Frequently Asked Questions...
Curiosity Quest is always here to answer your questions and provide the help you need. You can reach us via e-mail or by telephone at 925-824-3122. Below, we have listed answers to questions we frequently receive. We hope you find these helpful, but feel free to contact us anytime. We are always pleased to hear from you!

REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
I hear a voice when I try to fax, what's up? Well, the toll-free fax number we use doubles as a voice message number that we don't use. So what happens is that when you fax, you may hear a voice answer... but behind the scenes, the line is listening carefully for fax machine sounds. If your fax machine beeps at it a couple of times, the line will answer the fax and all will be good.

The voice is driving me bonkers...do you have an alternate fax number for me? YES! You can definitely try the fax number in our contact information. This works very well for folks who have dificulty with the toll-free line. However, this is also a multi-purpose line that uses a communications switch. It also tries to recognize your fax by its noises, and it can be difficult for a limited number of fax machines to get through. If you try this line and still have trouble, give us a call at the phone number in our contact information, tell us your troubles, and ask the receptionist for another fax line to try.

I've faxed in my form, but haven't received any confirmation. Am I registered? NO! Thank you! Excellent question. If you haven't received a registration confirmation from us via e-mail, fax or mail, you are NOT registered for class, and we do not know you are coming. Chances are that your registration form didn't reach us. We typically respond within 24 hours of receiving a registration form... so if you didn't hear from us, something went terribly wrong. Please contact us immediately at 925-824-3122 so we can get everything back on track for class.

Will Curiosity Quest have online registration anytime soon? YES! We are totally working on our online registration system. We want it to be very secure, super easy to use and very accurate. It is taking some time, but we are testing a variety of options. I would estimate that it would be up and running within the next six months (by early 2007).

PUBLIC COURSE QUESTIONS

Are the classes hands-on? YES! You bet! They are 100% hands-on and designed to let you learn by doing in a very concrete way. We hold class in a computer room where we install the software and law enforcement data to make it real.

Do I need to bring a computer? NO! We got ya covered. If you would like to bring a computer to show the instructor something that has been going wrong, you may choose to bring it along... otherwise, save the weight, relax and enjoy!

Where can I find complete course descriptions? You can find course descriptons on the web. Here are the links:
Microsoft Access Database Development for Crime Analysis
Adobe Photoshop for Law Enforcement
GIS: A Beginning Course for Crime Analysis
GIS as an Analytical Tool for Crime Analysis
ArcView Spatial Analyst for Crime Analysis
Crystal Reports for Law Enforcement Master's Series
Crystal Reports for Law Enforcement - Level 1
Crystal Reports for Law Enforcement - Level 2
Crystal Reports for Law Enforcement - Advanced Topics
GIS for Law Enforcement Master's Series
GIS: Software, Data & Decision-making
GIS: Geocoding-Address Matching to Points, Lines and Polygons
GIS: Basic Mapping & Analysis
GIS: Advanced Analysis
GIS: Cartography and the Layout View

When will you be back in my area? In addition to visiting new locations, we love to revisit our old haunts. See the When In My City? page for more information.

Why haven't I received a registration confirmation packet with the class location? Thank you! Excellent question. If you haven't received a registration confirmation from us via e-mail, fax or mail, you are NOT registered for class, and we do not know you are coming. Chances are that your registration form didn't reach us. We typically respond within 24 hours of receiving a registration form... so if you didn't hear from us, something went terribly wrong. Please contact us immediately at 925-824-3122 so we can get everything back on track for class.

Where will my class be located? You will receive your class location information with directions and maps in your registration confirmation packet. However, it is often helpful to know these things in advance. For this reason, we have made the location information available on our website address page. Each address is followed with a directions link that lists hotels, maps, emergency information, etc. If you have any further questions about the class location or if you didn't receive a confirmation, please contact us.

How are your classes different? We have adapted technology training for law enforcement purposes to help you make the most of your technology tools. We use all law enforcement data and examples and incorporate memory devices to help you retain what you've learned even if you don't use these tools every day. We do everything we can to make this training affordable and we still donate 10% of profits to cancer research.

PRIVATE TRAINING QUESTIONS
What exactly does private training mean? Private training means that you have us all to yourself. We will train up to 16 of your people at your site on the topics that you need using your data for examples. You pick the topics from our list or create new ones and provide us with any data you'd like us to use for examples. Everything is included and there are no surprises.

What does customization mean? When we do private training, we customize the courses by creating special books that contain the chapters you choose and by creating custom examples using your data. This helps you make the most of your training time by focusing only on what is needed and helps the participants by letting them use the software with familiar data.

Do we get books or manuals? YES! We create customized books just for your private class that contain the topics you choose. These training manuals explain the topics visually to help participants make the most of the software later.

What if we don't want to use our own data? Not a problem. If you would like to avoid submitting your data for the examples, we can use the examples already prepared for the traditional class. Participants would be welcome to discuss issues particular to their data situation during class.

Do we need a computer classroom? No and Yes. No, it doesn't have to be a classroom setting, but yes, we do need for you to have a room with computers that we can use for class. Some agencies have set up a new shipment of computers in an assembly room. Others have moved some PCs into a conference room. We ask only that there is a room with computers, a projector, something to project onto, and something to write on (white board, flip chart, etc.).

What do we need to provide in the computer room? We ask that the room contain student computers, a projector, something to project onto, something to write on (white board, flip chart, etc.), and space for the instructor's materials (table or podium). We can either use your instructor PC (if available) or bring an instructor laptop. You may also provide snacks or refreshments if they are permitted. Snacks are always good for the soul.

HOSTED TRAINING QUESTIONS
Is there any financial obligation? What does it cost? No, there is no financial obligation associated with hosting. The host receives one free training slot for each paid registration. If the host would like additional slots, the host can choose to purchase those at half price.

What do we need to do to host? First, contact us and let us know that you are interested. We will talk about the courses and potential dates. We will send you hosting guidelines and a hosting agreement. The agreement is a good-faith document in which we both pledge to do everything we can to make this the best class ever. When it gets close to class time, we will ship software with installation instructions. We may also ship books and materials at this time. We would ask to meet you at your computer room an hour and a half before class starts on the first day to check the installation and load the student data.

How far in advance do we need to book a class? The earlier the better for getting the word out. We usually recommend three to six months, but we have had some success with shorter durations when the agency was well connected in their area.

Can we host several classes? Yes! Some agencies find it helpful to host several classes at once. Others like to plan to host several but space them out.

Can a region or professional association host? Yes! We are all in favor of a regional group of agencies or a professional association hosting classes. Because of the nature of this kind of hosting, we endorse reducing the tuition to half-price for all members of the region or association. This is extremely awesome way to increase membership.

SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM QUESTIONS
What does it cost to sponsor? Nothing. Sponsorship is free. The program entails sending an e-mail class announcement to your membership list with a cc to our IBCurious e-mail address. Members then write the association name on the registration form and receive a 10% discount.

What are the responsibilities of a sponsor? The sponsor sends an e-mail class announcement to its membership list with a cc to our IBCurious e-mail address. Members of the sponsoring group receive a 10% discount.

What are the benefits of sponsorship? Sponsor members get a 10% discount and the sponsoring group often sees an increase in membership because joining the association saves money on the training. It is a great membership drive!

CONSULTING QUESTIONS
Can you fix or enhance the Crystal Reports we have? Yes. We can fix the reports for you through our Crystal Reports development service or we can answer questions and support you through our Support Services program. Either way, we can help you get the information you need from your CAD, RMS and other databases.

Can you create new Crystal Reports for us? Yes. We can create custom reports for your CAD, RMS or other databases through our Crystal Reports Development Service. We will listen to what you need, assess the situation and provide a quote. We will also match or beat quotes from other vendors.

Can you help us set up or revive our crime analysis program? Yes. Through our Consulting Services we will come on-site and determine what tools you guys have at your disposal and what tools you may need. We can then train you to use these applications and assist with the development of crime analysis products. We can be there to help along the way, supporting your personnel as they get comfortable in their new positions.

Our crime analysis unit has been closed for a while and I am a new analyst, can you help us determine which software programs the prior analyst was using, what he or she was doing and how we can get everything working again? Yes. Through our Consulting Services, we will come on-site and determine what tools you guys have at your disposal and what tools you may need. We can look for and make sense of what the prior analyst had on file and help you determine how to make the most of these items. We can then train you to use the software applications and assist with the development of crime analysis products. We can be there to help along the way, supporting your personnel as they get comfortable in their new positions.

What services do you provide in your support program? Through our Support Program, we provide technical assistance and problem-solving support for you when you need it most. Support program members receive a priority number to call for help or less-pressing issues can be e-mailed to us for assistance.

CURIOSITY QUEST INFORMATION QUESTIONS
Where are you guys located? We are located in beautiful San Ramon, Calilfornia. San Ramon is a growing city located in the San Francisco Bay (East Bay) area.

Where do you guys work? We work throughout the U.S. and Canada. We are devoted to making our services accessible to you, wherever you may be.

Who is your instructor? Karen L. Vincent, MA CCIA is our main instructor.

Are you willing or able to come to our area? YES! Let us know what your needs are and we will do everything we can to get to your area. We believe in helping to make training accessible, and this includes going to new places, big and small.