Computer programs are evolving at such a rapid rate these days that it is hard for even those with experience to keep up with the changes.
One way that people can develop their computer skills is completely free and available at the Cariboo Regional District, Williams Lake Library.
Computers are valuable communication tools even for businesses where the connection might not be that obvious.
John Young, of Young’s Performance Horses at Big Lake, raises, trains, and sells cow-bred quarter horses for cutting horse competitions, ranch work, and people who are just looking for a good horse to ride.
He is currently raising and training 18 horses, who will find homes like others he has raised in various parts of Canada, the U.S. and even Europe.
For a few years now, Young has used his desktop computer for the business side of his work.
At the touch of his fingers he can find information on the latest regulations regarding selling and transporting his horses nationally and internationally, learn where in the world people may be looking for the horses he raises, keep up on pricing trends, communicate with customers, and complete business forms.
“It’s a good way to keep your finger on the pulse of what buyers are looking for,” Young says. “It’s very handy especially in smaller towns such as Williams Lake.”
About a year ago Young purchased a new laptop computer with Windows 10, but needed a little help learning the new program.
He found that help available at the Williams Lake Library, where computer tutoring is offered completely free by the Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy volunteers.
In his former career, Young says he worked with airlines to arrange the shipment of horses to international destinations such as Germany, a job that involved a lot of careful planning, red tape and paper work.
“Today I can arrange to ship a horse right from this computer,” Young says, tapping the library table.
“You can easily look up the regulations on line, so there are no surprises when you arrange transportation. You can put a horse on an airplane and fly it to Europe if you want too.”
He is thrilled with the help he has been receiving from the PAL volunteers to help him put his new laptop to work.
“These ladies are helping me to connect all the dots and are doing a great job of it,” Young says. “More people should take advantage of the program.”
Emma Binette has also been attending the computer classes at the library off and on for the past two years and expresses her support for the program.
“A fear is a fear, from the unknown of understanding any new gadgets like a tablet, a computer, or a new cell phone,” Binette says.
“But to surpass that fear is like opening new cells in our brains. Hooray for me.”
PAL holds free computer classes every Thursday morning at the Cariboo Regional District Williams Lake Library.
For more information about the program drop by the library Thursday mornings or contact Janette Moller at 250-392-7833 or Claire Schreiner at 250-398-4173.