Just as the title implies, I want to help my sister get familiar with how to use a computer. I don't have the patience to teach her myself, plus we have very different schedules so I would be missing out on something important, like sleep, to show her.

She has had a computer for about 2 years now but still does not know much about it. I was wondering if anyone knows of a web site or a program that I could give to her that would show her how to properly use her computer and programs such as Internet Explorer (So that she can do something worth her time besides wasting it on MySpace).

Video Professor CD is great for that>

I know many people who know how to use the computer effectively, and still waste their time on myspace. Sometimes it's unavoidable :)

Capuchin,

Your absolutely right. I admit I have a Myspace profile but I don't really waste my time on it. Maybe posted less than 10 times on my blog in a year.

My sister has 2 kids and all 3 of them waste their time on MySpace. I would rather be doing something more creative with my time. At least I have my own website that I designed, created, and maintain(When I feel like it) myself. I think the youngest child might know more about how to work the computer than my sister does and the child is only 8.

I set their computer up and created a wireless network to hook it up to... I spent enough time doing minor cleaning and maintenance to the PC and even added more ram for my sister so it would run better... The sad part about all of this is all the stuff they installed on the PC and its performance is really suffering as of late. They expect me to work on it if anything happens but they don't listen to me about downloading and installing things they don't fully know about

I find that the best way to learn about using the PC is an inbuilt desire to tinker. I'm sure your kids have this desire, maybe your sister does not. A lot of people are afraid of breaking the computer, and at the same time they do not realise how fragile it can be from downloading untrusted files.

I think it would be worth you to put aside an hour one weekend to walk her through some things. Especially if she has the desire to learn how to use it properly. I believe that the best way to teach her what you want to teach her, is to do it yourself.

Otherwise, there are a number of computing magazines that are designed to help peopl use their applications. But these all require them to have a desire to learn.

I honestly think my sister should learn how to use her PC. I think that her at least having a basic understanding of what she can do with it and how to do it would help her out tremendously in the long run. It seems like basic computer skills are becoming a nessecity in life anymore. Heck... I bugged my mom for years to buy me a computer... although it never worked. When I turned 18 I received inheritance and the first thing I did was buy an iMac (Still have it, still works.), although my mother was very unhappy about it. If my mom had bought me a PC years ago I would have taken a different path and probably be a lot better off right now. Basically I am saying that I chose to take the Health science field in high school because I had no clue what I wanted to do. I know now that I really love working with computers and learning about them. If I knew then what I do now, I would have chosen Technology instead.

Oh yes it's becoming more and more of our lives. Everyone's aware of it. Being able to use Google properly, managing bookmarks and e-mails is very important.

I do honestly think that helping her yourself is the best path. Or you could talk to her about signing up for a basic computer skills evening class?

She tells me she wants to know how to use it, but when I try to show her little things I don't feel like I get her full attention... That is another reason why it is hard for me to show her myself. She plays it off sometimes.. She always says that I am the computer-savy one in the family and says she is no good at it

I think she's a little bit afraid of the computer? I can understand that it can be intimidating to someone learning how to use it... so many icons and menus..

Menus, Shmenus... No better way than to dive in. Most of it is pretty straightforward. At least I think so anyway. Now, I wouldn't expect her to learn how to install a wireless network though... That is just an accident waiting to happen. Lol.

I've even thought about locking out MySpace on their PC so they would have to find something better to do. Lol

No mention of WHAT she wants to use the PC for. A computer is a tool. A tool that you use to make certain tasks easier. There is almost nothing you can do on a computer that you can't do off the computer.

So you first have to understand what she wants to do. Then show her how the computer can make those things easier, more quick and more fun.

I would make a couple of checklist, like

To turn on, 1) Push power switch, wait till...
2) Click on Icon.
3) Select user name/Password, press enter.
4) create user name for her emai(give quick demo ofWriting,
Sending, Reading and deleting.
5) Warn her that She did not win anything,
6) The hundreds of millions for helping launder money from Nigeria,
May or may not be attempt to get info or money.
7) Surveys and games emailed or from popups, usually are bad idea
8) Her account is not being suspended unless she enters personal info
Don't scare her but Warn her.

Set up something like Google earth, and NASA(they have interesting
Stuff (All Ages)

Close everything out and shutdown.
Back button and how to search.
Maybe figure all out ahead of time, make sure checklist work. By yourself
People easily are intimidated at first. Because of all the questions they have
People can be bored easily.

Show her how to access(Set her up with user name and password)to
HTTP://www. Askmehelpdesk.com. And show how to ask question and
Retrieve answer, put into favorites and acess favorites.
And DON'T tell her its easy, anyone can do it. Good Luck, have fun

There are many ways for your sis to learn how to use a computer

One : Libiary's have books on nearly ever program on the computer which may help here get started.

Two : There are many Beginner and Advance computer course she could take and I know that one or two of this may be free to take.

Three : This is not totally recommanded if your Sis can't navigate totally around the internet as this place is still dangerous to work in but there may be some help there.

Four : Just Learn from doing and getting experience that way, The help Menu in each program and for windows can help with this.