Recommendations for free online software training?

[Callisto]

Trying to be semi-productive despite being unemployed as of recent, and spending time learning new technical stuff. I've been working through the beginner programming course on the MIT OCW site, but I was also trying to see if anyone could recommend something for learning specific software for work usage, at the moment mainly QuickBooks and PowerPoint.

I found a bunch of things via Google but a lot of them look kinda shady and I was hoping someone might know somewhere reputable that I can check out.

[Caiyuo]

When I'm looking for stuff like this I really like to use this site to find what people are using collectively for these kinds of solutions: http://www.xmarks.com/topic/online_training

Lynda is the very first and is the first one that came to mind given I think it's exactly what you're looking for but is also both really popular and has a great reputation.

It isn't free, but you'll find plenty of the lessons posted online, with iptorrents having them as well. I thought they did a per-lesson sales model but it looks like they're using a monthly subscription model that just gives you access to everything the same way subscriptions for music download services work so it certainly seems like it'd be a worthwhile investment later on if you decided you wanted to do more with this. Outside of that check the link to see what else you can find.

[Bloodfire]

imo, if you have the aptitude and capacity to do it, I would self teach myself those programs. Now I'm sure there are free lessons online somewhere, but the time you spend scouring the internet for a good one, you can start up the software on your PC and play around with everything. I don't know which version of PowerPoint you have but if there something I don't understand I consult the help file associated with PowerPoint, or I just Google the issue I have. I don't know anything about Quick Books other than it's a bookkeeping/accounting software. Though I would do the same thing.

Just think of a scenario where you would need to use said software and try to create some kind mock project and see what happens.

For the sake of the topic though here you go:

http://www.fgcu.edu/support/office2007/ppt/index.asp

http://www.learnthat.com/catalog/6/quickbooks/

Also, do youtube searches for PowerPoint, Quickbook, or whatever software your using tutorials, you'd be amazed at what you can find.

If you'd like I can provide practice tests for A+ certification. These practice tests are good for at least the next 6 months, but you need to PM me for that info.

[Bloodfire]

I feel I should mention this. If you can find someone you know with an .edu email or you yourself have one, then go to https://www.dreamspark.com/Default.aspx

This site from Microsoft has cool stuff like Visual Studio 2010, Microsoft Mathematics, Server 2008 all free if you have that .edu email

Check it out, you might find something that interests you.