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Archives: News > Business |
Updated:
Friday, August 3, 2007 12:03 PM PDT
‘Doctor' makes house calls for
ailing PCs
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THE
DOCTOR IS IN: Cesar Ramirez, owner of Affordable Computer Doctor, works from
his van. Ramirez has a mobile computer service business that travels to homes
and businesses to fix any computer problems that customers might have. |
Ramirez started a mobile computer service business last year called Affordable
Computer Doctor.
His business-on-wheels takes him to homes and workplaces throughout the
One of the problem areas that Ramirez specializes in is computer viruses.
Oftentimes, he says, when customers call him about their slower-than-normal
PCs, they think it's because they need to buy more memory, when, in fact, the
slowdown is caused by a virus.
Some software programs can also cause a PC to become lethargic, says Ramirez,
including spyware - software that is installed
surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control
over the user's interaction; malware - software
designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's
knowledge; or adware - any software package which
automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertising material to a computer
after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used.
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Ramirez has two employees who help
him with services ranging from diagnostic, troubleshooting, maintenance, and
repairs on PCs, to hardware and software upgrades and installation, and web development.
Ramirez also installs surveillance systems using security cameras to protect
homes or offices. The beauty of the system, he says, is that customers are able
to watch what the cameras are seeing from their own computer screens locally or any part of the world through the internet.
It was through his father, who has worked for Hewlett-Packard since 1980, that
Ramirez developed a love for the computer industry at a very early age. At age
6, he had a Commodore 64. At 12, he had an IBM and taught himself basic
programming and DOS.
Ramirez, who lives in
During the summer, between college, he worked as a programmer for Hewlett-Packard.
Ramirez said his goal after he graduated from college was to be like the owners
of HP, who started their business in a garage in
For customers who don't know anything about computers, Ramirez says he will
teach them in a language they can understand.
He gives them the basics, making sure they are comfortable with the information
he has given them before he leaves their home or office.
Ramirez remembers one customer who had never used a computer. He offered her
basic classes that he taught in her home for an hour a week over several weeks.
The classes included an introduction to Windows, how to check her e-mails, and
tips on computer shortcuts.
His van is set up like an office, including a console upon which to set his
laptop computer with broadband internet, a printer, gps system, a web cam, and an inventory of computer supplies and
equipment.
From his vehicle, he can check on a part for a customer from his computer or provide remote desktop support. He
can print an invoice with an itemized list of the work done from his printer.
“And, if I need to, I can work on a computer inside my car,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez charges by the job, rather than by the hour, which, he says, saves the
customer money.
He works Mondays through Fridays during regular business hours. He's also
available on weekends and after 5 p.m. during the week.
THE BASICS
Name: Affordable Computer Doctor
Owner:
Phone: (877) 423-3352
Web site: http://ACDoctor.net
E-mail: service@acdoctor.net