A Visit to Dad's Driveway

My Dad has a big driveway at his place in Dunnellon, Florida.  We usually stop there when we're in the neighborhood. 

It's been a while since we've stopped there - so I was glad that the weather and schedule cooperated this time.  He is acting very appropriate for a Geek's Dad ... the first thing he asked after we got set up was, "Can you set up my new Kindle so it hooks up to my Wi-Fi?"  Jim took a few minutes to do that, and the next thing we knew Dad had downloaded a new book and was happily reading away!

In the evening, he took us out to dinner at the Blue Gator - right on the Rainbow River.  Sure wish we had some time so we could paddle our kayaks down the river.  It is such gorgeous, clear, spring fed water.  Here's Jim, Me, Dad, and Candy.

Thanks Dad!

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Hands-On Computer Boot Camp

Our 'Geek Week' at Holiday Travel Resort ended with our hands-on Computer Boot Camp.

Hands on Computer Class at Holiday Travel Resort

The first time we offered this class, we taught it in a 6 week / 2 nights a week format.  Then we did it in a 2 day format.  This class was one day, and it is a completely revamped class based on Windows 7 - no XP computers allowed!  When we teach it at the FMCA rallies, we do it in 4 hours over two evenings.  It really needs the 6 weeks!  But, each student gets a workbook and a DVD of videos, so they can use that as a self-study course.  I figure if, during the hands on class, they understand how to use the DVD, and pick up a couple of pointers - then it's been a valuable use of their time.
We had some seriously glazed-over eyes by the end of the day, but I think everyone learned something.  And, I've given them homework via a special forum set up just for the class.

Here's the outline:


'What you Need to Know about your Laptop and Windows 7'
Session One

• The Most Important Feature of Vista/Windows 7: Search
• On/Off, Sleep and Restart
• Closing the Lid
• Turning it off
• Restart, aka Reboot
• Know Your Laptop
• Your computer’s ‘Properties’
• Your Computer’s storage—Disk Drives
• Keyboard, Mouse and Touchpad
• Mouse and Touchpad settings.
• Connectors and Other Controls
• Security
• Software Protecting your Computer
• Word Processing
• Saving a file in Vista/Windows 7
• Another Letter with ‘Save As…’

Session Two

• Exploring the Contents of your Computer
• Customize your Windows Explorer Screen
• Identify Your Computer’s Users
• Your Documents
• File Management
• 1. Copy files from Disk to Computer
• 2. Making Folders, Copying Files from DVD to Computer
• 3. Backup
• 4. Renaming a Folder
• 5. Deleting a Folder
• 6. Recovering a Folder from the Recycle Bin
• To Empty the Recycle Bin
• Connecting to the Internet
• Wi-Fi
• Browsing the Web
• Go directly to a website
• Boot Camp Membership to Geeks on Tour
• The name of your forum is:
• Boot Camp Videos

If you might be interested in us presenting this class at your park or Rally, let us know OK? The preferred format is 2 days/6 hrs each day. The cost is $120 per couple sharing one computer. This includes the book and DVD. You can also purchase the book and DVD separately for $20.

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‘Geek Week’ at Holiday Travel Resort

We’re here in Leesburg, Florida at the request of our friend, Roxie.  She is active in the computer club here and this is the second year that she booked us for a week to present seminars and our hands-on Computer Boot Camp.

We had a nice turnout for our Picasa seminar yesterday.  Tomorrow is How to Make Blog – Free and Easy, and Thursday is Using Google Earth.  Then we do our hands-on class on Friday, “Computer Boot Camp: What you need to know about your Laptop and Windows 7 / Vista”

This is a great place to go walking, and Roxie has 3 dogs!  As we walk, others join us along the way.  I guess we’ve traded in Happy Hour for ‘Yappy Hour’!

We don’t have time to actually participate in many activities, but, during our walk, we noticed line dancing and were impressed by the large group.  We did partake of the hot tub last night … and slept really good afterward too!

Line Dancing class at Holiday Travel Resort

We so appreciate all of Roxie’s efforts to promote Geeks on Tour!  Wonder if she’s looking for work as a Geek Agent

Beauty in a Florida Sunset

Oh Boy! We're on the road and we're watching a beautiful sunset. I love taking pictures and I just haven't seen anything pretty in a while.  We're at John Prince campground in Lake Worth.  It's a nice park ... great Wi-Fi!  And take a look at this sunset:

This morning we were at Willow Wood, where my Mom is living.  We showed one of her scuba travel videos in their auditorium.  We had a full house - all went well.  Here is a short sample of the video we showed - Thorfinn in Micronesia - 2000.

Now we're on our way to Holiday Travel Resort in Leesburg where we're booked to do a week's worth of seminars, including our hands-on boot camp.  Then comes the FMCA SE area rally in Brooksville.  Then some more seminars at an RV park - Florida Grande.  And last, but not least, a presentation at the Brevard County Genealogical Society in Titusville.  See our website for the complete schedule.

It feels good to be on the road, but it's getting cold again.  Not the right time to be traveling north! 

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RV Parks in South Florida

Coming to you from the RV SuperShow in Tampa, we thought we'd share this little video to show what Jim is doing as part of his Work-Camping job with Paradise Island RV Park.  And, if you're looking for a park in South Florida, you might be interested in the half price special at our sister park in Punta Gorda, Florida.

In any case, watch the video just to see Jim, Marie, and Bill.  Marie is the manager's daughter at Paradise Island, and she is such a cutie!

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