ronunes: Take an adult education course that teaches basic computer use and some popular applications. These courses are offered at high schools, colleges, and by community service groups. The cost is usually under a hundred dollars.

andreamer: Go to the libarary and see if they have any books on computers, like the "For Dummies" series. Often libraries will have computers you can use, too.

jeffmart: Talk to people in the kinds of positions you want and find out what kind of computer skills are important for that job. You don't want to spend time learning Quark Express for a Mac when you need to know Paradox for MS-Windows. Have a good knowledge of the computer platform that is most common in your field. Knowing how to use both MacOs and MS-Windows is a plus. Knowing the basics of other operating systems like Unix may also be helpful. Some employers want skills in certain kinds of programs and will train you to use their software. Others want someone who already knows how to use specific applications. Cheap access to computers:
Have a friend show you the basics on his computer.
"Free" University classes. These classes are taught for a small fee for no credit.
University computer labs. At my school the Macs and the PC's don't require a userid and password. Anyone off the street can use them if they don't draw attention to themselves.
Cheap access to software:
Look for a student or demo version.
Ask someone in the feild for some help.
Make an illegal copy. (At your own risk.)

eck Use the Net! Application software that you're likely to have to use in an entry level office position is all designed to be easy to learn. Get a head start by just taking a look at the software mentioned in some job postings and then using search services like Alta-Vista, or the Yahoo software index to quickly learn more than you'll need for the interview -- and then more than you'll need for the job!

thoreaud: Basic computer skills aren't that complicated (he says, the programmer), but ensuring you have the basic skills and re-applying them can go a long way. Besides, if you can use the internet, your skills can't be that low.

jchattin: Get a copy of Delphi 2.0 (32 bit programmer version) and several after market books and immerse yourself for a few months. This will give you skills in object oriented programming, SQL, and client-server software. I am presently doing the same thing. The web has a lot of Delphi areas.

MADMAC: Check out temp agencies... Some of the better ones will offer free computer training to their temps who are willing to learn... Good Luck!

Bluenose: I hate to confess this....but I once helped a friend register for one course at a local, fairly large university....and she went in every day to check the computer mainframe until her student account got set up. Then she promptly dropped the course for a full refund, but she still had an account for up to six months later. She learned lots of good stuff....

GolfGizmo: Find a meaningful relationship with someone who owns a computer.

billbeckhart: Do volunteer work at some local charities. They are often happy to teach you some skills if you do right by them. Getting training through temp agencies is a good idea. They often have tutorial programs to teach you Windows, Mac OS, and the popular word processing and spreadsheet programs.

armac542: Go to some chain computer store (Computer City, Incredible Universe), hire on part-time. They will teach you a little bit, you'll make some bucks, and you'll have access to continual flow of new stuff.