Here are a few questions for anyone who is reading this
post: Have you downloaded a program and lived to regret it? Does your computer
seem to have a mind of its own, behaving in ways you don’t want? When you do a
search, are you taken to irrelevant websites? Has you search engine changed
without your permission? Are extraneous tool bars or pop-ups appearing on your
desktop?
Paul Lewis’s 3-part class aims to help you take back control
of your computer through a series of sessions that will help you “Spring Clean
Your Machine.” While some classes offered by WICE are designed to inspire
creativity or to increase appreciation for the culture around us, Paul Lewis
describes his classes as ‘practical’; “The sessions are designed to help anyone
who owns a computer but does not have a technical background,” he explains. (Most
of us, then!) Do not, however, let the mention of technology and practicality
sway you from what promises to be not only an informative and incredibly useful
course, but also a chance to learn from a man who has taken his knowledge of
computers to a few countries around the world and has many an interesting tale
from doing so.
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| Paul's Spring Cleaning class comes at the perfect time... Spring has struck the city! |
After graduating with a degree in Engineering from The
University of London, England, Paul practiced as an electronics engineer and
after a few years moved into teaching engineering, first in Scotland then in Nairobi,
Kenya. It was here, slightly removed from the technical advances taking place
in other parts of the world, that he ordered his first personal computer and
began to try and understand it. At the time in Kenya, there was no one to turn
to for help with a personal computer; “I was sent floppy disks by a friend in
West Africa who then gave me help via amateur radio.” Paul explains. After
Kenya, Paul moved with his wife to the US and worked in several Silicon Valley
high-tech companies. After working in several capacities in a few more African
countries and the US it was time to retire.
In retirement Paul found his calling as a friend to the
computer-less-literate; he helped neighbours with their technical issues and,
over time, began to give classes at the local computer club. Upon moving to
Paris and joining WICE, Paul was asked for help by another member in need of
some technical support and, as they say, the rest is history… The classes that
Paul offers are those that he has taught for years now and he informs me
confidently that one way to understand computers is to start teaching others
about them!
With his years of teaching experience and consulting on home
computer issues, it’s safe to say that there will not be many computer related
problems Paul hasn’t heard of or cannot solve. His first class, ‘Spring Clean
your Machine’ is a chance to remove the useless, reorganise the important, and
improve your defences against cyber criminals.
Here is everything you need to know about Paul's upcoming sessions:
Here is everything you need to know about Paul's upcoming sessions:
Date: Wednesdays, April 1, 8, and 15, 2015 - 3 sessions
Time: 10h- 12h
Location: WICE - 10 rue Tiphaine,
75015 Paris