Cynthia
Apple and Mac, iPhones, Photography, and Small Business Support
I tutor general computer skills - both Mac and Windows, although I specialize in Apple products. I also specialize in digital imaging, photography, Photoshop, and web design fundamentals (WordPress in particular). I am a good instructor for an older student as well as a person who wants to improve their skills but may be embarrassed to ask, since I have experience with the technophobic. I work with a lot of small, often women-owned businesses who want help with all aspects of running a busi...
Adobe Photoshop
desktop publishing
Dreamweaver
Working in the Dreamweaver environment can be challenging - it requires interests as diverse as a visual aesthetic, some graphic design background or knowledge, and a willingness to wear two hats at once - one to design graphically, and one to understand the conventions of html and css. I go over principles of each of these areas, plus go in-depth about the necessity of using proper html structure, writing css rules and the ever evolving conventions for designing scalable, responsive web sites.
general computer
HTML
I started creating web sites when HTML was the only language available (in those days, HTML was for making links in a body of text) and now use and teach Dreamweaver, Komodo, WordPress and the MAMP / WAMP / Apache server environment to create web sites. My contracts have included sites for artists, photographers, state and city governments and private concerns. Learning web design is a matter of understanding enough about how the code works in the background to be able to get the most out of a page creation program like Dreamweaver. I have tutored students taking undergraduate web design class at UMass and Bentley and the graduate web design class at BU.I also regularly work with small business owners who manage their own sites.
Macintosh
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Word
web design
I started creating web sites when HTML was the only language available (in those days, HTML was for making links in a body of text) and now use and teach Dreamweaver, Komodo, WordPress and the MAMP / WAMP / Apache server environment to create web sites. My contracts have included sites for artists, photographers, state and city governments and private concerns. Learning web design is a matter of understanding enough about how the code works in the background to be able to get the most out of a page creation program like Dreamweaver. I have tutored students taking the undergraduate web design class at Bentley and the graduate web design class at BU as well as small business owners who manage their own sites.
David R. from Cambridge, MA
Cynthia is a marvelous tutor-extremely knowledgeable, excellent at communication, prompt, friendly, businesslike. I have nothing but the best things to say about her.
Jody M. from Marblehead, MA
Cynthia is always able to give me the help I need, is available when I need her, and is knowledgeable, professional, pleasant, and cheerful to work with. I value her assistance and efforts.
Pei P. from Allston, MA
We had a course in Cynthia's place. I love the place. It's a very beautiful and comfortable meeting room. And Cynthia is so nice and teaches me a lot.
Patricia D. from Dedham, MA
My views of Cynthia are consistent. She has been patient, professional, and has a thorough understanding of the technology. She has helped me through many snags, has shown me shortcuts, and generally, our relationship is very good. In addition, she has made herself accessible in between sessions, which I have greatly appreciated.
Tim S. from Cambridge, MA
Cynthia goes above and beyond the call of duty and is able to make learning seem fun and effortless. I highly recommend her for students of all ages.
Janice G. from Lynn, MA
I found Cynthia to be very knowledgeable. She is very patient and will explain things to me several times if needed. I've been looking for someone to teach me how to use my iMac computer and wanted at home tutoring. I highly recommend your site and your tutor.
Gloria B. from Chestnut Hill, MA
Cynthia is THE perfect teacher, all the time. She is patient, kind, considerate, always on time, and great fun to be with!
Lynne R. from Norwood, MA
I am a senior citizen with little knowledge of anything to do with websites. I needed to update an existing website and was having difficulty figuring it out. Cynthia quickly understood the situation, gave me the basic instructions I needed to get started, and to my relief, also identified code problems within the site most likely caused by previous volunteer novices' attempts to update the site. She suggested a plan forward to fix the site and helped me learn what I needed to know. She cared about what I was attempting to accomplish and presented the information on a level I could understand and at a pace that fit my learning style. I am looking forward to our next session.
Robert R. from Westwood, MA
Cynthia has a wealth of knowledge regarding, among many other programs, Adobe Photoshop CC. Every moment is spent imparting this knowledge, and, at the same time, she is patient.
Debra K. from Jamaica Plain, MA
Instruction on windows 8 begun. Idiosyncrasies discussed and difficulties associated with having to use both touch screen and the mouse which is unavoidable. Homework given which shows the difference between windows 8 and xp. Good Lesson. More practice and instruction needed.
Leslie F. from Waban, MA
Cynthia was a terrific tutor. I needed help with photo related computer issues and we spent two very productive hours together accomplishing exactly what I needed to do. I'm looking forward to more tutoring time with her.
Stephanie D. from Winchester, MA
Cynthia A. is a great computer tutor! She is very knowledgeable and patient; never minds reviewing information! I enjoy my time with her very much. She is also very fun to be around, we always laugh about something. Our time together goes by so quickly, but we always accomplish so much.
Kelly K. from Avon, MA
I have been looking for someone like Cynthia forever. She has amazing patience. She let me set the pace and customize the agenda. I learned so much in the first hour. What more could I ask for? I can't wait until my next session, I wish it was today!
Patrice B. from Concord, MA
In only one session Cynthia helped to provide me with a comfort level when navigating Power Point and other basic computer skills.
Wendy F. from Quincy, MA
We worked with Dropbox, uploading and sharing photos and organizing files, branding, Firefox and Norton for new Surface tablet, etc.
Ben F. from Newton Lower Falls, MA
Cynthia know the ins-and-outs of Apple computers. She was able to work with me, installing necessary updates and gave me advice how to access necessary programs for my work. I highly recommend Cynthia's humanistic approach to tutoring.
Gabe W. from Marblehead, MA
I needed a crash course on how to format emails with links and PDF's in a very specific way that would work seamlessly with various media websites for a new job working as a media monitor for a PR firm. I'm on a very short deadline to master the process before the job starts. Not only has she provided me with all the information I have needed but she also made some fantastic suggestions that are streamlining the process even further. I can't recommend her enough!
Susan H. from Milton, MA
Cynthia was a great tutor. Very well informed and easy to talk to. Cynthia helped me go over WordPress and start the beginnings of my own site.
Frank C. from Arlington, MA
She obviously loves what she teaches, and it shows. I was struggling with Photoshop layers and tools, and she explained the majority of it in one hour.
Safiya A. from Cambridge, MA
I am happy with my tutor Cynthia. I learn a lot of things about photography and how to fix picture with Photoshop.
Denise M. from Allston, MA
She took me step-by-step through everything I wanted to know. I came out knowing a lot more. I will continue working with her.