Dear All,

I'm thinking about setting up a computer support business in Sheffield - just a simple, honest, personal service for home users, other small businesses and maybe schools.

I'd like to know what people's views are on the matter... mainly, should i bother? (i.e. is there already too much competition), if you've used a similar company/service before what did you reckon to them? What services do you think i should provide? What do *you* think is a suitable rate to pay?

Please let me know, via moonlightcomputing.googlepages.com (http://moonlightcomputing.googlepages.com/) (email address on the page for you to contact me)

Cheers,
"moonlight computing".

I think a basic home course for seniors would go well, I took a VERY basic course at my local senior center, even that was over my head. I did get a lot of help from friends, but like most people starting out you hate to keep botherning them with "silly questions", and there's really no such thing as a Basic/Basic course for beginners.

I think a basic home course for seniors would go well

Great. This is something i'd not considered but would be happy to offer...

Thanks for replying poppins. :)

I'm thinking about setting up a computer support business in Sheffield - just a simple, honest, personal service for home users, other small businesses and maybe schools.

To work in a school you may find that you need CRB check:

http://www.crb.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=381

Primary schools in particular seem to need help getting things working/understanding how technology works.

I used to teach very basic computer skills for people who needed to start from how you turn it on, rather than most courses that start with how you use a particular program or package, and I have to say that the biggest issue was with getting the people who really have no IT knowledge to come in through the door in the first place. Once the lack of knowledge has been built up there seems to be a wall there somehow.

Has to be said that once you've got them through the door and convinced them that they really can do it then there's great potential for loyal and able learners to gain knowledge, but even with regular leafletting of local homes we struggled to get people to attend, and most people who attended did not have access to computers at home so a home course would not be appropriate.

People who already have a computer in the home but don't know how to use it may be a growth area for courses, but it was relatively heavy going getting enough people to make courses worthwhile (and this was with the size, backing and budget of the WEA behind us).

I wish you luck with your plans, and am not trying to shoot you down in flames- just to share experiences with you.

Moonlight, teaching children basics too is an idea, but I still think you would get more response teaching seniors, for starters most retirees can afford it , also they have plenty of spare time on their hands, also they wouldn't mind asking "silly questions" when their paying for it..... one question that was always asked in the class I took, how do you know when to click once or click twice :confused:

I've used 'Very PC' in Hillsborough, who provide a similar service.

They were absolutely brilliant, so if you can start a support business as good as that, you won't go far wrong!

Thanks everyone for the replies.

WildStar - i'd not heard of VeryPC. But looking at some stuff i've found on the web about them, they do indeed seem to be a 'decent' company. Which is great news for Sheffield (But not for my business! :) )

GrinderBloke - thanks for the info, but i have worked in schools before and it should be no problem updating my CRB if necessary.

I'd love to hear from more people, btw......

For those of you interested, i've decided to go ahead and give this a try...