Workshops
Upcoming NCF Workshops
Thanks to funding from the City of Ottawa’s Community Economic Development Program, we are pleased to offer a series of free workshops that help people learn how to save money online while staying safe and protecting their privacy, respecting copyright, and understanding the trade-offs involved with many free services. We are also producing a related handbook and will post the link here once it's done.
The workshops are being offered in partnership with Ottawa Public Library (OPL). Most of the workshops also offer opportunities for people to get help one-on-one help so please feel free to bring your laptops or other connected devices with you. That said, we can't help with any repairs. At this time, the workshops are only being offered in English. Here’s an overview:
Saving money on long-distance calling
Technology has made the world feel smaller: use the internet to connect with friends and family around Canada and the world for free or a fraction of traditional long distance rates! There's time for one-on-one digital support after the workshop so please bring your questions and feel free to also bring a connected device if you want specific help. That said, we can't help with any repairs.
Date: Monday, November 5th at 6:30pm
OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location
Location: Ottawa Public Library, Alta Vista
2516 Alta Vista
Ottawa, Ontario K1V 7T1
Public transit routes: 87,92,93
Finding free entertainment online while respecting copyright
Cut the cord and diversify your media diet! We help you find safe and free online video, audio, e-books and gaming content that don't break the law. There's time for one-on-one digital support after the workshop so please bring your questions and feel free to also bring a connected device if you want specific help. That said, we can't help with any repairs.
Date: Wednesday, November 14th at 6:30pm
OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location
Location: Ottawa Public Library, Elmvale Acres
1910 St-Laurent
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 1A4
Public transit routes: 40,48,86,106
Open Source options
At Open Source options, learn about free robust operating systems and free software that can work on your existing system. For those of you looking for free Windows alternatives. Or maybe you want to be able to edit photos, or audio, or video without breaking the bank. We show you options. There's time for one-on-one digital support after the workshop so please bring your questions and feel free to also bring a connected device if you want specific help. That said, we can't help with any repairs.
Date: Wednesday, November 28th at 6:30pm
OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location
Location: Ottawa Public Library, Orleans
1705 Orléans
Ottawa, Ontario K1C 4W2
Public transit routes: 34,134,634
What free really means: understanding the privacy and personal data you're trading to save money
Many of us use free online services for communication, fun and work. In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where the personal data of more than 87 million Facebook users was secretly searched and used for targeted political ads, this panel discussion will feature local experts explaining and debating the trade-offs. This isn't about scare tactics or telling you what not to do, it's about understanding what you really signed up for when you clicked accept on an agreement that was too long and complicated to read.
Date: Monday, December 3rd at 6:30pm
OPL Event Links: Event Page | Drop In Program| Location
Location: Ottawa Public Library, Main
120 Metcalfe
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5M2
Public transit routes:4,16,19,44,94,95,97,99
Finding and using online coupons, flyers, and promo codes!
This one speaks for itself: save money online by comparing prices, finding coupons for things you already buy, and sniffing out other online deals. No scissors required! There's time for one-on-one digital support after the workshop so please bring your questions and feel free to also bring a connected device if you want specific help. That said, we can't help with any repairs.
Date: Wednesday, December 5th at 6:30pm
OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location
Location: Ottawa Public Library, Carlingwood
281 Woodroffe
Ottawa, Ontario K2A 3W4
Public transit routes:11,16,87
Hands-on help to apply online for government subsidies: Ontario Electricity Support Program and the Canada Learning Bond
Are you living on a low income and pay your own hydro? You might be eligible for a rebate up to $75 a month! Do you live on a low to moderate income and have children? You might be eligible for up to $2000 per child for their post-secondary education! Find out more about these programs and apply online, with hands-on help. You'll need your latest Notice of Assessment from your taxes, your hydro bill, and the Social Insurance Numbers of everyone in your household.
Date: Wednesday, December 12th at 6:30pm
OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location
Location: Ottawa Public Library, Greenboro
363 Lorry Greenberg
Ottawa, Ontario K1T 3P8
Public transit routes:98,644,649
Past NCF Workshops
Saved with a Click
How to shop for internet and computers
Date: Monday, September 10th at 6:30pm
Saving money online starts with your internet connection and the computer or mobile device you want to connect. Megs vs gigs? Cable vs DSL? Ram vs processor? Desktop vs tablet? How do you buy what you need without getting oversold? Join us as we help you understand the basics.
Location: Ottawa Public Library, Nepean Centrepointe Branch
101 Centrepointe
Ottawa, Ontario K2G 5K7
613-580-2940 (Infoservice)
Public transit routes: 82,83,84,86,87,94,95,111,174
https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/branch/nepean-centrepointe
Free anti-virus and anti-malware programs and how to use them effectively
You don't need to buy a pricey software program to be safe, learn what's available and how best to use it.
Date: Wednesday, October 17th at 6:30pm
OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location
Location: Ottawa Public Library, Centennial Branch
3870 Old Richmond
Ottawa, Ontario K2H 5C4
Public transit routes: 88,9,256
Identifying spam, phishing emails and suspicious websites
Saving money online can mean using unfamiliar websites, signing up for email newsletters offering discounts, and entering contests. When is it real and when is it too good to be true? We'll teach you how to tell the difference. There's time for one-on-one digital support after the workshop so please bring your questions and feel free to also bring a connected device if you want specific help. That said, we can't help with any repairs.
Date: Tuesday, October 23rd at 6:30pm
OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location
Location: Ottawa Public Library, Centennial Branch
3870 Old Richmond
Ottawa, Ontario K2H 5C4
Public transit routes: 88,9,256
Internet Security Basics
At Internet Security Basics learn about using public wifi and other ways to feel safe online without spending a bundle. You're at a cafe or a public space and the free wifi login pops up: learn how to make sure your private information is safe, and other online security precautions you can take. There's time for one-on-one digital support after the workshop so please bring your questions and feel free to also bring a connected device if you want specific help. That said, we can't help with any repairs.
Date: RESCHEDULED, NEW DATE: Monday, October 29th at 6:30pm
OPL Event Links: Event Page | Register| Location
Location: Ottawa Public Library, Centennial Branch
3870 Old Richmond
Ottawa, Ontario K2H 5C4
Public transit routes: 88,9,256
Other Workshops
We started offering workshops in partnership with the Ottawa PC Users' Group (http://opcug.ca/public/home.htm) in 2015. They continue to offer many of these workshops at Ottawa Public Library locations around the city, check them out!
Then in 2016 and 2017, thanks to funding from the New Horizons for Seniors Program from Economic and Social Development Canada, we ran "WiseNet" a hands-on 16-workshop series targeting those 55 years and older. Thanks to Pinecrest-Queensway Employment Services Centre for use of their space.
We also offer occasional workshops by NCF staff and volunteers on areas of interest to NCF members, including copyright and maximizing wifi. Some examples of past workshops include:
Windows 10 — the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Windows 10 represents a considerable change from Windows 7 and an evolutionary refinement from Windows 8.1. Chris Taylor, President of the Ottawa PC Users™ Group, will talk about some of the important changes both visible and under the hood. If you find Windows 10 confusing, or just want to know more about what's hidden, this session is for you.
Computer Basics
This workshop includes content on the basics of your computer, from connecting your mouse and keyboard, to types of memory, installing a new program, creating short-cuts, to how to turn on your wi-fi, use a USB port and more!
Office suites/word processing
This workshop includes the basics on different office suites (MS Office vs. LibreOffice), how to start a document, save it, and retrieve it. As well as different file types, and how to change font size, page alignment, numbering, margins etc.
Basic internet/web browsing
This workshop includes an overview of different browsers, bookmarking, how to optimize your search results, and some basics on safe web-surfing.
Basics of computer and internet security
This workshop digs into malware, how to create strong passwords, how to set-up secure wi-fi, and anti-virus programs.
This workshop covers browser-based email vs using a mail client, IMAP vs POP, attaching documents and images, and a detailed exploration of spam/spoofing/phishing and how to avoid them.
Communications
This workshop includes an overview of Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephone services, as well as Skype and similar programs.