Here at Computer Learning Zone, I have several different types of Memberships available, based on what you are interested in, and your learning needs. Here is a brief summary of what each one entails. Click on the links provided for more information on any of them.
New Video
I have a new video that explains a lot of the different membership options, perks, and commonly asked questions. Watch it here: Memberships Explained
Membership Not Required
One of the most common questions I get asked is, "do I need to be a member to buy your lessons?" No. You do not need to purchase a membership. You are perfectly free to buy whichever course lessons, seminars, or templates you want individually from my Order page. Members, however, do receive a discount of up to 50% off. Plus, TechHelp membership is the only way to get my Extended Cut videos and Code Vault.
50% Discount
One of the most common questions I get asked is, "what membership do I need in order to get the 50% discount when purchasing lessons, seminars, etc." There are three different types of memberships that will give you the max discount of 50%. Those are the Learning Connection, TechHelp Platinum, or MYOLP Developer. See below for details on each.
The Learning Connection is my most popular membership option. If you want to learn any of my topics (Word, Excel, Access, etc.) you start at the beginning. You get Level 1 for free. Level 2 is just $1. After that, you get one lesson per week at a 50% discount. You can find pricing for each course on my Order Form. Beginner 3, for example, is $5.99, so you would pay $3. They get a little more expensive as you go up in levels.
You can increase or decrease the frequency if you like. You have to take the courses in order, but if you do wish to purchase anything else, you get a 50% discount as long as you're a member. You get access to new courses before they're officially released and can participate with them while they're in progress. There is no cost to join, you just agree to have courses automatically delivered and charged to your credit card.
This is my newest offering. For the past year I have been posting almost-daily TechHelp videos which are short question & answer lessons on a variety of random topics. There are over 100 of them now, most of which have Extended Cut videos just for TechHelp Members. There are multiple levels of membership, each with it's own perks. Silver members get access to the Extended Cut videos in which I go into a lot more detail about the day's topic. Gold membership gets you that plus you can download the databases I build in the Extended Cuts and you get access to the Code Vault. Platinum members get access to all of the above plus all of my Beginner lessons on the web site. Click here for a complete list of Member Perks.
MYOLP is the membership option for someone who wants the ability to watch whatever they want, whenever they want to. Instead of getting a new class once a week, you can jump around as you desire. It's my "all you can eat" option. There are four levels: Beginner, Expert, Developer, and Developer Plus! You can access all of the material at your level for all topics. Upgrade when you're ready. The new Developer Plus! membership gives you access to everything that I produce, including all of the other memberships listed on this page.
Which Membership is Right for Me?
I get asked this a lot. If you are NEW to the topic (Access, Excel, Word, or whatever you're learning). I recommend start with the Learning Connection. My regular courses (Beginner, Expert, etc.) are structured so that you watch them one after the other, in series. You learn topics in the order with which, in my expert opinion, I feel you should, and get a solid education. This is akin to taking a traditional college course. Start with the basics, and move up through the levels. You get one new course each week (or at whatever speed you decide) at a 50% discount
The MYOLP membership, on the other hand, also gives you access to my full courses, but you can watch whatever you want, whenever you want. You can "bounce around" so to say. Choose this if you already know the topic and you want to be able to pick and choose the lessons you want any particular day. With MYOLP you only have access to the courses while you remain a member, whereas with the Learning Connection, the courses are yours indefinitely with no time limit.
The TechHelp is more of a supplemental continuing learning for people who are already familiar with the topic. The videos just cover whatever random topic I feel like covering that day. It could be combo boxes today and queries tomorrow. It's based on the questions that I get from my students. But, these also tend to be questions that aren't covered in the regular lessons. Either I didn't think of them at the time, they explain a unique situation or problem, or it's something that doesn't fit with the "normal" topic material. TechHelp tends to be geared towards intermediate to advanced Access users who already know the basics. I cover simple stuff in most "free" videos, and then the more advanced stuff (VBA, etc.) goes in the Extended Cut. You do get some free regular courses as part of your membership too.
If You're Just Starting Out
If you're just starting out learning Access, join the Learning Connection or MYOLP and take the Beginner and Expert courses first, in order. Don't skip levels. This is the best way to learn for new students.
My full course is designed to walk you through everything step-by-step, in order, so you build your skills from the ground up. The TechHelp videos, on the other hand, are more of a grab-bag Q&A style where I tackle specific student questions on a wide range of topics, usually aimed at people who already have a good grasp on Access and need guidance with more advanced or tricky scenarios. Think of the regular courses as your foundation and the TechHelp videos as a library of extras that fill in gaps or cover edge cases.
So for new users, I suggest you start with the Learning Connection. You can set your delivery pace to one class a week or one per month - whatever fits your schedule. Work through the Beginner series first, then move to the Expert levels. Once you're comfortable with that material, then you can consider the TechHelp videos, especially if you spot topics that really catch your eye.
Most of the TechHelp content is recorded at a Developer level of understanding with at least some VBA involved. This is where a lot of those videos really shine, so you'll get the most value there after mastering the core material first.
If you had to pick just one to start, I'd say go with the Learning Connection, finish out the Beginner and Expert series, and then look to the TechHelp videos and extended cuts when you're tackling more advanced projects.
Decision Tree
- Do you want unrestricted access to all of my courses so you can jump around between levels as desired?
- Yes: MYOLP gives you all courses in your chosen level (Beginner, Expert, Developer)
- No: Learning Connection gives you a new class each week, in order of level (1, 2, 3, etc.)
- Do you want to watch my Extended Cut TechHelp videos?
- Yes: Silver is just fine for you. You'll also get a free Beginner class each month, in order.
- No: You do not need a TechHelp membership.
- Do you want access to my Code Vault and to download the databases I build in the TechHelp videos?
- Yes: Upgrade to a Gold membership. You'll also get a free Expert class each month, in order, after you finish the Beginner lessons.
- No: Stick with Silver then.
- Are you a Gold member who has finished all the Expert courses and want to get the free Advanced and Developer monthly lessons?
- Yes: Upgrade to Platinum.
- No: Stay at Gold level then.
Regular Courses Not Included
Your Silver, Gold, or Platinum membership does not entitle you to all of my regular courses, seminars, or templates. You do get one free class each month, in order, depending on your membership level. See the Perks page and the Free Courses for Members page for details.
For Beginners...
If you are new to Access (or any other program) the TechHelp videos are not the best way to learn for beginners. TechHelp is basically a Q&A series. I answer whatever questions come in from my students in whatever random order I happen to choose. It's not a format that is condusive to learning if you're new to Access. If you are somewhat experienced with Access and want to learn new tips and tricks, then this is a great "almost-daily" video blog to teach you some new stuff. If you're a Beginner, you should stick to my Beginner lessons, then move up to the Expert lessons and perhaps then start watching the TechHelp videos. I recommend my Learning Connection membership for new users to Access.
Technical Support Not Provided
Signing up for a Membership of any kind gives you access to specific perks as listed. If you have questions about the material covered in a specific course, feel free to post them in the Student Forum for that course. If you have other non-related questions you would like to submit to be considered for a TechHelp video, you will be given priority consideration over non-members, however an answer is not in any way guaranteed. Even in the event your question is accepted, the waiting list is generally several weeks long. I will answer your question if I think it makes for a good video. Otherwise, I will do my best to point you to another video (free or paid) that may answer your question.
Membership does NOT include free technical support for your database problems. I do my best to answer questions for my students as I have time, however it is never guaranteed. I no longer provide technical support or one-on-one consulting. If you are looking for someone to help you with your database, whether it needs troubleshooting or you want someone to add something to it for you, check out my Access Developer Network. I've got a group of very knowledgeable Developers who are available to help you.
TechHelp is for generic questions that I can make videos to answer for lots of people to enjoy. "How do I...?" type questions. It's not to get support for your database issues. Sorry. There are only so many hours in the day, and I can't help everyone myself. While I love to get your questions, and I'll answer them if I have time, technical support is not guaranteed. You're better off posting in the Forums, and even then, a response is not guaranteed.
