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should notify you of any required players, most are free and easily accessible online. Software programs for reading documents in other formats like Microsoft Word, PDF, or Microsoft PowerPoint are also available online gratis. If your instructor requires Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, a free alternative is the OpenOffice suite from http://www.OpenOffice.org. You can create word processed documents and save them in Microsoft Word format, or in rich text file format which can be read on Macintosh computers. Similar functions exist in OpenOffice's presentation and spreadsheet programs.

Prior to reading or playing a file, you may have to download it from the class website. The class website and related files are stored on a host computer and must be transferred or downloaded from the host computer to your own personal computer. The process of moving files in the other direction, that is, transferring a file from your computer to the host computer, is called uploading. This involves a process very much like the method of attaching a file to an email message. The instructor or other students may then access the file which you've uploaded. Downloading is slightly more complex; guides are available at:
http://www.asp-shareware.org/u sers/how-to-download.asp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/a skbruce/articles/download/howt odownloadafile_1.shtml

The most basic and important communication tool you'll need to learn is electronic mail. You should be able to:

compose and send email messages,
read messages,
attach a file to a message, and
open, download, and save a file that is attached to a message. Downloading is explained later in this article.
Learn all about using email at: http://www.learnthenet.com/ENG LISH/section/email.html and read http://webfoot.com/advice/emai l.top.php for a very thorough overview of email for novices.

Armed with this small but achievable skill-set, adults returning to school can avoid common computer problems. Experiment, enjoy, and use your computer to reach out to other students as you embark on your educational journey.

Learn more about this author, Mary Therese.
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