3 Short Steps to Video IT Courses - Software Training Made Easy

A number of new bloggers have asked me recently about where to start when learning how to use new software and becoming computer literate. Sometimes the first step can be the most difficult but when I was doing software courses with novices, I was surprised at how quickly they picked things up. Essentially, it's just a computer, and once demystified, it actually becomes fun to learn!

Some of you probably know the basics about computers and using various programs in your daily life. However, software upgrades such as Windows 7 can put you back to square one.

Teach Me Today is a simple, easy to use online learning system for IT Training using video demonstrations, allowing you to start learning immediately.  At present, it is available for US and Canadian students only (I'm hoping that they will include Australian students in the future). Subjects include software training for Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access, to a subject such as C++ Programming.  

A couple of my readers asked me about the best way to get into C++ and the world of programming.  I find that online video tutorial courses are easy to follow and you can pause, take notes and test as you go.   

It's 3 easy steps to sign up to get exclusive access to quality software training video content:

Step 1.  sign up

Step 2.  pick your course

Step 3.  start learning

List of courses include:  Windows 7 / Excel / Build and Design Games in C++ / Using the Internet / QuickBooks / HTML and web design / Dreamweaver / Photoshop / Publisher / Powerpoint

technorati tags: it training, software training, online courses, learn to use computers, programming training, C , Windows training, software course

Crazy Sales Coupon: Discount Promo Code

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Coupon: XMASPRO


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Stylish Christmas Gift Guide 2011

Christmas shopping for 2011 is upon us.  It's make or break time.  But we don't always have to endure the pain of shopping centres and crowds.

Here are my top picks for Christmas 2011:

1. Detox Foot Patches


2. Jimmy Choo Perfume


3. Sheridan Beach Towel


4. Ladybug Handbag Hook


5. Srixon Q Star Golf Ball


6. Bionic Gardening Gloves


7. Star Wars Poster


8. Heller Personal Fan


9. Himalayan Crystal Bath Salts


10. Beach Bag

technorati tags: christmas gift, christmas 2011, christmas gift ideas 2011, christmas gift ideas, last minute christmas, stylish gifts, gifts 2011

Tiger Woods is Back!!

Woods' win at the Chevron World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club has been a long time coming. Tiger's fans have been waiting patiently, and Tiger himself has been waiting and striving rather impatiently.  It cannot be easy to fall from the world No#1 spot to off the charts in a short space of time.  Injuries, a media furore, and more injuries have plagued the former No#1 ranked golfer in the world.

Tiger's last win was at the 2009 Australian Masters.  How do I know that?  I was there.  I saw him put on the yellow jacket at Kingston Heath.  I got a sore neck from crouching down and watching between somebody's knees.  It was worth it.  Tiger was where he belonged, and in my eyes had never really left, just lying dormant until the right time.  Some said he had "lost it", "was over", I never really believed it so I kept my mouth shut (my blogging mouth, anyway).  Tiger showed some form towards the end of the  2011 Australian Open, finishing third, beaten by John Senden (2nd) and Greg "going for the triple crown" Chalmers (1st).  Chalmers, after his win at the Australian Open went on to win again at the PGA at Coolum and is set to put in a fight at the 2011 JBWere Masters next weekend.  Chalmers will be set to play key US events next year, so stay tuned... 

In that same month, Tiger played a crucial role in the 2011 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, helping to seal the win for the USA against the International Team.  

Photo Credit Bay News 9

Currently, Tiger's world ranking has ricocheted from #52 up to #21.

What is to come is yet unknown, but when golf and Tiger Woods get together, it creates eventful, inspiring and perhaps even surprising entertainment.

technorati tags: Tiger Woods, world ranking, australian golf, jbwere masters, australian open, PGA Coolum, Presidents Cup, Chevron World Challenge

Shabby Sheiks

Just when I thought I'd seen it all, from shabby chicks to shabby chic, along came the Shabby Sheik:

A rustic, shabby sheik timber cabinet.  What is a shabby sheik?  What decorating movement does it represent?  Broken tiles?  Ornate but mud covered mosaics?  Or perhaps the seller was someone mysterious but well known...

I love the shabby sheik movement, I intend to decorate exclusively in this style.

And, to follow the immortal words of the man himself,

You are what you is

And you is a bad speller

technorati tags: shabby chic, shabby sheik, shabby chick, frank zappa, sheik yerbouti

Shabby Chic for Shabby Chicks

It's amazing what a difference one letter can make.  I've always thought of the term "shabby chic" as a bit of a self gratification session (I'm trying hard not to swear!)

There is also some kind of brilliantly simple diabolical thinking going on here.  Whoever came up with shabby chic is one clever monkey.  I'm going to take a guess as to what prompted this movement.  One woman or man had a garage full of stuff.  People came and viewed the stuff at a garage sale and said "wow, your stuff's really old, rusty and the paint's peeling off.  I wouldn't give you 20 cents for that rusty oak barrel or that crappy sign that says "flour" that has cobwebs all over it.  Your junk sucks."

So this woman or man, after not selling a thing at their garage sale, developed a plan.  S/he would put a display ad in the local paper, showing all the old rusty, paint peeling crap in a large country-style room, complete with polished floorboards, lace doileys, white tablecloths, white curtains, another bunch of doileys, a couple of pot plants and a headline for the picture "shabby chic".  And thus, the shabby chic movement was created, giving all people from all walks of life the opportunity to sell a rusty bike on ebay for $400 to a clueless yuppie who is willing to buy all your paint-peeling, oxidising junk at premium prices.  And everyone was happy.

And hey, if you want to make your place into a Jane Austen on coke meets Barbara Cartland nightmare then go ahead.  I have developed an irrational fear of lace, doileys and all-white rooms.  And floral bedspreads.    So a shabby chic room for me would be like some kind of interrogation room.  I'd end up telling everything, even though nobody would be asking me any questions.  I'd tell where the gold is buried and the combination to a non-existant jewel safe, just to get out of there.  If someone brought out the iced Vo-Vos I might even scream.  Or run.  Or both. 

What I love even more is when people get this wrong.  Apparently you can buy a table from a "shabby chick", which is in my opinion, too much information for a simple buyer/seller relationship.

I do appreciate her honesty, though.  If you want to create your own shabby chic wonderland, more power to you.  Just don't be too surprised if one of those creepy-assed dolls moves when you're not looking.

technorati tags: shabby chic, shabby chick, rustic, provincial, french decorating, home, decorating, rusty, overpriced

Cappuccino vs Caffe Latte

Have you ever wondered about the difference between caffe latte and cappuccino? Many don't know the difference, including the people who serve them.

Let's start with cappuccino. Cappuccino comes from the Capuchin friars - some say it refers to the colour of their robes, others say it refers to the friars' distinctive hairdo - bald in the middle and hair ringed around the head like a headband. Whatever the reason, we have the wonderful caffeinated beverage, coffee, steamed milk, and a large head of foam topped with a ring or a pattern of cinnamon, cocoa or chocolate sprinkles.

Latte, or caffe latte means "coffee and milk". So, unsurprisingly, the drink consists of coffee and a boatload of milk. This is often served in a glass with a napkin wrap to stop you burning your fingers. It is more similar to a flat white than a cappuccino, only the caffe latte contains more milk. According to Wikipedia, the drink was popularised in Seattle in the 1980s and is still hugely popular today.

Which brings me to my daily battle with take away coffees. I love to drink a take away cappuccino, lift off the lid and lick off the foam and chocolate from the inside. Perhaps not the daintiest look, but that's how I do it.  Only a cappuccino can provide this experience, so I order a cappuccino every time I get a coffee.

For some reason, my saying "Cappuccino" sounds distinctly like "Caffe Latte" to the person behind the counter.  I walk out only to find that I have a milky coffee and no foam, no sprinkles, no fun.   Apparently the rise of caffe latte in Seattle was so powerful, that nobody believes you anymore when you ask for a cappuccino.  They think "poor thing, she's obviously not keeping up with the times.  I'll do her a favour and make her a latte so she won't be excruciatingly embarrassed."

I would like to release an open letter to my particular local cafe, however this can apply to cafes around the world:

Dear "Barista",
You are actually Italian, so you should know better than to confuse a cappuccino with a caffe latte.  I know it's hard for you and that I am the only person since 1989 to ask for a cappuccino since everyone is sooo hip to the latte thing, but I-don't-care.  I want my daggy outmoded cappuccino, I want it brimming with foam and chocolate sprinkles.  Kindly make mine frothy, I don't want a hot milk with a dash of coffee in it, I don't care if Kate Moss is doing it.


sincerely,
Proud (if not fashionably challenged) cappuccino drinker

technorati tags: cappuccino, latte, caffe latte, cafe latte, capucin, friar, barista, cappuccino vs caffe latte, coffee, cafe