frequently asked questions
Does ComTutors have a list of courses?
No.
ComTutors has never had a fixed course.
Providing preset course structures and content that suit everyone is simply not possible.
We don't charge "course fees" either.
Have a look at all the reasons for having no fixed courses.
What can ComTutors teach?
All the commonly used software and operating systems, and some other things too.
Most things that we teach are listed on our Topics page.
Ask us if you need something that's not shown there.
Does ComTutors provide training at Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels?
Yes.
ComTutors can teach most commonly used applications and programs at any level from raw beginner to advanced.
We don't restrict training to any particular predefined set of skills.
And we don't restrict learning content to just one application in any session.
What prerequisites apply to ComTutors training?
None.
With ComTutors your training starts where you need it to.
Whether you need training in a range of applications or programs for a particular task or project, or just one, we can start by teaching any needed background skills first.
Then we build on those to bring skill levels to where you need them to be.
And, because we don't have any preset courses, there's no need to sit through anything that's not relevant before starting on the topics and functions that you need.
Does ComTutors have a preset training schedule?
No.
All ComTutors training is done at times to suit our customers.
We have never expected anyone to fit in with a preset training schedule, and we never will.
Can ComTutors provide training for urgent needs at short notice?
Yes.
More info here.
(But grab the phone now and call your local number below, while you're reading this.)
Can planned training content be interrupted to meet an urgent learning need?
Yes.
That's just one part of the flexibility of computer training from ComTutors.
For obvious reasons, as much of your training as possible should be done in the most logical sequence.
So, if possible, deal with the urgent need, then return to your planned training - or whatever restructured version of it applies as a result of the change.
Can training times be changed?
Yes.
With a bit of notice, you can change training times at no extra charge.
Does ComTutors teach in holiday periods?
Yes.
ComTutors offices are closed on Sundays and public holidays, but we're open for business on all other days.
We provide computer training right through the new year holiday period. For some people it's their best time of year to learn.
We can provide training on weekends and public holidays too.
Where are the ComTutors training rooms?
You can answer that one. Just write your address here:
____________________________________
If for any reason you can't learn at your own premises, we can teach at third party premises too.
Business and industry associations have meeting rooms that can be hired for training sessions. Some are set up with computers.
Learners who have laptop computers can easily take them, avoiding any risk of computers or software at training rooms being significantly different from their own.
Even public libraries can be good learning venues for people who do not yet have computers or can not get access to one at preferred learning and practice times. Some libraries have private study rooms.
Does ComTutors provide computers to use?
No.
Part of the benefit of our tuition is that you work on your own computer, or at least one which you will be using and practising on as you learn.
That way, you have easy access to your own files for learning and practice, and you don't need to copy them and carry them around.
And any settings that you customise in your own computer will stay with you.
Working on things between sessions is best done on your own computer too, rather than one that may be set up differently.
But even if you don't yet have computers to use, or if yours do not have all the software that you need, you can easily work around the problem.
And we can teach in third party premises if necessary.
We can recommend good suppliers and hirers of computer equipment.
Ask us if you're not sure about your particular situation.
Does ComTutors guarantee learning?
Yes.
The simple tuition method that ComTutors uses makes things easy for learners, yet is so effective that it makes even complex tasks seem easy.
That's partly why you get a double guarantee with ComTutors.
Can ComTutors guarantee that skills will be learned within a certain amount of time?
No.
The reality is that different people learn at different speeds.
Simply having information presented to you is not the same as having learned it.
If anyone ever tells you that you or anyone else will learn particular things within a preset time, ask what guarantee applies to that promise.
(You can guess the answer to that one.)
We can estimate how much time may be needed, but that's as far as it goes.
We never make any false promise that anyone will learn anything in a certain amount of time.
But, with good tuition structured to suit your needs, learning from ComTutors means that the time will be well used, and good solid learning will result.
If you try learning in a group of people who turn out to be slower learners than you, then you will soon get frustrated and bored as you wait for them.
None of those problems applies with ComTutors.
Does ComTutors teach people in groups?
Yes. Small groups.
Because we charge only per trainer hour, not per person taught, it can be a more cost effective way to learn.
But you need to be careful to avoid false economies. Grouping more people together will initially reduce your training fees, but will not necessarily cost you less overall.
If you overdo it, it may end up costing you more.
Having too many people in a group means that the process loses its personal tuition benefits and starts to become more like classroom lecturing.
See our advice on group training.
Does ComTutors teach in lecture room or classroom format?
No.
All ComTutors training is done in the most effective way we know - personal tuition.
We don't do it in any other way.
We won't do anything that we can't guarantee. That includes training in lecture format and in groups that are too large.
We don't use whiteboards or projectors either, so you don't need to pay us to provide such equipment, and we don't expect you to provide it.
Does ComTutors allow customers to sit courses again for free?
No.
What a pointless timewasting exercise that would be - sitting through all of the same material again, just for a refresher on the bits that you need.
You'd need to have loads of spare time and be a world champion masochist to regard that as a good productive way to spend your time and effort.
(Bring your knitting. And a good book to read. Or even a bad one. And paper to make aeroplanes. And a pillow.)
Even if we did run fixed courses at preset times, you'd need to schedule that specific time in your calendar, wait for the course to be run again then hope that you don't miss it because of illness or anything else.
Then there's the value of your time. If you need only an hour of topup training, but you need to sit through a half day or a full day of repeated course to get it, then even if you don't pay any more than the original fee it's not a cheap exercise.
And the repeat exercise costs you travel time again too, maybe including parking fees again.
We provide much better options than that.
Whatever course we have provided for you, you will never need to sit through the whole thing again.
With ComTutors, you can simply jump straight into the bits you need, when you need them. You can have whatever tuition you need to fill in gaps or top up your learning.
We simply arrange your trainer to return to teach what you need, when you need it.
Which cities does ComTutors teach in?
In alphabetical order - ComTutors provides computer training in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
We go to the outer metropolitan areas of all those cities, and beyond in some areas.
We're gradually extending our computer training to regional areas too.
Ask us about your particular location.
Does ComTutors provide learning certificates?
Yes, on request.
The effectiveness of our teaching methodology, our double guarantee and our reputation mean that our learning certificates really mean something.
More info here.
Does ComTutors sell gift vouchers for computer training?
Yes.
More info here.
Does ComTutors provide web based training over the internet?
No.
We’re "in person" tutors, not remote teachers.
We stick to the teaching method that we know is by far the most effective - and guaranteeable - personal tuition.
And we will never request or accept remote access to a customer's computer equipment.
Does ComTutors provide phone training support?
Rarely.
We do it only as topup training for people who have already had training from us and need just brief help with particular problems directly related to their training.
It's not a substitute for personal tuition.
Does ComTutors supply, repair or install equipment or software?
No.
We're teachers.
We teach use of computers and their software. We can teach you to make minor changes to program and operating system settings to make things run more smoothly. We can help you to install and remove software.
That's the limit of our work.
We're not equipment or software suppliers, repairers or installers.
We don't install or set up hardware.
We don't fix faults.
For obvious reasons, our trainers will not even touch your computer equipment.
With many computer related problems you can get free support from your product and service suppliers.
Can ComTutors recommend good people for those purposes?
Yes.
Based on our own experience, research and feedback from our customers, we keep a regularly updated list of good IT consultants, computer equipment repairers and suppliers, software suppliers and internet service providers in all areas where we teach.
We will be happy to refer you to some, at no charge to you. Just ask.
Got a question that's not answered here?
Give us a call on your local number below or email us at the address on our contacts page.
Why such a simple website?
Because it's easy to read and navigate, even on small mobile screens.
Our philosophy is that content is far more important than show. We're more interested in good clear useful content than in making a fancy or excessively colourful impression.
And our website will never distract or annoy you with things that flash at you, pop up or jump around.
You'll find plenty of useful information, hints, tips and even relevant articles here.
Rather than scatter bits of flashy stuff all over every page we've kept clutter to a minimum and made things easy to find.
Got a suggestion?
Do you have a bright idea about how we can do something better?
Maybe our website, or something related to our teaching.
We would be pleased to know your thoughts.
Give us a call on your local number below, or contact us via our form or email address.
Does ComTutors have a list of courses?
No.
ComTutors has never had a fixed course.
Providing preset course structures and content that suit everyone is simply not possible.
We don't charge "course fees" either.
Have a look at all the reasons for having no fixed courses.
What can ComTutors teach?
All the commonly used software and operating systems, and some other things too.
Most things that we teach are listed on our Topics page.
Ask us if you need something that's not shown there.
Does ComTutors provide training at Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels?
Yes.
ComTutors can teach most commonly used applications and programs at any level from raw beginner to advanced.
We don't restrict training to any particular predefined set of skills.
And we don't restrict learning content to just one application in any session.
What prerequisites apply to ComTutors training?
None.
With ComTutors your training starts where you need it to.
Whether you need training in a range of applications or programs for a particular task or project, or just one, we can start by teaching any needed background skills first.
Then we build on those to bring skill levels to where you need them to be.
And, because we don't have any preset courses, there's no need to sit through anything that's not relevant before starting on the topics and functions that you need.
Does ComTutors have a preset training schedule?
No.
All ComTutors training is done at times to suit our customers.
We have never expected anyone to fit in with a preset training schedule, and we never will.
Can ComTutors provide training for urgent needs at short notice?
Yes.
More info here.
(But grab the phone now and call your local number below, while you're reading this.)
Can planned training content be interrupted to meet an urgent learning need?
Yes.
That's just one part of the flexibility of computer training from ComTutors.
For obvious reasons, as much of your training as possible should be done in the most logical sequence.
So, if possible, deal with the urgent need, then return to your planned training - or whatever restructured version of it applies as a result of the change.
Can training times be changed?
Yes.
With a bit of notice, you can change training times at no extra charge.
Does ComTutors teach in holiday periods?
Yes.
ComTutors offices are closed on Sundays and public holidays, but we're open for business on all other days.
We provide computer training right through the new year holiday period. For some people it's their best time of year to learn.
We can provide training on weekends and public holidays too.
Where are the ComTutors training rooms?
You can answer that one. Just write your address here:
____________________________________
If for any reason you can't learn at your own premises, we can teach at third party premises too.
Business and industry associations have meeting rooms that can be hired for training sessions. Some are set up with computers.
Learners who have laptop computers can easily take them, avoiding any risk of computers or software at training rooms being significantly different from their own.
Even public libraries can be good learning venues for people who do not yet have computers or can not get access to one at preferred learning and practice times. Some libraries have private study rooms.
Does ComTutors provide computers to use?
No.
Part of the benefit of our tuition is that you work on your own computer, or at least one which you will be using and practising on as you learn.
That way, you have easy access to your own files for learning and practice, and you don't need to copy them and carry them around.
And any settings that you customise in your own computer will stay with you.
Working on things between sessions is best done on your own computer too, rather than one that may be set up differently.
But even if you don't yet have computers to use, or if yours do not have all the software that you need, you can easily work around the problem.
And we can teach in third party premises if necessary.
We can recommend good suppliers and hirers of computer equipment.
Ask us if you're not sure about your particular situation.
Does ComTutors guarantee learning?
Yes.
The simple tuition method that ComTutors uses makes things easy for learners, yet is so effective that it makes even complex tasks seem easy.
That's partly why you get a double guarantee with ComTutors.
Can ComTutors guarantee that skills will be learned within a certain amount of time?
No.
The reality is that different people learn at different speeds.
Simply having information presented to you is not the same as having learned it.
If anyone ever tells you that you or anyone else will learn particular things within a preset time, ask what guarantee applies to that promise.
(You can guess the answer to that one.)
We can estimate how much time may be needed, but that's as far as it goes.
We never make any false promise that anyone will learn anything in a certain amount of time.
But, with good tuition structured to suit your needs, learning from ComTutors means that the time will be well used, and good solid learning will result.
If you try learning in a group of people who turn out to be slower learners than you, then you will soon get frustrated and bored as you wait for them.
None of those problems applies with ComTutors.
Does ComTutors teach people in groups?
Yes. Small groups.
Because we charge only per trainer hour, not per person taught, it can be a more cost effective way to learn.
But you need to be careful to avoid false economies. Grouping more people together will initially reduce your training fees, but will not necessarily cost you less overall.
If you overdo it, it may end up costing you more.
Having too many people in a group means that the process loses its personal tuition benefits and starts to become more like classroom lecturing.
See our advice on group training.
Does ComTutors teach in lecture room or classroom format?
No.
All ComTutors training is done in the most effective way we know - personal tuition.
We don't do it in any other way.
We won't do anything that we can't guarantee. That includes training in lecture format and in groups that are too large.
We don't use whiteboards or projectors either, so you don't need to pay us to provide such equipment, and we don't expect you to provide it.
Does ComTutors allow customers to sit courses again for free?
No.
What a pointless timewasting exercise that would be - sitting through all of the same material again, just for a refresher on the bits that you need.
You'd need to have loads of spare time and be a world champion masochist to regard that as a good productive way to spend your time and effort.
(Bring your knitting. And a good book to read. Or even a bad one. And paper to make aeroplanes. And a pillow.)
Even if we did run fixed courses at preset times, you'd need to schedule that specific time in your calendar, wait for the course to be run again then hope that you don't miss it because of illness or anything else.
Then there's the value of your time. If you need only an hour of topup training, but you need to sit through a half day or a full day of repeated course to get it, then even if you don't pay any more than the original fee it's not a cheap exercise.
And the repeat exercise costs you travel time again too, maybe including parking fees again.
We provide much better options than that.
Whatever course we have provided for you, you will never need to sit through the whole thing again.
With ComTutors, you can simply jump straight into the bits you need, when you need them. You can have whatever tuition you need to fill in gaps or top up your learning.
We simply arrange your trainer to return to teach what you need, when you need it.
Which cities does ComTutors teach in?
In alphabetical order - ComTutors provides computer training in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
We go to the outer metropolitan areas of all those cities, and beyond in some areas.
We're gradually extending our computer training to regional areas too.
Ask us about your particular location.
Does ComTutors provide learning certificates?
Yes, on request.
The effectiveness of our teaching methodology, our double guarantee and our reputation mean that our learning certificates really mean something.
More info here.
Does ComTutors sell gift vouchers for computer training?
Yes.
More info here.
Does ComTutors provide web based training over the internet?
No.
We’re "in person" tutors, not remote teachers.
We stick to the teaching method that we know is by far the most effective - and guaranteeable - personal tuition.
And we will never request or accept remote access to a customer's computer equipment.
Does ComTutors provide phone training support?
Rarely.
We do it only as topup training for people who have already had training from us and need just brief help with particular problems directly related to their training.
It's not a substitute for personal tuition.
Does ComTutors supply, repair or install equipment or software?
No.
We're teachers.
We teach use of computers and their software. We can teach you to make minor changes to program and operating system settings to make things run more smoothly. We can help you to install and remove software.
That's the limit of our work.
We're not equipment or software suppliers, repairers or installers.
We don't install or set up hardware.
We don't fix faults.
For obvious reasons, our trainers will not even touch your computer equipment.
With many computer related problems you can get free support from your product and service suppliers.
Can ComTutors recommend good people for those purposes?
Yes.
Based on our own experience, research and feedback from our customers, we keep a regularly updated list of good IT consultants, computer equipment repairers and suppliers, software suppliers and internet service providers in all areas where we teach.
We will be happy to refer you to some, at no charge to you. Just ask.
Got a question that's not answered here?
Give us a call on your local number below or email us at the address on our contacts page.
Why such a simple website?
Because it's easy to read and navigate, even on small mobile screens.
Our philosophy is that content is far more important than show. We're more interested in good clear useful content than in making a fancy or excessively colourful impression.
And our website will never distract or annoy you with things that flash at you, pop up or jump around.
You'll find plenty of useful information, hints, tips and even relevant articles here.
Rather than scatter bits of flashy stuff all over every page we've kept clutter to a minimum and made things easy to find.
Got a suggestion?
Do you have a bright idea about how we can do something better?
Maybe our website, or something related to our teaching.
We would be pleased to know your thoughts.
Give us a call on your local number below, or contact us via our form or email address.