Software for learning Mac OS X and iLife and Office Suites etc.

[remlemasi]

My mom has been wanted to learn how to use the computer for a while. She still asks me or my dad for help for a lot of trivial things that I'm sure she can pick up.

Some basic things that she would like to learn:

-Mac OS X in general
-iLife suite (iPhoto mostly)
-iWork/Microsoft Office suite (mostly Word, Powerpoint, Excel) and perhaps how to make flyers or cards or such stationary
-BASIC INTERNET SKILLSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS (like searching on google for recipes, I've been trying to get her to do this for a while...)

Any good software? I know that we can get One-on-One with Apple or other tutors or whatever, but are there any good softwares that teach you? Maybe Video Professor but for Mac OS X? Hopefully with video.

Thanks. This has potential to be last minute Christmas gift if you guys get back to me in time and if the price is reasonable enough.

MERRY CHRISTMAS SOON!

[Brad]

Hmm... Well, for starters, there's:

http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/

If she doesn't mind flipping through dead trees, I hear David Pogue's The Missing Manual (http://missingmanuals.com) series is highly recommended for users of all background.

Mac OS X Leopard: The Missing Manual (http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596529529/)
Office 2008 for Macintosh: The Missing Manual (http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596514310/)
iPhoto '08: The Missing Manual (http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596516185/)

It's from 2006 and the Internet is always quickly changing, but there's even The Internet: The Missing Manual (http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596527426/)! :lol:

[remlemasi]

Hmm... The mac101 might be OK for starter, but she'll probably forget it all within a week. And to be honest, she probably won't touch the dead trees.

How are the free Apple Store sessions?

[Brad]

Never been to one, nor have I seen/heard any reviews. Very helpful, I am. :)

Here's the Group Workshops (http://www.apple.com/retail/workshops/) page. From there, you can make a reservation and get an overview of the available sessions, but it doesn't look like they give the actual schedule there. Maybe you have to complete the sign-up process to get that.

Also interesting... I never saw this before: Apple Retail Store - One to One (http://www.apple.com/retail/onetoone/)
As a One to One member, you can customize your training sessions to suit your needs and enjoy a personal training session once a week for the duration of your membership — all for just $99 a year. Also as a One to One member you're eligible for Personal Setup. When you buy a new Mac we'll transfer your mail, calendar, address book, photos, music, movies and other files from your old computer (PC or Mac) to your new Mac. To join One to One, visit your local Apple Retail Store.

$99 for ~50 sessions, assuming she goes to all of them. Could be a great deal at $2 a pop.

[bassplayinMacFiend]

Hmm... The mac101 might be OK for starter, but she'll probably forget it all within a week. And to be honest, she probably won't touch the dead trees.

How are the free Apple Store sessions?

I attended a free Final Cut Express demo at an Apple store once. The demonstrator asked if anyone had any questions and I said that I knew iMovie and just wanted to see the basic workflow in FCE. In less than 20 minutes I knew enough to be dangerous in FCE. This tutorial was worth way more than the $0 I paid for it. Definitely check your local store's schedule ( at www.apple.com/retail ) to see what classes they offer in store.

This weekend, my Apple store is offering:

Getting Started:

Got a new Mac? Thinking about getting one? Learn how easy it is to use a Mac at the Getting Started Workshop. We'll show you the basics, including setting up your new Mac, connecting to the web, sending email, importing and sharing photos, syncing music to your iPod, connecting a printer, and searching and organizing files.

Mac OS X Leopard Workshop:

With over 300 new features, Mac OS X Leopard will let you have more fun, and be more productive, no matter how you use your Mac. See top Leopard features including the new Desktop featuring Stacks, Finder with Cover Flow for your documents, iChat with fun new video effects, iChat Theater and screen sharing and Time Machine that will keep your Mac fully and automatically backed up.