Computer Underground Railroad Ent.

“When the problem is
a lack of adequate computerization,

the solution is to adequately computerize.”

Computer Underground Railroad Enterprises (CURE or the Railroad) began in 1994 in Harlem, New York and has delivered no financial costs computer training to over 3,000 people ranging in ages from 4 to 92 years old.  The cost of the training is that it be passed onto at least two other people.    To facilitate this goal, this material was written to help your learn or teach others HOW TO COMPUTE.  

The concept is the result of many hours of prayer.  The model is simply that those who have more computer knowledge share it with those who have less, thereby creating balance.  My passion for computers began in 1977.  I am a home computer user since 1984,  My own personal Emancipation Proclamation Day was in 1982 when IBM announced I could have a computer in my home.  Computer comfortable is my training style.  

Now is the time to encourage people to use the newest freedom tool, computers.  You and/or the people you love can get out of the bondage of computer illiteracy by simply replacing it with computer literacy, and the fastest way to get that is experience.  This training is not intended to replace a formal education in computers.  It just covers the basics.  

According to the New York Times, September 7, 2001 "More than half of the households in the United States had at least one computer last year, and more than 40 percent were connected to the Internet, a Census Bureau report released today said." The good news is that the cup is half full.  The bad news is that the cup is half empty. The Cup of Information which holds our daily data, holds a form of life blood in this, the Information Age.  

I believe that safe, effective and comfortable computerization is a lifeline for all of us to communicate our needs and gifts to the world.  To that end I have, in addition to the training, created ergonomic devices to address computer injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and RSI. To learn about how to be comfortable on a computer by providing support where there is stress during computer use, go to http://www.compurest.com.

As Anthony Robbins says in his book AWAKEN THE GIANT WITHIN…”I can’t overemphasize the power and value of gaining even one, single distinction – a sole piece of information – that can be used to change the course of your life.  Information is power when it is acted upon, and one thing is that you never know when you’re going to get it.”

Welcome to the Evolution

1800’s - Agricultural Age

1900’s - Industrial Age

2000’s - Information Age

Computer illiteracy effects members of all economic, racial, religious and social groups..  From filling out forms to engaging in digital commerce on the Internet, a grasp of cyber skills is vital for survival.  For example, many companies no longer give out product information over the phone.  They just tell you to go to their website.  All the major television and radio stations and networks have websites.  Though their broadcasts give short stories, the meat of the information can be found on their website where in many cases, you can click to the newsmaker's site itself..  Otherwise, one has to wait for the newspaper the next day to get all the details.  If you don’t have access the attitude is ‘shame on you.’  Some nurses, ditch diggers, accountants, etc., have been in the unemployment line not because they did a bad job, but because they didn’t know how to operate a computer.  It is an avoidable tragedy solved simply by providing easy to understand computer literacy. 

Think of a computer as a brain mirror.  It reflects the thoughts you share with it on the monitor.  The machine takes your thoughts through a logical process and gives you an opportunity to stress what you feel is most important.  It then, via the Internet and/or your printer, gives you a chance to communicate your ideas to as many people as possible.  It is important to be on the Internet.  Massive amounts of information are being exchanged, some about you.  Cyber ignorance is dangerous in the Information Age.

Unlike the old days, you don’t have to know the deep inner workings of a computer or other technology in order to be able to take advantage of the information it offers.  Beepers, Web-TV, and many other products and services in the process of coming on the market, help you make your voice known.  

This material is written with Microsoft Word 2000 and Window’s ’98 in mind and gives a basic understanding of PC use.  Included are a few notes for other versions of Windows.  This material in various forms of development has been used since 1994 to train between 3,000-4,000 people hot to use a computer. When I get access to Windows 2000 or Mc, I'll put those notes up also.  In the meantime know that each version of Windows comes with an excellent tutorial on how to use the program and the Internet.

The training is designed to be covered in five two hour sessions with 10 hours of lab time.  It is easier for a new computer user to go over this material with a veteran computer user, but many have found success just from using these notes.  E-mail me at [email protected] to let me know your experiences with this material.  

Most importantly, enjoy the journey.  A computer is just plastic and wires with electricity and maybe a laser running through it.  In the words of 92 year old Roxanna Dawson about learning a computer “If I can do it, the rest of you have no excuse.”

If you have space in your house, your community center, your office, wherever, and you can help someone get computer literate, now is the time to do it.  This site is set to show you how I did it so that you can modify it to fit your needs.

The following are a few ideas and materials that you may find helpful.

HOW TO COMPUTE - is the name given to the training.  Until I can re-lay it out, print the pages from the site.  (Click on a lesson.  When it comes on the screen click on FILE - PRINT - OK)

C.U.R.E. Training Proposal has information on the training done and how you can set up your own training center.

The PowerPoint 2000 slide shows are pictures from various trainings and an opportunity to get to know come of your fellow conductors and passengers.

Practice Material

Organizational Material

HOW TO COMPUTE
CLASS NOTES AND MATERIAL BY:  

J. Nayer Hardin, Founder
Computer Underground Railroad Enterprises (C.U.R.E.)

C.U.R.E. Website:  http://www.compurest.com
E-mail:  [email protected]

 The cost of using this material is that
the knowledge be passed onto at least two other people.

 Published 1994-Present

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

05/12/02