Technology Access Center

Open from 9 am - 9 pm Monday through Friday, and from 1-4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, the Technology Access Center provides members of the community with easy access to computers and the Internet, access which they might not otherwise have. Free for teens and children (with a relatively small fee of $1 per day for adults, though it is Plugged In's policy to never turn away anyone who cannot afford to pay for the services), the Center provides a wide assortment of computers and other high technology resources, including scanners, photocopiers, faxes, and color printing. In addition, a variety of software applications is available, ranging from productivity applications such as Microsoft Word 97 to Internet browsing software such as Netscape Communicator, as well as Web publishing software like Adobe Photoshop 4.0. Tutorial materials, both in print form or as software tutorials, are also available for those who want to learn how to use these applications.


The Center also provides a series of classes open to all community members as part of Plugged In's "Learning Through Technology" initiative. Specialized classes exist for both teens and adults, teaching subjects ranging from basic computing skills to computer programming. For example, "Spider Web" is a class geared for teenagers that introduces them to HTML programming and multimedia production. "Hacker's University" is another class for community teenagers that teaches them the basics of computer programming. A wide range of classes have also been designed for adults in mind. The "Introduction to Computers" class is intended to give adult students a better understanding of how computers work, what they can do, and what the Internet is. At the end of the course, the students are encouraged to make use of the resources available in the Center to type up letters or resumes, or simply to surf the Web.

The Center also offers many business support services for

the entrepreneurs in the community who may not otherwise be able to afford or have access to such services. These services include telephone and fax services, voicemail accounts, photocopying, stationary and desktop publishing, and color printing. And, in conjuction with Plugged In Enterprises, low-cost access to web and desktop publishing design and consultation services are available through the Center.

In addition, the Center serves as an employment and training ground for community youth. Young adults working with Plugged In Enterprises often start out as consultants in the Technology Access Center where they are exposed to high technology and trained in the use of all available services, including PC and Macintosh troubleshooting, word processing, and searching the Internet. Once trained, they gain valuable consulting experience by assisting other community members in using the many resources available at the Center.


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