Hi,

My name is Amy and I have been a member here along with all of our previous alternate sites for about ten years. I have never posted under this this section or any related technology section. I just have never been any good at this and it has never come easy to me to learn.

It seems that this material with the web comes easy to some and I have always envied you all.:) I would like to become more computer savvy but am not sure where I should begin.. Unfortunately, I do not know anyone who is a savvy technological expert. So, I thought I would try asking here for help.

Here's the problem..

Recently, I downloaded the media Real Player Plus. I had their standard version but thought I'd try out the upgraded edition. Earlier this afternoon, I was trying to download a few videos from YouTube onto a CD-R disc for my 12 month old son. These were older cartoon episodes of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and various videos of my son that were taken since he was born last year. Nothing illegal...

I was unable to transfer these videos from the real player media onto the two discs I used: CD-R and HP DVD + RW. A message kept popping up for the latter one saying I did not have a disc in drive D but I did and even double checked on that.

Could someone please help me and be willing to help explain to me as to what I am doing wrong?

Also, since this has been one of my weaknesses for over a decade, I decided this afternoon that I want to improve my computer and web skills.. I thought of taking a class in computer science 100 as my final elective before I graduate next semester. I took a class at AACC back in 2002 called Computer Information and Technology that was 4 credits to fulfill my requirements at the time for business management. I remember being frustrated then and spending hours in the computer lab after class each week.

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this and I apologize about the length of this. Any help or advice in this area would be greatly appreciated.

Enjoy the holidays everyone!

Amy

Sometimes for whatever reason disks refuse to work. Did you try using other disks or the same one?

What is it you would like to focus on for computer learning?

Sometimes for whatever reason disks refuse to work. Did you try using other disks or the same one?

What is it you would like to focus on for computer learning?

Hey!

How have you been doing? I remember you from other threads of mine you've answered. Your actually one of my favt. Experts!

Anyhow, I was hoping that was the case but after trying another HP DVD + RW disc, I had the same response. Also, when I tried to transfer the videos to a CD-R disc, that was successful but did not play in the DVD player.. but I could have made an error there because I never use the DVD player.

I just went through and printed out all of the must read threads and apologize if I bended the rules. This is a Dell computer for starters and we have a Windows operating system. I use the Mozilla Firefox and it is set as my default browser. We have always used Microsoft too.

Next, I think I just want to know where I need to begin and start.. What I need to do to become more knowledgeable with using different programs such as Excel (I can use the basics of it) and being able to fix common errors that come up with Microsoft word and openoffice.org.

After, I get down those basics, I want to know what my next steps are in becoming a kid genius in technology like you guys.:)

Here is an online tutorial about excel.

Good Luck.

Excel Tutorial (http://people.usd.edu/~bwjames/tut/excel/)

I'm not sure why you are receiving the error as I am assuming your drive works fine and the discs are indeed blank. However, some DVD players cannot play burned DVD's. That is one thing to consider when you are burning DVD's. (can my player play it?)

As far as learning more in the computer field. You are on the right track. You have to ask yourself what it is you would like to focus on. Obviously you can't choose to be knowledgeable in everything because that is impossible.

It look slike you are interested in the Office Suite. THere are many training centers that offer Office Certs or Training and many things you can find online.