Lecture Week 9 - teach yourself software

This weeks lecture was all about the various (and apparently easy) ways you can teach yourself how to use software. I was happy to see that my theory of just fiddling around until you can get it to work is actually a valid way to learn!

Jason did have some more specific tips though;

• First of all, figure out what you need to do.
• You will probably end up changing your mind on what you need to do several times, this is ok.
• You can't learn advanced software in a few days, but you can learn to do something!
• Fiddle around and play with the program. Do something, anything!
• Save your work religiously. Save it in different formats, on a USB, on the hard drive, on the internet, email it to yourself. And save it often!!!
• Try the help file (although they are often not very helpful...)
• Screw the help file and search your question online instead. Some nerd will probably have already figured out the answer for you.
  
• Join forums and ask questions - more places to find friendly, helpful nerds.
• Tutorial books and videos can actually be helpful (unlike the help option...)
• Don't take a course to learn how to use the software, they will just make you do the above anyway!
• Don't get too cocky, a soon as you master the software, a new version or package will come along that you will be a novice at again. You need to constantly keep updating your skills.
  

So I'm off to teach myself how to become a pro at Photoshop! Wish me luck!