In this course, you´ll learn your way around the new ribbon-based interface and get up and running quickly. Then you´ll focus on the core skills you really need in order to work smarter and faster. First, you´ll learn how to manage the flood of emails you receive, creating folders and archives so you can always find what you need. Then you´ll discover how to keep track of your contacts and how to use Outlook´s Calendar and Alert features. You´ll also find out how to customize Outlook so it perfectly meets your needs, and you´ll discover how to automate your work with rules.

In this course you´ll gain an understanding of the complex method of electronic breaking and entering. You´ll learn the terms and programming behind the interaction between hardware and software when communicating through a network. You´ll follow packets of data from one point to another through an entire network, and find out where the flaws exist for data loss and security breaches. You´ll discover the role of the seven layers of the OSI model, and the dependencies of hardware and software interaction through packet transmission. And you´ll find out how private data can quickly become public knowledge.

This course will quickly bring you up to speed on the fundamentals of PC and network security. You´ll understand and explore the many vulnerabilities of operating systems, software, and networks. Then, you´ll get into the minds of hackers and crackers, developing an understanding of the exploits they use to access your computer without your knowledge. You´ll find out why, where, and how viruses, worms, and blended threats are created. You´ll be able to identify and work to prevent DoS, SYN flooding, and other network attacks. You´ll learn a safe way to share files and data across the Internet through a virtual private network. And you´ll be able to install and configure a firewall to build an impenetrable moat around your computer or network.

Intro to PC Troubleshooting takes you step by step through the typical hardware and operating system problems encountered by technicians, teaching troubleshooting techniques to decipher any problem, and giving you the skills you need to solve them. Once you´ve mastered the basics, the course launches into some of the more advanced and nasty problems that crop up in the PC, teaching you how to diagnose and fix those problems as well! Finally, Intro to PC Troubleshooting shows you how to maintain and optimize a Windows PC.

Learn Perl, a powerful and easy-to-use scripting language used on PCs, servers, and on the Internet for a wide range of programming problems. Perl is also more portable and supported on a greater variety of computers than many other computing languages. Perl programming skills are especially valuable for Web developers, software developers, and system administrators.

This course is designed to prepare you for a lifetime of worthwhile personal financial planning. The tools you will learn are useful, realistic, and easy to work into your regular routine. They will help you gain control over the financial impact of the choices you make. You´ll learn to create and use a budget, borrow and invest wisely, make intelligent decisions about insurance, and plan for your financial future. You´ll develop a retirement savings plan, and you´ll be better prepared to make large purchases and plan for taxes. You´ll also learn the essentials of household bookkeeping and record-keeping requirements. And you´ll discover the secret to understanding and controlling your credit rating to save money and increase your financial security. Note: Internet access, e-mail, Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Firefox Web browser required

Learn to take beautiful pictures of adults, children, and babies.

Learn to use Adobe Photoshop CS4 to edit images, process photos, and create original graphics. Whether you´re a photographer, graphic artist, or just want to alter old family photos, Photoshop is the program for you! This hands-on, project-oriented course is filled with detailed, step-by-step instructions you´ll have no trouble following as you master editing photos, creating basic paintings, and preparing your images for printing. Discover how to improve photographs by removing flaws, correcting for poor exposure, or adding new elements using the newest techniques Photoshop CS4 offers. Note: Adobe Photoshop CS4 (Windows) or Adobe Photoshop CS4 (Mac), Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended, or any version of Adobe Creative Suite CS4 that includes the Adobe Photoshop CS4 or Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended software (software must be installed and fully operational on your computer before the course begins.)

In this course, you´ll become an expert at using layers, layer masks, and other advanced features that let you change images easily long after you create them (and long after the Photoshop "undo" command expires). Non-destructive editing lets you work faster and reuse parts of images over and over. In these lessons, you´ll learn how to save every single pixel in your original image so you never have to say, "I´m sorry, I tossed that information." In addition, you´ll discover how to use Smart Objects so you can crop or resize an image and return it to its original size months afterward. (You´ll even learn some clever tricks for warping Smart Objects!) After that, you´ll find out how to add shadows or embossing non-destructively. And if you want to design page layouts you can fill with different images, you´ll learn how to create templates you can reuse. Note:You will need Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Windows or Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Macintosh. This can be part of the Creative Suite in Standard or Extended editions or it can be a standalone version of either Standard or Extended. However, no features from the Extended version will be taught. Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins. If you want to use the 30-day free trial software provided by Adobe, you will need to wait until the third week of the course to install it and actually begin working through the course. Otherwise, your trial will end before the last four lessons are released. You can also obtain a one- or two-month subscription for the product at a cost of $49 per month. This allows you to use the demo for one month if you like and then buy a one-month subscription so you can take the course for its full length. In addition, you will need to have a program that extracts the example files from the Zip file provided with each lesson.

Adobe´s Photoshop CS5 is a powerful software solution providing support and specialized editing tools for digital photographers and graphic artists. In this course, we´ll focus on how to select and use the professional techniques most helpful to photographers. Designed for those with no image-editing experience, this class will take you from novice to accomplished photo editor. This course offers simple, step-by-step instructions for correcting flaws, enhancing the final product, adding text, and preparing images for email and the Web. Along the way, you´ll learn how to use the tools that make this software so popular and unique in the world of digital image editing. Because this course is specifically targeted at photographers, you´ll come away with a collection of useful techniques and quickly start seeing amazing results in your images! Note: For students who have taken Photoshop for the Digital Photographer with CS3 or CS4.

This course will help you create your best possible work, whether you are looking to be published or simply wish to craft beautiful poems for friends.

You´ll find out how to create dazzling slide presentations consisting of slides that contain text, objects, animation, slide transitions, sounds, charts, outlines, media clips, clip art, and hyperlinks. You´ll learn how to work with the new PowerPoint Ribbon, task panes, the clip organizer, and how to access Microsoft´s Web site to download clip art and templates for your presentations. You´ll see how to make global changes to your slides with the Slide Master. Finally, you´ll discover how to save your presentations so you can share them online or copy them onto CDs. Note: Microsoft Windows Vista or XP, Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 or Microsoft Office Professional 2007 (please be sure to install this software on your computer before the course begins.)

In these lessons, you will learn how to use Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 to create professional-quality slide presentations that grab and hold your audiences attention from start to finish. First, you will explore the latest features of PowerPoint, from the all-new File menu to the Backstage View. After that, you will find out how to create dazzling presentations formatted with themes and a variety of slide layouts. You will embellish your slides with text, objects, SmartArt, multimedia, animation, sound, charts, clip art, and hyperlinks, and you will discover that global changes are a snap with the Slide Master. In addition, you will find out how to download an online image and insert it onto a slide. You will also discover how to edit clip art, images, WordArt, and shapes easily with the commands on the Ribbon. You will explore the printing interface in Backstage View, and find out how to view your presentations in the new Reading View. You will also learn how to create a PowerPoint photo album with your digital pictures, and you will work with PowerPoint Web App, an online version of PowerPoint. Finally, you will add versatility to your PowerPoint skills as you learn to save presentations as PDF files and videos. Note: Microsoft Windows 7, Vista, or XP with Service Pack 3; Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 or Microsoft Office Professional 2010 (please be sure to install this software on your computer before the course begins). This course is not suitable for Macintosh users, nor for users of any older versions of Microsoft PowerPoint.

Experienced project manager teaches you tricks of the project management trade.

Gain the skills you´ll need to succeed in the fast-growing field of project management.

Improve your company´s bottom line by mastering the fundamentals of purchasing.

This course is perfect for beginners or experienced QuickBooks users. In these lessons, you will learn how to set up a chart of accounts, pay bills, invoice customers, create receipts, and reconcile your checking account. In addition, you will discover how to track your accounts payable and receivable, manage your assets, control inventory, and generate estimates and reports.

Learn how QuickBooks accounting software makes it easy to set up a chart of accounts; reconcile your checking account; create and print invoices, receipts, and statements; track your payables, inventory, and receivables; create estimates; and generate reports. QuickBooks is designed for small to midsized businesses that want to incorporate powerful, effective software with a traditional approach to accounting. Whether you´re new to Quickbooks or have already used earlier versions of this accounting software program, this course will equip you to quickly and efficiently gain control over the financial aspects of your business. Note: QuickBooks Pro 2012 or QuickBooks Premier Edition 2012; (please be sure to install this software on your computer before the course begins); the Enterprise version of the software can also be used for this course; however this course is not suitable for Macintosh users, nor for users of QuickBooks Online or QuickBooks SimpleStart.

Preparing payroll in any small business can be a daunting task. Whether you have one employee or 20, the federal and state requirements are often the same. By using the payroll feature in QuickBooks 2010, you can create paychecks, pay tax liabilities, and generate dazzling payroll reports with little effort. In this course, you´ll learn the steps you need to follow to properly set up your payroll system in QuickBooks, steps such as accessing information on the Internal Revenue Service Web site, creating an entry for a new employee, tracking time and job cost data, and generating required forms and reports. Even if you´re already using the QuickBooks´ payroll feature, you´ll gain a lot when we delve into troubleshooting and solving common problems and mistakes! Note: Intuit´s QuickBooks Pro 2010 for Windows (ASIN: B002KINCSW) or QuickBooks Premier 2010 for Windows (ASIN: B002KINBYM ); (software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.)

In this course, yo will master all the steps for setting up your payroll system. You will learn how to access IRS information, create entries for new employees, and enter employee time and job cost data. And what about all those required forms and reports, from W-2s to Federal forms 940 and 941? No problem, theyre a cinch when you have the power of QuickBooks on your side. In addition, you will get troubleshooting tips and solutions for common problems and mistakes. Whether you are new to QuickBooks or want to expand your skills, this course will teach you time-saving techniques that will make performing payroll a breeze.