Rosie helps Internet's late bloomers join Facebook generation

You just know how to do e-mail. Feeling a little left out of the online shopping experience? Or awkward about starting social networking via Facebook?

That's how Rosemary Blandford felt. At 37, the Glenview mother of three children decided to compile lessons based on her own learning experiences at different Web site. She then gathered several writers, Web developers and some investors to help launch RosieKnows.com.

"If you can do e-mail or light shopping online, then this is the right site for you," said Blandford, a former ER nurse and high schoolteacher raised in Arlington Heights.

Blandford started the educational site to help others who aren't Web savvy. It was developed out of her Glenview home. As services and subscriptions grew, the business needed more space. She eventually moved the operations to a rented Northbrook office and now oversees four full-time employees.

Since the site launched last month, it has attracted about 120 members. While many are from Illinois, others are from around the country. Subscriber ages range from 30s to 80s.

Also, RosieKnows.com offers instructions, tutorials and video demonstrations with about 200 lessons. More are expected to be added each week, she sad.

They show you how to garner basic Internet skills, use search engines, print digital photos, cut costs with grocery or coupon sites, order from Netflix or other sites, among others.

RosieKnows.com also offers some free lessons, but it's mostly subscription based. It costs $9.95 per month plus a one-time enrollment fee of $9.95. Or you could get a premium package that includes other lessons and printed materials for $29.95.

She aims to continue adding lessons and members, which could allow her to hire more workers later this year.

"We want to keep the site fresh and make sure we keep up on the new technology," she said.