Cathy Hamilton

I bristle at the word 'senior.' Even if I were ten, fifteen years older than my youthful 53 years, I'd still hate it. But, annoying nomenclature aside, I know a great idea when I see one, and Computer School for Seniors is a great idea.

In the site's own words, www.cs4seniors.com offers "online computer and Internet instruction for Baby Boomers, Senior Citizens or anyone who wants to gain more enjoyment from their computer and the Internet.

Learn from home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."

Now, I consider myself a Web- and tech-savyy Baby Boomer. I manage a blog, know a wee bit of html code, maintain a Facebook page... heck, I can even crop pictures on Photoshop and edit an iMovie. But there's a ton of stuff I still don't know, and a tour of the CS4S online "campus" reminds me how much I have yet to learn. 

For an incredibly affordable fee - six months for $36 or a full year's tuition for $58 - enrolled students can help themselves to any of the dozens of lessons available on the site. Subject matter ranges from the very basic (using a mouse, playing Solitaire, writing and saving a letter) to the more specialized or advanced (photo restoration, PowerPoint razzle-dazzle, creating a blog). There's even a Campus Kitchen with recipes and links to popular cooking sites, a Financial Services Center and travel section.

If you've resolved to expand your virtual horizons this year, check it out.