News and Notices

All courses, workshops and tutorials are for financial members only. To become a member, please see our joining page.

Courses and Workshops

Android Smartphones and Tablets Users Group
When:  Tuesday 23 July, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where:  Anvil House, Level 1 Room 2
​Facilitator:  Graeme Munro
​Register:  Pre-registration is not required.  
Cost:  This meeting is free for SeniorNet members
Click for details (Android Smartphones and tablets Users Group)
If you want to get the most out of your Android device, come to this user group.

​These sessions are specifically designed to help the beginner and new members are particularly welcome. Come along and ask your questions or maybe provide the answer to someone else’s question. One-on-one help may be available if time allows.

Topics covered in our previous meeting included
  • Vodafone roaming charges on pre-pay
  • Kiwicard for fuel discounts
  • Aptoide – downloadable apps
  • Press Reader sign-in change  
  • Displaying photos on TV screen from USB flash drive​
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Press Reader to read Library magaines and newspapers from your own PC or tablet
When: Wednesday 24 July, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Anvil House, Level 1, Room 2
Presenter: Alan Royal
Register: Registration required.  Click Seniornet Registration
Cost: $5 - payable at the door, correct change appreciated
Click for details  (Read Library magaines and newspapers from your own PC or tablet)
​Alan will explain how to use the Press Reader that is associated with the Wellington City Library to read for FREE (provided you have a Wellington Library Card) 
newspapers, (Dominion Post & others), and magazines (Listener, Cuisine).
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Questions and Answers (Q&A) Group
When:  Thursday 25 July, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where:  Anvil House, Level 1 Room 2
Facilitator:  Alan Royal
​Register:  Pre-registration is not required.  
Cost:  This meeting is free for SeniorNet members
Click for details (Questions and Answers Group)
The format will be a quick run down on present and future technology developments of interest to Senior​Net members followed by a question and answer session, where we can all help each other to solve​ problems, simple or complex.

New members will find this very helpful, as we ​also show you how to go about solving issues that we may not be able to fix​ ​at the session.

​The group welcomes new and experienced computer users. Come along and contribute, enjoy yourself and learn something new.
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Photography Workshop
When: Wednesday 31 July, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Anvil House, Level 1, Room 2
Presenter: Bryan Carver
Register: Registration preferred.  Click Seniornet Registration
Cost: $5 - payable at the door, correct change appreciated
Click for details  (Photography Workshop)
The basic principles of photography established in 1826 have not changed. They are still essentially the same.

This workshop will show you the options of moving off the Auto selection on your camera. Your camera manufacturer has provided you with a considerable number of options and for good reason. I will illustrate these and guide you in finding them on your camera. There are a few “smart phones” that have these options with the intention of making it easy for you to improve the quality of your photos.

We will also cover downloading images from your camera “or cell phone (or smart phone!)” plus some ideas for filing your images. There is not much point in having 10-20,000 photos on your computer if you cannot find a particular one. I have nearly 60,000.

Bring along your camera and manual.
​
We will cover camera functions, shutter, aperture, ISO (settings for image sensitivity) how and why you should switch off the FLASH function, a few composition rules …. Plus …. I will email 18 pages of notes to you.
​
Although registration is preferred, don’t worry, just come along.
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IOS Users Group
When: Friday 2 August, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where:  Anvil House, Level 1,  Room 2
​Facilitator: Allan Chee
​Register:  Pre-registration is not required.  
Cost: This meeting is free for SeniorNet members
Click for details (IOS Users Group)
​​IOS is the operating system on Apple portable devices.

​Are you having problems with your iPhone, iPad or iPod device or just interested in learning more about it? If so, you are welcome to come along & ask questions. Don't be shy.

These sessions are specifically designed to help the beginner. Come and ask your questions so that we can help you get the most out of your Apple phone or tablet. Even if you don’t have any questions yourself, still please come along as you may have the answer to someone else’s question. 
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Broadband FAQs
When: Wednesday 7 August, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Anvil House, Level 1, Room 2
Presenter: Alan Royal
Register: Registration required.  Click Seniornet Registration
Cost: $5 - payable at the door, correct change appreciated
Click for details  (Broadband FAQs)
Alan will present some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) with respect to Broadband and its technology.
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Digicam Group
When:  Thursday 8 August, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where:  Anvil House, Level 1 Room 2
Facilitator:  Ray Heenan
​Register:  Pre-registration is not required.  
Cost:  This meeting is free for SeniorNet members
Click for details  (Digital Camera SIG)
This group is all about learning and sharing information relevant to the digital camera world, including smartphone cameras. Each month there is a special topic of interest to members. 

This session is mainly focused on discussing photos of large and small items of flora and fauna.
 
Bring along a selection of your pics either on SC card or on a USB memory stick (and your digicam), with questions and suggestions:
 
  • about your equipment,
  • on how to improve your final results, from
  • taking your pics, to
  • working on them with camera and/or computer apps.

See you there.
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Google Mail (GMail) Getting Started and Basics
When: Friday 9 August, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Where:  Anvil House, Level 1, Room 11
Coordinator: Ngaire Jackson
Register:  Registration required. Click Seniornet Registration. ​
To ensure we have enough tutors the class size will be kept small.  If the registration limit is exceeded you will be put on a wait list and advised when the next class will be scheduled.
Cost: $10 - payable on the day
Click for Details (Google Mail (GMail) Getting Started and Basics)
This course will help you set up a Google Mail (Gmail) account and get started using GMail as your email program.
Course Outline:
  1. Set up an email account using Gmail.
  2. Choose personal settings.
  3. Send, receive and reply to emails.
  4. Send and open attachments.
  5. Create folders/labels to save emails.
  6. Save files to your computer/Google Drive
  7. Synchronise with a cell phone or tablet
  8. Use the contacts app to set up contacts and groups of contacts 
 
Additional SeniorNet Help and Advice:   
  • The Help Centre on Mondays provides the opportunity for supervised practice and revision. 
  • A Question and Answer workshop (Q&A) is held  on the fourth Thursday of each month.
Note that you will need to register for either of these sessions.

​Other Recommended Reading: 
https://support.google.com/mail/
https://www.gcflearnfree.org
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Computer Owners Group (COG) 
When:  Wednesday 14 August, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where:  Anvil House, Level 1 Room 2
Facilitator:  Michael Munro
​Register:  Pre-registration is not required.  
Cost:  This meeting is free for SeniorNet members
Click for details (Computer Owners Group)
This group is for computer users at all levels of experience. Come along and contribute, enjoy yourself and learn something new.

The format is primarily a question and answer session, where we can all help each other to solve problems, simple or complex. New members will find this very helpful, as we also show you how to go about solving issues that we may not be able to fix at the session.

Scroll down to the Computer Owners Group section on our Newsletter page to see notes taken at previous meetings.
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Google Mail (GMail) Using the Google Apps
When: Friday 16 August, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Where:  Anvil House, Level 1, Room 11
Coordinator: Ngaire Jackson
Register:  Registration required. Click Seniornet Registration. ​
To ensure we have enough tutors the class size will be kept small.  If the registration limit is exceeded you will be put on a wait list and advised when the next class will be scheduled.
Cost: $10 - payable on the day
Click for Details (Google Mail (GMail) Using the Google Apps)
This course follows on from our Google Mail Basics course and will introduce  the free web-based programmes that come with Gmail.
 
Course Outline:
  1. Introduce Google  Extensions
  2. Set up a Calendar
  3. Use Google Drive to save to the web
  4. Explore other apps available on the Google Apps Bar
  5. Synchronise Google apps with a smartphone or tablet.

Additional SeniorNet Help and Advice:   
  • The Help Centre on Mondays provides the opportunity for supervised practice and revision. 
  • A Question and Answer workshop (Q&A) is held  on the fourth Thursday of each month.
Note that you will need to register for either of these sessions.

​Other Recommended Reading: 
https://support.google.com/mail/
https://www.gcflearnfree.org
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Apple MAC Users Group
When: Monday 19 August, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where:  Anvil House, Level 1,  Room 2
​Facilitator: Keith Smith
​Register:  Pre-registration is not required.  
Cost: This meeting is free for SeniorNet members
Click for details (Apple MAC Users Group)
​This user group is suitable for all experience levels including those who are new to MAC.

Are you new to Mac? Thinking of purchasing an Apple Mac?  Come along to observe or ask questions.

Each month we will be looking at a special topic, followed by a Q&A session where you can share your knowledge and experiences with or learn from other Apple Mac Computer users.
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The Help Centre (every Monday except public holidays)

When: Monday, 10:00am - 12:00pm or 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Where: Anvil House, Level 1 Room 11 and 12
Coordinator: Sandra Thorn 
Register:  The maximum number for each session is 6, and as these are popular sessions you must register with Sandra by phone at 232 4173 or email at saonbeauchamp@gmail.com to ensure a tutor is available to assist you. 
Cost: $10 for up to 1 hour and $15 for up to 2 hours.
Click for details (The Help Centre)
​The Help Centre tutors can assist members who are new to computers or wish to improve their skills or are having problems with their portable device.

We offer one-to-one assistance in a cheerful, friendly environment and while we don’t have all the answers we can usually point you in the right direction.

We can help with a number of computing devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, Apple Macs, iPads. You can use the computers at SeniorNet or bring your own.
​
If you bring your own device please make sure the battery is fully charged or bring the power cord. It is very important that you bring all the passwords for your device.   ​