Alex Hedley
By Richard Rost
11 days ago
Free SQL, VB.NET, PowerShell, Github & More Tutorials
Let me ask you something... have you ever gone looking for PowerShell, GitHub, or VB.NET training on my channel and come up empty? Yeah... I really don't cover those topics. But today I want to introduce you to someone who's been filling in those gaps with a ton of great free content. My friend Alex Hedley, who I've known for over 15 years, has been putting together tutorials on all the stuff I don't cover, including things like SQL Server, PowerShell, VB.NET, Git, and even tools like Rubberduck for VBA developers, so if you're looking to expand your skills, this is exactly what you need.
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, PowerShell, GitHub, ModernVB.net, SQL Server, report builder, Power BI desktop, report server, Visual Basic, console input, dot net CLI, Visual Studio basics, Git, version control, branching, pull requests, Rubberduck VBA, VBA editor
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Intro Let me ask you something... have you ever gone looking for PowerShell, GitHub, or VB.NET training on my channel and come up empty? Yeah... that's by design. But today I want to introduce you to someone who's been filling in those gaps with a ton of great free content. My friend Alex Hedley, who I've known for over 15 years, has been putting together tutorials on all the stuff I don't cover, including things like SQL Server, PowerShell, VB.NET, Git, and even tools like Rubberduck for VBA developers, so if you're looking to expand your skills, this is exactly what you need.Transcript Hey folks, Richard Rost with Computer Learning Zone here. Quick question for you. Have you ever wanted to learn something like PowerShell, GitHub, or ModernVB.net, but you came to my channel and thought, Richard doesn't cover that stuff? Totally fair, guilty as charged.
Today I want to introduce you to someone who does. This is my good friend and colleague Alex Headley. I have known Alex for going on 16 years now. We go way back. He has helped me tremendously behind the scenes for years. He used to write handbooks for me. He has been very active in the forums, helping students, and I bounce ideas off him all the time. We pretty much talk every day and he is always sending me cool, interesting tech stuff, articles, and things I should look at.
I finally had the chance to meet him in person last year when I was over in the UK. He is just a solid guy. I am very happy that our paths crossed all those years ago.
Now, here is the cool part. Alex has been putting together his own full set of training content and he has been posting it both on his YouTube channel and on my website. He is doing all of this in his spare time just to help people learn free of charge. He is covering a lot of the stuff that either I have not gotten to yet or probably never will.
For example, SQL Server. He actually started putting out SQL TechHelp videos before I released my SQL Server course and he has content on things like installing the report builder, Power BI desktop, report server, and a lot of the deeper reporting stack that I may not get to for a while, if I ever cover it. So if you are digging into SQL Server and want more beyond what I have covered so far, definitely check out Alex's stuff.
Then there is VB.net. A lot of what Alex has done is take my old VB6 style concepts and bring them into modern VB.net. So if you want to learn a current supported version of Visual Basic, he has the full beginner courses plus TechHelp videos on things like console input, the dot net CLI, Visual Studio basics, all that good stuff.
He has also got a lot of PowerShell content, which I do not touch much. I have done a couple of PowerShell videos, but if you want to automate Windows, work with scripts, or manage systems, that is right up his alley.
Then there is Git and GitHub. Alex has been trying to get me into GitHub for years and I keep resisting. I have always been a solo developer and I have got my own backup system and workflow, and it works for me. I know I should learn it eventually. But if you are working in teams or you want proper version control, branching, pull requests, and all that stuff, Alex has a full beginner course that walks you through it step by step, and again, it is completely free. So even if I am stubborn about learning it, you probably should not be, so go learn it from him.
He has also got some tutorials on Rubberduck VBA, which is a really cool add-in for the VBA editor. Basically, it makes VBA feel a lot more like a modern development environment. Definitely worth checking out if you have never used it.
The bottom line is this. Alex is extremely knowledgeable and a great guy, and he has been a huge part of Computer Learning Zone. I absolutely attribute a lot of the success of my site to his help over the years. Now he is putting out a lot of great content for free.
I would really appreciate it if you go check him out. I will put links down below to his courses on my website and to his YouTube channel. Go watch a few videos, give them a like, subscribe to his channel, and show him some love. He has put a lot of work into this and he is not asking for anything in return.
Alright folks, that is it for today. Go check out Alex's stuff, live long and prosper, and I will see you in the next video.Quiz No quiz available.Summary Today I want to share something a bit different with you from Computer Learning Zone. If you have ever visited my channel looking to learn topics like PowerShell, GitHub, or modern VB.net, you have probably realized that I do not usually cover those subjects. It's true - those areas are outside of what I generally teach here.
However, I want to introduce you to someone who does cover those topics extensively: my good friend and long-time colleague, Alex Headley. I have known Alex for almost sixteen years. Over the years, he has contributed a great deal behind the scenes. He used to help me by writing handbooks, he is very active in the forums, assisting students, and we exchange ideas constantly. He is always keeping me up to date with fascinating tech articles and suggestions of new things to check out. We finally met in person last year in the UK, and I can say firsthand that he is just a genuinely great person. I feel very fortunate that our paths crossed so long ago.
Now, Alex has started producing his own training content, which he shares both on his YouTube channel and on my website. He creates all this material in his spare time simply to help others learn - and he does it all for free. He focuses on many of the areas that I have not gotten around to, and frankly, some I may never cover.
For instance, with SQL Server, Alex actually began making TechHelp videos on SQL before I released my own SQL Server course. He offers tutorials on installing report builder, Power BI Desktop, report server, and many aspects of the broader reporting stack. If you're interested in deeper or more advanced SQL Server topics than what I currently offer, you should give his content a look.
Alex has also done a lot with VB.net. He has taken many of my older VB6 concepts and updated them for modern VB.net. So if you want to learn a current, supported version of Visual Basic, he has beginner courses and TechHelp videos on everything from console input, .NET CLI, Visual Studio basics, and other essential topics.
He provides a wealth of PowerShell information as well, which I touch on only occasionally. If your interest is in automating Windows tasks, scripting, or managing systems, that's one of Alex's specialties.
Git and GitHub are another big area for Alex. He has been encouraging me to start using GitHub for years, but because I work solo and have my own backup methods, I have yet to dive in myself. Still, if you collaborate with teams or want to learn professional version control, branching, pull requests, and more, Alex has a full beginner course that guides you step by step. And like the rest of his content, it's completely free. Just because I have not adopted it yet, does not mean you shouldn't take advantage of the opportunity to learn it from him.
Alex also puts out tutorials on Rubberduck VBA, which is a fantastic add-in for the VBA editor. It transforms VBA into a much more modern development environment, so if you have never tried it, his videos will help you get started.
The main point I want to make is this: Alex is incredibly knowledgeable and has been a major contributor to Computer Learning Zone over the years. I credit much of my website's success to his efforts and support. Now, he is generously sharing his expertise with everyone at no cost.
I encourage you to check out his content. I will have links below to his course page on my website and to his YouTube channel. Take a few minutes to watch some of his videos, give them a like, subscribe to his channel, and show him some appreciation for all of the hard work he has put in.
That wraps it up for today. You can always find a complete video tutorial and step-by-step instructions for everything discussed here on my website at the link below.
Live long and prosper, my friends.Topic List This is a video message introducing and recommending the training resources and tutorials created by Alex Headley, highlighting the topics he covers such as SQL Server, VB.net, PowerShell, Git/GitHub, and Rubberduck VBA, and encouraging viewers to check out his free content.Article If you are interested in expanding your skills beyond the basics of Microsoft Access, VBA, or whatever else you have been learning so far, you might find yourself wanting to explore technologies like PowerShell, GitHub, or modern VB.net. Many people reach a point in their learning where these tools become useful, especially if they are looking to automate tasks, manage more complex databases, work in teams, or simply modernize their programming skills.
There is a wealth of free training available online, but finding reliable, well-explained resources can be a challenge. One resource I highly recommend is the work of Alex Headley, a long-time technology trainer and contributor to the Computer Learning Zone community. Alex brings a wide range of programming and IT topics to life, and he shares all of his knowledge for free both online and through courses hosted on Computer Learning Zone.
For example, if you are working with SQL Server or want to learn about Microsoft's reporting stack, Alex covers more than just the basics. He has tutorials that help you get started with SQL Server's TechHelp, install tools like Report Builder, Power BI Desktop, and Report Server, and he provides guidance on using some of the deeper reporting features that often are not found in introductory courses.
Those interested in modern Visual Basic programming will also benefit from his content. If you have experience with older VB6 code or are just starting out with Visual Basic, Alex has tutorials aimed at bringing those older concepts forward into the .NET world. You can find courses tailored to absolute beginners, as well as tutorials on working with the .NET command line interface (CLI), handling console input, and the basics of getting started with Visual Studio.
Automating tasks and managing computer systems is a common need, and this is where PowerShell becomes very handy. While some may have dabbled in PowerShell, Alex offers much more comprehensive coverage, explaining everything you need to know to get started with scripts, automate routine tasks, or manage different settings within Windows. Whether you're an IT professional or a hobbyist looking to save time, his PowerShell tutorials will show you how to make the most out of Windows automation.
Version control has become central to modern software development and even smaller automation projects. Git and platforms like GitHub are powerful tools for managing projects, keeping a history of changes, and collaborating with others. Even if you are a solo developer, learning to use Git can greatly improve your workflow. Alex offers a full beginner's course on using Git and GitHub, breaking down concepts like version control, branching, and pull requests in a way that is easy to follow. If you have ever hesitated due to complexity, his step-by-step approach will help you understand and make effective use of these tools.
There are also tutorials on using Rubberduck VBA, an advanced add-in for the VBA editor. If you spend a lot of time in VBA for Access or Excel, this tool can completely change your development experience, making the VBA editor behave much more like a modern programming environment. Rubberduck adds features such as code inspections, refactorings, unit testing, and more, making your coding more efficient and robust. If you are unfamiliar with it, Alex's guides will help you get up and running quickly.
Alex's teaching is clear, practical, and based on real-world experience. All of his courses and resources are available for free, and he is genuinely committed to helping people learn and grow in their understanding of technology. If you are ready to move beyond the basics or want to learn new skills like Git, PowerShell, SQL Server, or modern VB.net, I highly recommend checking out Alex Headley's content. You can find his tutorials on the Computer Learning Zone website and on his YouTube channel.
Take some time to explore these topics. As you increase your fluency with new tools and programming languages, you will find yourself more confident and capable of tackling any IT or programming challenge that comes your way. |
