Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
- How does the game work?
- I heard Computer Basics was designed for Windows XP users. I'm a MAC user. Will this game still be useful for me?
- Can I really learn computer skills from a board game?
- Will this game make me proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel?
- Will I become proficient with computers after playing this game once?
- Is there any reference material to go along with this game?
- Is it true that Computer Basics is made in the USA?
- How does the game work?
You roll a die, put a place holder on a square, answer questions from different categories, and if you answer the question correctly you get to move your pawn. The first person to get their pawn to the finish line is the winner. Click here to see a more detailed explanation with pictures.
- I heard Computer Basics was designed for Windows XP users. I'm a MAC user. Will this game still be useful for me?
Yes. Although many of the questions and explanations were designed with respect to Windows XP, most of the core concepts apply to all computers.
- Can I really learn computer skills from a board game?
Definitely. Have you ever learned anything about computers from a book? Think of a board game as an interactive book that's been broken up into small, easily digestable pieces of information for your brain. And it's fun!
- Will this game make me proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel?
Computer Basics is designed to teach the fundamentals of using a computer. It does not go into detail on using applications like Microsoft Word and Excel. However, it will help you become proficient enough with a computer so that when you decide to learn Microsoft Word or Excel you'll have a good foundation of general computing skills to build on.
- Will I become proficient with computers after playing this game once?
- Repetition is the mother of mastery. Computer Basics was designed with this philosophy in mind. The more you play, the more knowledgable you'll become.
- Is there any reference material to go along with this game?
- Many of the questions have explanations to help you further understand a particular concept. In addition to these explanations you could also use your computer as a reference. Computer technology is too broad and changing too rapidly to create a game that is all inclusive. However, there are many good resources on the Internet to answer questions (such as www.howstuffworks.com) you might have about a particular topic. When in doubt, google it (this means go to www.google.com and do a search).
- Is it true that Computer Basics is made in the USA?
- Yes. The owners of Shortcut 2 Learning went to great lengths to ensure Computer Basics was made in the USA.