Alternate Solutions

I did some work for a client last night who is setting up a seasonal storefront (May - August) and needed Internet and telephone access. It really got me thinking about non-traditional methods of setting up web access, since, in the client's case, calling Verizon for DSL and phone for 3 months would not be a great option. So here, in no particular order, are a few ways to get web connections in different ways.

Broadband hotspots like the Verizon Mifi 4510 are a good way to get Internet access for you and a few friends anywhere or, as in the case of my client, temporary access. Like aircards, a wireless hotspot is a subscription service that will run you around $50 per month and speed depends on coverage in your area. Though designed with business travelers in mind who may need access in short bursts (the unit is rechargeable and charges may only last 2-6 hours), it can be used with AC power plugged in for as long as you need to. It's a decent alternative, especially when you just need a short-term web solution. Beware, though: service providers may cap the monthly data limit, so don't rely on these for huge data transfers and don't run Windows Update when connected to a wireless hotspot.

If you have broadband in your house but would rather have a wired connection a room where there currently is none, an "ethernet over power" solution like the NetGear's powerline series is a great alternative. Simply plug one unit into the electrical outlet by your home's router/hub, run an ethernet cable to it, and then plug the other unit into a power outlet anywhere you need wired connection speeds. Voila! Instant ethernet jack with your network signals being sent over your home power lines. This is an extendable solution as well. I use one of these in my home for the Xbox instead of using wireless and bought another jack when I got a network Blu-Ray player.

These are two different solutions for connecting to the Internet or your home network that are outside of the standard methods you'd normally consider. There are many more out there just like these that go beyond the typical models, so check around! Thanks a lot for reading!

Some quick updates

We've been working on some new things and haven't had a chance to blog in a bit, so here are a few quick things:

We're redesigning our site to make things simpler and, hopefully, more pleasing to the eyes and easy to digest. It should be online when you read this or shortly after that. No later than May 5, we do know that! Thanks for checking it out.

User Friendly is sponsoring the Mount Airy 5K-9 Mutt Run, where dogs and their human pets can run a challenging and fun course and raise money to benefit the Mount Airy Dog Park, located at Watkins Park (where User Friendly staff can frequently be seen running the path). You and your pooch can sign up for the event right here!

We're on Twitter and Facebook, so check us out there. You can never have enough friends!

Thanks, and we'll see you soon!

A question of price

As you might know, I started User Friendly Computer Services late last year, so I'm definitely still ironing out the kinks.  One thing I'm still working on, I'm not ashamed to say, is pricing.  Maybe you, the possible future user of our services, can give some input.

Doing some online research, I see that Geek Squad charges 170-300 just to perform a cleanup/diagnostic.  That's really high to me.  I usually like to charge 50-60 per hour, one hour minimum, and go from there.  If we're nearing the one hour mark, I'll give you an estimate of how long it should take and how long it'll cost.

Are customers put off by this kind of vagueness?  That's the feedback I'd like if you don't mind.  One one hand, I don't want to scare my customers off with a big up-front estimate or huge fixed price.  I mean, $300 is well on the road to "just buy a new computer" land.  But I'm thinking maybe people don't like to hear "50 bucks to look it over, do some light cleanup, diagnose issues, and we can go from there."

So what do you think?

I'm considering publishing a price list on my site advertising some basic computer and networking services with fixed prices.  Would you find that helpful?  Would that be more desirable than calling for an estimate?

Most importantly, would you be more inclined to give me business if you knew the exact price up front?  :)


I really do value feedback from customers and potential customers, so please let me know what you think.  You can add a comment at the bottom of this blog post, or email me directly to let me know what you think, if you don't mind.

Thanks again.

Tech guys could be a little nicer

Doing some online research, I came across a thread on the techspot.com forums where one forum member was asking for help with a slow-running PC.  After posting a listing of the programs running on his PC, he got this response:


Looks like you have downloaded and installed every bit of junk you could get your hands on, sorry to say this.

I could make a list of what you should uninstall, but I can't be bothered really.
My advice: format c: /u and start from scratch.
Then stop installing junk. 


Wow, no wonder non-technical folks are usually wary of asking for help from the people who know computers.  Rather than offer constructive help, the poster is dismissive and demeaning, finally offering a suggestion that says "oh, you're beyond help.  Wipe the hard drive and start over."  The snarky, condescending attitude that is so prevalent in IT industry professionals is evident in forum posts like this.  Would it have been hard for the poster here to not be a jerk?


Working in the information technology field for over a decade, I've seen this kind of thing a lot, and it's easy to understand why everyday people who need help with their computers would rather just deal with problems like a slow-running PC than be browbeaten by a guy just because he knows a little more about computers.


I don't think civility from the person fixing your computer or giving computer advice is too much to ask.  I don't get that kind of attitude from my mechanic or my dentist. But judging by the behavior of many of my peers, it seems my mechanic should roll his eyes because I can't fix my own brakes and my dentist should make fun of me because I don't know how to perform a root canal.


As an IT professional, I don't feel like I should act that way toward the people I'm supposed to be helping.  I don't mock their supposed lack of knowledge; without it, I'd be out of a job!  I've fixed home and office computers for all kinds of people from many walks of life; lawyers, writers, programmers, musicians and more.  They all know more about their respective fields then I do, and I know more about computers than they do.  Mutual respect is a must.  If you take anything away from this rambling entry that's kind of sputtering out here, it's this: there ARE decent computer help people out there.  Some of us actually do have a personality, aren't making fun of you, and are personally secure enough that we don't need to mock the people we're supposed to be helping to feel better about ourselves.


Thanks for reading, and I hope you find one of the good ones!

Computers talking to each other

This has been on my mind a lot lately, because I'm working with a small business client to create a network for them.  Funny thing about the word network...in my previous life as a college Mass Communications major, I learned that technically, boiled down to its essence, a network is two TV or radio stations sharing content.

I figure we can say the same about computers to make the concept less intimidating.  A network is essentially two computers configured to share data.  Sure, it can be more than two, but once you think of it this way, it's not so mystifying.  At home, my 2 desktops, 2 laptops, Blu-Ray player and Xbox 360 can -- on a good day when the stars align and the gods of cat5e smile upon me -- communicate.  So they're a network.

Large businesses usually has networks called domains, where a central server controls accounts, security, etc.  Small businesses and homes can get by with a network called a workgroup, where computers and their humans can share data with no centralized control but also not as much need for ongoing management.

When I tell people I'm a network engineer, I usually get a blank stare.  Really, I just make sure computers can talk to each other, among other things.

That's all a network is.  Computers talking to each other.

The obligatory first blog entry

I started User Friendly Computer Services and Technology Consulting late in 2010. 

I have business cards, flyers, and an ad in the local paper (when I manage to make the deadline).

I have a decent web site that I created myself and update when I feel like I need to (www.userfriendlysupport.com) -- written using Xara web designer because I'm the first to admit when I don't know something and I certainly don't know HTML.  I'm also doing the web 2.0, social networking thing on Facebook (http://on.fb.me/hmGPBs) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/userfriendlymd) -- friend and/or follow me, please!  I offer discounts to friends, virtual and otherwise.

Hey look!  Over there on the right, you can share any interest posts I make on Facebook or Twitter with one click!   There's also a tech news feed.

Anyway, so now, as a natural extension of all this self-promotion, branding and all manner of modern advertising buzzwords, I'm going to blog.

I can tell you this is going to be an adventure as I try to figure out what you'd like to see on a blog.  Do I go the straight tech route and talk about current and emerging technologies?  Be helpful and give hints on everyday computer stuff?  Brag about my cool home network?

Maybe you want personal stories or tales of client engagements -- home and small business folks -- with names changed to protect the innocent?

With the way my mind works, you'll likely get all of the above with a smattering -- just a smidge -- of self-promotion thrown in.  I promise not too much shilling, though.  Did I mention I can help with any computer problems you have?  Okay then.

So please follow this blog.  I promise to make it brief and interesting.  Sometimes more brief than interesting, sometimes more interesting than brief.  On a perfect day, I'll hit the sweet spot.

And give me feedback if you are moved to do so.

Thanks for reading!

Brian