Where I cover: Lewes and surrounding areas

To contact Karen, click here.

Availability: weekdays, weekends and evenings.

What I teach:

• New starters, computer basics

• Advice on purchasing computers
• Using internet browsers (leisure, shopping, Ebay, Skype -phone calls over internet, music, family history, Facebook and much more)
• Emails (setting up, using and advanced use)
• Technical issues
• Desktop publishing, photo software, digital cameras, webcams
• Installing software and hardware( eg printers, scanners etc)
• Windows Explorer, accessing files and external memory
• Accessibility and personalising the computer to work best for you
• Assistive Technology – all aspects including Dragon Naturally Speaking, on screen keyboards, advice on different keyboards/mice, magnification/screenreading and more
• Excel, Wordprocessing, Office applications
• Basic webpage design

And a lot more, so please contact me if you would like to discuss something in particular

About me:

For the past 10 years I have been a Senior Assessor with a national computing charity specialising in assessing and training people with disabilities and limiting conditions. I assess people’s needs and recommend software or hardware that would help them depending upon their needs. I have extensive experience in assistive technology and accessibility, both software and hardware. However, for many people using computers, just enlarging text on the screen or knowing how to change colours can help them. I travelled the UK training people in their homes for 6 years. For the past 5 years I have been head of remote services, assessing and training clients remotely via the internet. This can be a quick and very efficient way of meeting client’s needs. Clients I have trained and assessed include people in South Africa, Latvia, Ireland and all across the UK. I am also an Accreditation Tutor/Assessor for professionals working in the field of Assistive Technology at Level 3 qualification.

I have experience in training all ages and abilities in general computing. Before working in assistive technology, I was IT & Marketing Co-ordinator for a company that specialised in set dressing for the TV and Film industry.  I have also been a technical volunteer for the charity IT Can Help, visiting people in their homes and helping with their computer technical issues. I also carry out presentations and webinars on computing and accessibility to larger groups.

For more information, see my website http://www.kmacomputing.webs.com

The computer is just a tool and it is hugely satisfying to help others learn how to use it with growing confidence and enjoyment. The internet, with its unlimited source of information and entertainment, can be daunting and I can help you find your way around or show you how to keep in touch with friends & family.

I can help you share the excitement and save you both time and money.

Where I cover: Brighton and Hove

To contact Barry, click here.   

Availability: I am available daytime or early evenings.

What I teach:

• The very basics of using a computer
• How to use the mouse and keyboard
• The internet and email
• Printing and scanning images
• Contact and diary management
• Word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and databases
• Safety and protection of computer operation
• Backup and security of information
• Home networks
• Digital photography and image editing
• Online shopping
• Webcams and video communication
• Organising your music
• Computing and genealogy

About me:

I am 59 years of age, happily married with children. We have a second home in Cyprus (within a nature reserve) where my wife and I enjoy our hobby of photography while exploring the countryside.

Through my background in computing over many years I have often been called upon to advise and guide individuals, whether colleagues or friends, on their use of computers, software, and a diverse range of digital gadgets and services. I believe that a key quality of a tutor is empathy and an understanding of the other person’s needs, priorities and capabilities.

I have been working with computer technology and software since graduating from University where I studied Electronics. As well as using computers in my work as a business tool I have embraced the many aspects of the digital world in my life outside work. I consider myself to be an ‘advanced user’ of the Microsoft Office suite (including Access and Publisher). As well as the various Microsoft products, I use a range of Web development tools to support several personal websites which I have developed. I use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social and business networking sites.

A user of email and the internet since the very early days of the industry, I am able to advise on various communications services including Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail, Messenger live, Skype, etc. I am familiar with most common internet browsers Explorer, Firefox, Safari and Chrome.  I also know my way around domain registration and management.

On the home front, I am a keen photographer and use the computer for all my photo cataloguing, processing, scanning and printing (Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Elements). My digitised music CD collection is accessible over my wireless home network and I use several multimedia applications.

As the boundaries of digital technology become increasingly blurred I have followed the convergence of media broadcasting and the internet and feel fairly comfortable in being able to navigate around and find what I’m looking for. I consider myself a careful and responsible user of the internet and am aware of the many risks from viruses and spyware. I take data security very seriously and take steps to guard against the constant risk of phishing, identity theft and other internet based scams.

Having used computers for much of my adult life I am very aware of the need for regular backup and am familiar with the use of mirroring and synchronisation tools as well as the use of backup media and storage devices.

I realise that my knowledge of technology and software is way beyond what a typical person would need and my approach is to always guide them through the maze without expecting them to have my level of understanding. To that end I can offer a patient and confident hand of reassurance to help break through the technology barrier.

Where I cover: From Crowborough and Cranbrook south to the coast at Eastbourne across to Rye.

Other places – Lamberhurst, Heathfield, Hurst Green, Hailsham, Battle, Hastings and Bexhill.

To contact John, click here.

Availability: Mainly evenings and weekends but very flexible. There’s no harm in asking

What I teach:

• Buying a PC or Mac
• Getting started for beginners
• Connecting to the internet, email, surfing, Skype
• Word processing, spreadsheets
• Digital photography, graphics editing
• Desk top publishing (DTP)

About me:

After whizzing around the world disguised as a hydrographic surveyor in my younger days I finally came back to England in the late 80′s. Partly due to my wanderings my wife and two sons are a mixed bunch having been born in Burma, Brunei and the USA respectively.

I had become more and more involved with computers during this time abroad and decided this was the career for me and have therefore worked in IT ever since, initially for a software house and, since January 2000, as a self employed IT consultant working on web site design and maintenance.

I live in a picture postcard village in East Sussex and soon became known as the ‘guy who can sort it out’ whenever people got into trouble with their PCs. I quickly found myself helping people around the local area, covering anything from buying or upgrading a PC to building their own websites.

I found the Digital Unite philosophy complimented my own desire to help other people get the benefits and enjoyment that so many individuals get from their understanding of computers. Their emphasis on the ‘Silver Surfer’ also fits in neatly with the work I had already been doing which has involved me with many ‘mature’ learners, some well into their 80′s! Seeing their enthusiasm and growing confidence has been a massive plus factor for me. I am a great believer in  one-to-one training where I can dedicate my full attention to someone.