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Upcoming NCF Workshops

Thanks to funding from the City of Ottawa’s Community Economic Development Program, we are pleased to offer a series of free workshops that help people learn how to save money online while staying safe and protecting their privacy, respecting copyright, and understanding the trade-offs involved with many free services. We are also producing a related handbook and will post the link here once it's done.

The workshops are being offered in partnership with Ottawa Public Library (OPL). Most of the workshops also offer opportunities for people to get help one-on-one help so please feel free to bring your laptops or other connected devices with you. That said, we can't help with any repairs. At this time, the workshops are only being offered in English. Here’s an overview:

What free really means: understanding the privacy and personal data you're trading to save money

Many of us use free online services for communication, fun and work. In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where the personal data of more than 87 million Facebook users was secretly searched and used for targeted political ads, this panel discussion will feature local experts explaining and debating the trade-offs. This isn't about scare tactics or telling you what not to do, it's about understanding what you really signed up for when you clicked accept on an agreement that was too long and complicated to read.

Date: Will be re-scheduled

OPL Event Links: Event Page | Drop In Program| Location

Location: TBD

Finding and using online coupons, flyers, and promo codes!

This one speaks for itself: save money online by comparing prices, finding coupons for things you already buy, and sniffing out other online deals. No scissors required! There's time for one-on-one digital support after the workshop so please bring your questions and feel free to also bring a connected device if you want specific help. That said, we can't help with any repairs.

Date: Wednesday, December 5th at 6:30pm

OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location

Location: Ottawa Public Library, Carlingwood

281 Woodroffe

Ottawa, Ontario K2A 3W4

Public transit routes:11,16,87

Directions:Google Map

Hands-on help to apply online for government subsidies: Ontario Electricity Support Program and the Canada Learning Bond

Are you living on a low income and pay your own hydro? You might be eligible for a rebate up to $75 a month! Do you live on a low to moderate income and have children? You might be eligible for up to $2000 per child for their post-secondary education! Find out more about these programs and apply online, with hands-on help. You'll need your latest Notice of Assessment from your taxes, your hydro bill, and the Social Insurance Numbers of everyone in your household.

Date: Wednesday, December 12th at 6:30pm

OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location

Location: Ottawa Public Library, Greenboro

363 Lorry Greenberg

Ottawa, Ontario K1T 3P8

Public transit routes:98,644,649

Directions:Google Map

Past NCF Workshops

Saved with a Click

How to shop for internet and computers

Date: Monday, September 10th at 6:30pm

Saving money online starts with your internet connection and the computer or mobile device you want to connect. Megs vs gigs? Cable vs DSL? Ram vs processor? Desktop vs tablet? How do you buy what you need without getting oversold? Join us as we help you understand the basics.

Location: Ottawa Public Library, Nepean Centrepointe Branch

101 Centrepointe

Ottawa, Ontario K2G 5K7

613-580-2940 (Infoservice)

Public transit routes: 82,83,84,86,87,94,95,111,174

https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/branch/nepean-centrepointe

Free anti-virus and anti-malware programs and how to use them effectively

You don't need to buy a pricey software program to be safe, learn what's available and how best to use it.

Date: Wednesday, October 17th at 6:30pm

OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location

Location: Ottawa Public Library, Centennial Branch

3870 Old Richmond

Ottawa, Ontario K2H 5C4

Public transit routes: 88,9,256

Directions:Google Map

Identifying spam, phishing emails and suspicious websites

Saving money online can mean using unfamiliar websites, signing up for email newsletters offering discounts, and entering contests. When is it real and when is it too good to be true? We'll teach you how to tell the difference. here's time for one-on-one digital support after the workshop so please bring your questions and feel free to also bring a connected device if you want specific help. That said, we can't help with any repairs.

Date: Tuesday, October 23rd at 6:30pm

OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location

Location: Ottawa Public Library, Centennial Branch

3870 Old Richmond

Ottawa, Ontario K2H 5C4

Public transit routes: 88,9,256

Directions:Google Map

Internet Security Basics

At Internet Security Basics learn about using public wifi and other ways to feel safe online without spending a bundle. You're at a cafe or a public space and the free wifi login pops up: learn how to make sure your private information is safe, and other online security precautions you can take. There's time for one-on-one digital support after the workshop so please bring your questions and feel free to also bring a connected device if you want specific help. That said, we can't help with any repairs.

Date: RESCHEDULED, NEW DATE: Monday, October 29th at 6:30pm

OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location

Location: Ottawa Public Library, Centennial Branch

3870 Old Richmond

Ottawa, Ontario K2H 5C4

Public transit routes: 88,9,256

Directions:Google Map

Saving money on long-distance calling

Technology has made the world feel smaller: use the internet to connect with friends and family around Canada and the world for free or a fraction of traditional long distance rates! There's time for one-on-one digital support after the workshop so please bring your questions and feel free to also bring a connected device if you want specific help. That said, we can't help with any repairs.

Date: Monday, November 5th at 6:30pm

OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location

Location: Ottawa Public Library, Alta Vista

2516 Alta Vista

Ottawa, Ontario K1V 7T1

Public transit routes: 87,92,93

Directions:Google Map

Saving on entertainment online while respecting copyright

Cut the cord and diversify your media diet! We help you find safe and free online video, audio, e-books and gaming content that don't break the law. There's time for one-on-one digital support after the workshop so please bring your questions and feel free to also bring a connected device if you want specific help. That said, we can't help with any repairs.

Date: Wednesday, November 14th at 6:30pm

OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location

Location: Ottawa Public Library, Elmvale Acres

1910 St-Laurent

Ottawa, Ontario K1G 1A4

Public transit routes: 40,48,86,106

Directions:Google Map

Open Source options

At Open Source options, learn about free robust operating systems and free software that can work on your existing system. For those of you looking for free Windows alternatives. Or maybe you want to be able to edit photos, or audio, or video without breaking the bank. We show you options. There's time for one-on-one digital support after the workshop so please bring your questions and feel free to also bring a connected device if you want specific help. That said, we can't help with any repairs.

Date: Wednesday, November 28th at 6:30pm

OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location

Location: Ottawa Public Library, Orleans

1705 Orléans

Ottawa, Ontario K1C 4W2

Public transit routes: 34,134,634

Directions:Google Map

Other Workshops

We started offering workshops in partnership with the Ottawa PC Users' Group (http://opcug.ca/public/home.htm) in 2015. They continue to offer many of these workshops at Ottawa Public Library locations around the city, check them out!

Then in 2016 and 2017, thanks to funding from the New Horizons for Seniors Program from Economic and Social Development Canada, we ran "WiseNet" a hands-on 16-workshop series targeting those 55 years and older. Thanks to Pinecrest-Queensway Employment Services Centre for use of their space.

We also offer occasional workshops by NCF staff and volunteers on areas of interest to NCF members, including copyright and maximizing wifi. Some examples of past workshops include:

Windows 10 — the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Windows 10 represents a considerable change from Windows 7 and an evolutionary refinement from Windows 8.1. Chris Taylor, President of the Ottawa PC Users™ Group, will talk about some of the important changes both visible and under the hood. If you find Windows 10 confusing, or just want to know more about what's hidden, this session is for you.

Computer Basics

This workshop includes content on the basics of your computer, from connecting your mouse and keyboard, to types of memory, installing a new program, creating short-cuts, to how to turn on your wi-fi, use a USB port and more!

Office suites/word processing

This workshop includes the basics on different office suites (MS Office vs. LibreOffice), how to start a document, save it, and retrieve it. As well as different file types, and how to change font size, page alignment, numbering, margins etc.

Basic internet/web browsing

This workshop includes an overview of different browsers, bookmarking, how to optimize your search results, and some basics on safe web-surfing.

Basics of computer and internet security

This workshop digs into malware, how to create strong passwords, how to set-up secure wi-fi, and anti-virus programs.

Email

This workshop covers browser-based email vs using a mail client, IMAP vs POP, attaching documents and images, and a detailed exploration of spam/spoofing/phishing and how to avoid them.

Communications

This workshop includes an overview of Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephone services, as well as Skype and similar programs.