Speaking from experience where I do this for family and friends and had done
for the company I worked for.  Yes, sad to say.  They don't realize the
problems they face later if they get a virus or their system crashes.  You
could maybe type up a small manual for your clients and give out a copy to
each, explaining the importance of backing up your system somehow and the
importance of keeping the system up to date with.  Give them the opportunity
to schedule an appointment with you (not free of course), to talk to them
about any questions they may have and the best type of system to use as a
backup.  Have your information ready in case they decide they want you to
set up their systems.  There are a lot of ways to back up a computer, you
could offer them a selection of choices.  Or chose one or two that you
prefer and have them pick from those.  If they don't understand the
importance ask them this - If I took your computer outside and smashed it to
bits where would you be?  Most will answer screwed!  Then just tell them
that that's more or less what they're doing to their systems themselves, by
not keeping up to date and not protecting their computers.

Tina




----- Original Message -----
From: "Hugh Vandervoort" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2005 3:32 PM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Windows Training


> I provide tech support for a lot of my friends and a few small
> businesses. I've been doing this for 10 years or so, and am totally
> self-taught.
> Almost without exception, these people are completely clueless when it
> comes to organizing files and folders,backups, installing software,
> troubleshooting or solving the myriad of problems we all see daily with
> Windows.
> I've just come from a home where the owner runs a small contracting
> business,(she does very well)and every document she ever wrote or
> received is just dumped in My Docs without rhyme or reason. She had no
> backup strategy, virtually no updates, out of date anti virus, etc.
> This situation is very common, in my experience, and I wonder if it's as
> common as I think it is.
> Most of my customers are over 50, for what that's worth.
> Is this the norm in other's experience as well?
> Is there any effective, comprehensive training available?
>
>                   Visit our website regularly for FAQs,
>                articles, how-to's, tech tips and much more
>                           http://freepctech.com
>
>

                  Visit our website regularly for FAQs,
               articles, how-to's, tech tips and much more
                          http://freepctech.com