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Please note: this section has been updated since plans are well advanced to switch our focus to Linux as our preferred Operating System. Linux is a free alternative to the likes of Microsoft windows and also Apple’s macOS.
Clarborough & Welham IT Group has been actively promoting the use of computers across the wider Bassetlaw  community since 2003. We have a suite of laptops recently equipped with Ubuntu Linux which is now our focus although we have loads of experience of earlier versions of Windows as well as Windows 11 too. One of our laptops can dual boot to either Ubuntu Linux or Microsoft Windows 10 whioch is useful for helping people convert from Windows.
Since its beginnings, the Group has provided easily accessible hands-on experience across a broad range of 'computing' skills (these days the terms IT or ICT are found attached to more academic courses - standing for Information Technology or Information and Communication Technology respectively). We prefer to keep it simple!
The Group has particular experience with a range of open-source applications including LibreOffice and OpenOffice which provide realistic alternatives to Microsoft Office versions - and they cost nothing! The Group uses these to edit our community Newsletter - see Newsletter from the left-hand menu for more details. These open source applications are now installed on our Ubuntu Linux laptops.
The Group also has considerable expertise in a wide range of other areas; particular interests include family and local history, photography and particularly editing of digital images, social media and use of the internet including e-mail skills. The Group has also helped our wider community launch their own website (www.clarborough-welham.org.uk).
Classes all take place in Clarborough Village Hall (DN22 9LN), are competitively priced and scheduled within school term-times to avoid holidays. They are grouped in five-week blocks through 30 weeks per year and are currently planned to run on Saturdays although this may change depending on user demands.
Laptops are provided - or bring your own. A friendly atmosphere and a bit of a laugh are provided free!
We aim to develop basic keyboard and desktop skills with 'hand-holding' support (and that smile and joke) always nearby. Our first aim is to free members from that 'fear' of the computer, something that members have been happy to say that we are good at doing. Access to the internet and e-mail topics always figure early in our programmes since our village hall has broadband coverage.
Sessions start with 'Gardeners' Question-time' type opportunities through which members can seek answers to any of their niggling issues that trouble them. We have a small library of texts and magazines that can be used to research topics that escape our tutors too!
We aim to teach 'transferable' skills - we do not just teach members how to use specific software packages, but rather aim to give wide experience so that members feel confident to experiment in new situations. We do, however, start simple and 'hold hands' until such time that members have the self-confidence to launch out on their own.
Gimp is open-source which means legally copyright-free; this means we can provide copies for members to install on their own laptops. It is compatible with Windows (all versions) as well as Apple and Linux systems.
We aim to firstly explore very basic image editing tasks such as copping, sharpening, colour balancing, etc. as well as making black-and-white versions of your images.
We then move on to copying and pasting parts of one image into another before exploring some of GIMP’s more exotic facilities.
We also have facilities to scan paper images/old photographs so that GIMP’s facilities can then be applied to these scanned versions - ideal for upgrading old photos. Come along to explore!
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