July 19, 2007
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Computer choices
If you are trying to make computer decisions- do I need a new computer, should I keep and upgrade what I have, what works for what I need to do, where do I buy, how do I balance cost and quality- then perhaps you’d like some consulting.
My Wife is working quite hard for our family, and I have decided I want to put my own skills to work ‘on the side’ to try to help. In the past, I’ve been paid to consult- both individually hired, and I also worked for 1.5 years at Circuit City, constantly advising people about purchasing computers… not to mention buying, building, and upgrading my own.
Wherever you live, I can help consult in the decision-making process (and even in the buying process)- and for those who actually live here in South Carolina, I can face-to-face meet, advise, support, and encourage through one of the most nail-biting, difficult times in a person’s life: making an investment that can be as much as $1,000+.
While I am not a liscensed tech, I can also handle computer setup (ie- installing an operating system, getting programs set up, etc), and help with minor installations (I CAN build a whole system, but I’m not going to offer those services since it’s not work I’ve done professionally, nor am I professional tech capable of troubleshooting if the hardware has faults) . But simple things like adding an extra hard disk, installing RAM- and, if you want a licensed tech OR a place that can build you a quality computer from scratch locally I have a great deal of knowledge in that area.
Feel free to drop me a line if you, or someone you know, is interested.
This is not a ‘business’ of mine, it’s just a job I’m willing to perform and can do- so I suppose it’s kind of like a housemom who also does housecleaning for others on the side. Except I’m a housedad who does computer work. I have a LOT of references- both in terms of computer work and integrity.
Also, while I will charge, I don’t ask the exorbitant things that the average computer shop would- and when you get consulting advice from me, unlike the salesperson at Circuit City, you know I’m telling you what you really need as best I can, not just trying to sell what is in stock, what we have too much of, or getting you to spend as much as possible. I actually made my employers upset a few times because I advised cheaper options for customers, since I knew that was what they really needed and could best afford. Did you know that for a BASIC operating system install, a local computer store will charge $90? And to set you up and tweak your system- install extra programs, etc- they charge you more. Installing RAM will cost you somewhere from $25-30 at Circuit City, and a hard disk installation and setup is far, far more. Getting advice and personal consultation you can trust- someone who will come out to your house and help you plug things in, install your programs, etc? You can’t buy that in any of those stores.
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As an aside, did you know that a lot of people don’t know what they really actually need in terms of a computer? People would come to me at Circuit City looking for a laptop. Well, I’m supposed to sell them one- they cost more, and they want one- but the truth is, some of them really did not NEED a laptop! A lot of people who were in business, or else had children going to college, really needed a PocketPC instead. It’s cheaper than a full laptop, faster, more reliable, far more diverse, and- most importantly- SMALL and portable. You can carry it on your belt everywhere you go (I do, with mine)- you can hold ALL your contacts in it and synch it with your desktop (or, even a laptop) Windows computer. Typing up notes for a class, or dislike the fact it doesn’t have a normal keyboard? You can get a blue-tooth keyboard (wireless) that it sets on, and type on it just like a laptop- but it also has the ability to be ‘written on’ just like a notepad. There is even speech recognition software you can buy, and you can record audio onto it. You can hook up to a local wireless area (like a bookstore) during a lunch break and access the internet, browse the web, get email. My 4 year old PocketPC even has a program on it that lets me use it like a universal remote- I just need to find out the name of a television in a waiting room at the doctors office, then I click a few buttons and I can change the channel to it. I think some people thought the TV was possessed one night while waiting for a table at Outback steakhouse!
Sometimes laptops really are the best choice- a PocketPC IS limited in some ways. But sometimes PocketPC’s fit your needs a lot better, too. Sometimes upgrading is a waste of money and time- because your computer just won’t cut it long term, or won’t be able to do what you want to do. It’s cheaper long-term and better to buy a new one. Sometimes, upgrading IS the best idea. Also, did you know that there are certain times in the market where you can get a ‘steal’ of a price on computers or their components, but if you waited a month they’d go up again? Did you know there was a technique to buying online and not being ‘ripped off’, and also to buying from the local stores and still getting a -real- deal (not just one they tell you is a deal)?
If you or anyone you know want a Bible college graduate who is a stay-home Dad, married, and planning to eventually go to the mission field (once we’re out of non-house debt)- to help them out with any of these matters, let me know.
-Patrick