College Prep at the time, but it truly enhanced my use of computers 20 years later.

My zealous enthusiasm for computers led my teaching other teachers how to use computers and productivity software – at first informally and then in formal classes that I designed and taught. This led to my becoming much more outgoing and comfortable with my colleagues. Before I was in my mid 30’s, I could have NEVER imagined myself teaching classes to teachers!

I integrated computers into my teaching in the early 80’s in the middle school. I would write computer programs to use with my students and then take them to the computer lab. After moving to the high school in the mid 80’s, I immediately brought computers into my classroom through my classroom budget and a state grant. This eventually led to recognition – being named “1989 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year” by IBM and Classroom Computer Learning.

I became involved with the Internet in the early 90’s when the Internet was in its infancy. To use the Internet at that time, you had to use Telnet or other cryptic programs which involve typing code and using dial-up modems. The Internet was exclusively text based and was NOTHING like it is now!

My interest and experience with computers led to my Masters degree in “Computer Technology in Education” from Johns Hopkins in 1992. My degree eventually led to computers becoming an official part of my job at Dallastown. During the last six years of my teaching career, I taught special education in the morning and was the BTC (building technical coordinator) at the high school in the afternoon, a job that I LOVED!

When I first became enthralled with computers in the early 80’s, I wondered to myself if my intense interest in computers would eventually wane or end. It never has; it has only become stronger.

My involvement with computers and technology has had a huge influence on the direction that my life has taken over the years. It is absolutely true that you can only “connect the dots” looking back on your life.

Thus I spend MUCH time (possibly too much) using computers. This has caused me to look closely at how I really use computers and what I actually do on the computer, which has led to this analysis.

How I use the computer:

Express myself – Write! (Word)
.....Sort out & organize my thoughts & feelings
.....Blog
.....Email
.....Letters (snail mail)
.....Résumé
.....Personal memories
.....Archive information
Email! (text & attachments)
.....Communicate with friends
.....Stay in touch with friends & relatives
.....Communicate with Dallastown Golf Team & other YAIAA coaches
.....Communicate with businesses
Research (Internet Explorer & Safari)
.....Facts – determine accuracy of information
.....News
.....Weather
.....Search for information on specific topics
.....Gasoline pricing
.....Information about people
..........Entertainers (personal information)
..........Friends & acquaintances
.....Information for my Blog
.....Movies (information about, location & times)
.....Items that I will purchase (selection, quality, pricing)
.....Phone numbers & hours of operation for businesses
.....Mapping
..........Check distances
..........Pre GPS information
.....Pricing for shopping
.....Travel (cruises, etc.)
.....Personal items
.....Books, etc.
.....Learn how to do things
.....Home maintenance
.....Repairs (appliances, computers, etc.)
.....Computer application questions (word processing, spreadsheets, Photoshop....)
.....Fix computer issues
.....Miscellaneous information
Create & maintain spreadsheets
.....Banking/Checking/personal information
.....YAIAA Division I Golf League Stats
.....Golf team budget
.....Staff golf outing budget
.....Brooke Wade’s business
.....Personal information
.....Quotation data base
.....Create forms
Music & Sound
.....MP3’s (iTunes & LimeWire)
.....Create MP3 recordings (Audacity)
Shopping online
.....Research products
.....Compare pricing
.....Purchase online (with Internet checking account)
..........eBay / Amazon / etc.
Entertainment
.....Watch TV programs online
.....Watch movies online (Fran’s Netflix account)
.....Check TV schedule
.....Check movie schedule, places, & times
Banking online
.....Move money between accounts
.....“Bill Pay” bills
.....Reconcile bank accounts (online bank statements with my spreadsheet)
Facebook account
Create & maintain Blogs
.....Brooke Shoffner blog (http://brookeshoffner.blogspot.com/)
..........Self expression
..........Venting
.....Thoughts blog
Photography (Photoshop Elements)
.....Crop photos!
.....Cosmetic corrections
.....Adjust exposure & correct photographic defects
.....Special effects
..........Artistic filters & effects
..........Add text to photos
.....Develop – send to Sam’s for developing prints
.....Archive photos (on computer, on CD, on DVD)
Create Photo Story videos
.....For special occasions
.....For Fran
.....Send some to http://www.youtube.com/
Create greeting cards (Publisher)
.....Birthdays
.....Anniversaries
.....Special occasions
Create business cards
.....For Brooke Wade
.....Dallastown golf coach
.....Handy Man
Create calendars (Publisher)
.....Personal
.....Business
Websites – Create & Maintain
.....Dallastown Golf Team / YAIAA Division I stats
..........www.leaguelineup.com/dallastowngolfteam
.....Handy Man website?
Create posters (Publisher & Word)
.....Staff golf outing
.....Handy Man
.....Quotations / Selections
.....Calligraphy
Scan (digitalize information)
.....Photos
.....Documents
..........Image (.jpg / .pdf)
..........OCR (scan & convert to text)
.....Scan document & email as attachment
Help others with their computer issues – problem solve issues (in person or over the phone)
.....Hardware issues
.....Software issues
Learn Software
.....To improve my use
.....To recommend software to others
.....To teach others
Burn copies of CD’s and DVD’s
.....To copy
.....To archive information
Sell items
.....eBay
.....Craigslist

Programs I use the most:
Microsoft Word – word processing
Microsoft Excel – spreadsheets, forms
Microsoft Publisher – greeting cards, business cards, calendars
Microsoft PowerPoint – create / modify slideshows
Microsoft Photo Story – create .wmv files with digital photos
Adobe Photoshop Elements – work with digital photography
Apple iTunes – play MP3’s & convert (rip) CD music to MP3 format
LimeWire – download MP3’s
AVG - FREE Antivirus
Malwarebytes - anti-malware
Microsoft Internet Explorer – Internet browser (explore Internet)
Mozilla Firefox - Internet browser (explore Internet)
Apple Safari – Internet browser (explore Internet)
Microsoft Windows Explorer – navigate / manipulate files on computer
PDF Creator – convert digital information to .pdf files
Audacity – digitalize audio (create, merge, modify)

Free Programs
OpenOffice
PrintFolder
PDFCreator
AVG - FREE Antivirus http://free.avg.com/us-en/download
Avira AntiVir Personal - FREE Antivirus http://www.free-av.com/
Malwarebytes - FREE anti-malware http://antimalware-download.com/
Lavasoft Ad-Aware
Belarc Advisor
Audacity
Photo Story
iTunes
LimeWire
Firefox
Picasa Photo Editing
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