All Things Apple! with Beryn Hammil

Posted by bonnie on 15 June 2021

If you are new to All Things Apple! and would like to get on the contact list for classes, please contact Librarian, Bonnie Groshong at: bonnie.groshong@cityofsanrafael.org

Instructor, Beryn Hammil, will email you a welcome packet that includes instructions for how to participate in the Zoom meeting. You must register in advance on Zoom each week for each class you want to attend. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing links to joining the meeting.

Class topics will be divided into Part 1 at 2pm and Part 2 at 4pm. You’re welcome to participate in any and all classes, and for some topics you’re encouraged to participate in both parts to maximize the learning experience of that subject.

Each topic will cover information for the Mac computer, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

These class topics were put together based on input from students, and while some of these topics have been taught recently, there’s always something new to learn in each. The content of each topic description will be adhered to, but discussion is not limited to just what’s presented in this schedule as one thing often leads to another.

Doors for each class will open 15 minutes prior to that class starting and we will start on time. When the class capacity of 100 participants is reached in the live Zoom room, those who get “locked out” will be able to view the class by live streaming it on YouTube. This is called the “Balcony Section.” Those who are registered to participate by half past the hour prior to class starting will receive an email with the link to the live stream. It will be sent out within 15 minutes of the class starting. If you’re viewing the class from the balcony you will not be able to raise your hand to ask questions but can nonetheless learn something new.

At the end of each class participants can stay for a Q&A session about that or any other topic. Because many people leave at the formal end of class, those who are watching the class from the balcony section will be able to join the live after-class Q&A to have their questions answered. Simply go back to the original link you received to the join the Zoom class and use that to get in.

A recap video of each class will be available so you can review material on YouTube, and you can build your own library of them, but you must participate in that class to receive access to it. Instructions for how to do this are given in the orientation email you received with your welcome packet as well as in the email for the live stream Zoom link sent out before each class starts.

Pre-registration is a requisite for each class, even if there are two on the same day. Invitations to register are sent out each THURSDAY morning for all of the following week’s classes, and you must register for each class separately.

Times shown for all classes is Pacific Time; please adjust accordingly for where you are.

If you know in advance that you have a specific question, please email it to me no later than 4:00 PM (PDT) the day before the class so I can prepare the answer.  

Apple’s major software update to iOS 15 and OS 12 (Monterey) for the Mac is guesstimated to happen some time in September, but the exact date is still unknown. If things go as usual, in early October I’ll be teaching the new operating systems. By then I’ll have had a chance to get to up to speed and Apple will have already worked out the initial bugs.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5^th

2:00 PM – CONTACTS

Learn how to:

• create a new contact
• add a photo to a person’s contact card
• make a person a VIP
• add someone as an emergency contact for SOS

4:00 PM – THE TELEPHONE PART OF YOUR iPHONE  

Learn how to:

• save contact information from a received call
• make calls not just from the Phone app, but from your Contacts app,
• respond to an incoming call with a message instead of taking the call,
• make international phone calls using FaceTime and 3rd party calling apps that use WiFi for calling to avoid costly international calling charges.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12^th

2:00 PM – APPLE PAY & THE WALLET APP

Learn how to;

• set up the Wallet app so you won’t fumble around at the checkout counter,
• set up your computer so online shopping is easier too,
• use 3^rd party payment apps like Venmo, Zelle and others.

4:00 PM – USEFUL FUNCTIONS

Learn how to:

• use Find My…
• use the QR code reader with your camera
• share stuff
• store your Covid vaccine card for easy retrieval

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19^TH – THE NOTES APP (my favorite)

2:00 PM – PART 1

Learn how to:

• create a note,
• organize your Notes with folders and sub-folders,
• format the text in your Note,
• share your Note with someone else. They can even work on that Note with you. Or not.

4:00 PM – PART 2

Learn how to

• scan a document into a note,
• add photos and web links from any of your devices,
• markup details,
• create charts and more.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26^th – TIPS & TRICKS and OPEN DISCUSSION

2:00 PM until ?

There will be only one class, starting at 2:00 PM (Pacific Time), and it will last for however long you want it to last.

There are always little tricks that make using your Apple products easier and niftier. We’ll start this class with a few of them and then move onto answering your questions as an “open discussion.” The contents of this segment of the class will be determined by whatever you want to learn and discuss, so have your questions ready…

If you know in advance that you have a specific question, please email it to me no later than 4:00 PM (PDT) the day before the class so I can prepare the answer.

If you have any comments, recommendations for future class topics or content, I welcome your feedback. Send them to beryn@me.com.