Just when you think you know someone really well, you find out something new. Our featured Roost sponsor this week is my own partner Scott Buntin of ASAP Mac and PC Services who has been keeping our web site and Swap Shop computers and printers humming for the last two years. I’ve picked up bits of computer knowledge just listening to him talk with his clients but I got a much fuller picture sitting down to write this posting to help all of us with our computer needs.
The first thing I wanted to know was how he spends most of his time. What is the number one thing individual people and small businesses contact him to do?
VIRUSES: Virus clean-up on PCs tops the list. For PCs he’s been doing a lot of ad ware removal of those pesky pop up ads, especially the ones that insist you have lots of viruses and offer you a $49.99 dollar “solution.” Apple computers don’t share the same vulnerabilities to viruses as machines running Windows. For Macs, he’s been educating users in how to avoid the pop-up internet ads that aren’t actually damaging to Macs, but are still quite annoying.
UPGRADES: The second most common reason people contact a “computer guy” is for upgrading existing equipment. We all like to avoid dumping old equipment and purchasing new both for our pocketbook and for the environment. Not all of us have the time, patience or knowledge to weed through our various upgrade options.
WIRELESS These days, many folks are installing wireless in their homes – no longer is the computer tethered to the modem. Kick back on the couch and surf the internet. Scott can help you setup wireless so it’s convenient and easy to use, but still secure.
Scott is a great resource for figuring out what combination of adding memory or a larger hard drive and/or newer software will get your computer sped up and caught up to modern times – or at least fit for the kids – with some helpful advice on what to get next. Best of all, once you pick from all your options, he does the install of both hardware and software and you are on your way.
In the case of computers that are old enough that upgrading would really not be cost effective or realistic, he’ll tell you that too. If that’s the case, he’ll discuss options for replacement of the computer, along with transferring all of your old stuff to the new one, and disposing of the old one, including erasing the drive before it goes to recycling or donation.
DATA RECOVERY: When you absolutely have to have it back after it crashes . . . it’s nice to know you’ve done everything possible to find the data you can recover. Scott can also get you on a good back up system – hopefully before you ever have a problem.
HOW TO: We all learn differently. Scott’s 5 years on the help desk at Apple working with all levels of computer users from individuals calling in for help to service technicians out in the field and fellow apple employees too, has given him lots of experience walking people through various computer and internet access issues, navigating new (and old but underutilized) software and, basically, doing what it takes to create ease of use so you get the most out of your machine.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST: The one thing that holds us all back from seeking any service whether it’s repairs for our cars, that first orthodontics visit or asking someone to come look at our computer is not knowing what the bill will be. Scott charges $80 an hour with a one hour minimum and caps out at 2 ½ hours in fees even if the job takes a bit longer so you know you won’t generally be paying more than $200 for his time.
Gift Certificates are also available and are at a discount through December. He also has prepaid service packages available, so computer support can be budgeted in advance (at a discount to normal pricing), avoiding unexpected hits to the pocketbook.
FREE HELP AND ADVICE: Some issues just aren’t big enough to warrant the cost of a service call and for that, you can be glad that TaborSpace opened up in our neighborhood this year. Scott holds community office hours every Wednesday and Saturdays 9-12am inside this cool little gathering place and coffee hot spot inside Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church – at the corner of SE 55th and Belmont. If you haven’t already gotten inside this space, it’s definitely worth checking out on a wet weekend morning or during the week. Open Monday – Friday: 7am to 4pm, Saturday: 9am to 4 and Sunday: 12:30 – pm with a full service coffee bar, savory and sweet pastries and a little play space for the kids. Many of the baristas are volunteers and, on Wed and Sat mornings, so is Scott. Any donations you give him for his time helping you with an upgrade question, software navigation, etc gets split 50-50 with the TaborSpace folks – a great way to support community.
COMPUTERS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS FOR THE ROOST: Working and non-working electronics are great things for curious minds in The Roost, our middle school after school program staffed by Camp Fire and run on lots of creativity.
Scott has been wiping clean older lap top computers to become homework stations for 6th, 7th and 8th graders. If you are not sure if your old lap top computer is worth keeping around for your needs, call Scott or bring it to TaborSpace during Scott’s office hours to find out. If you don’t keep it, Roost kids will have a great new homework tool.
Scott also sometimes has a short-list of those who just can’t afford a computer new enough to be useful, and is usually on the look-out for machines that can be repurposed for these folks.
Ideal machines for The Roost or the short-list are desktops or laptops, Mac or Windows, up to 4 or 5 years old.
CONTACT ASAP Mac and PC Services:To get hold of Scott Buntin for yourself or for a gift certificate for a relative or friend: (503) 255-2419, scott
asapmacpc
com
, or www.asapmacpc.com.
TaborSpace is at 5441 SE Belmont, http://maps.google.com/maps?q=5441%20SE%20Belmont,portland%20or
