Questions
Everything people ask before they ring.
If your question is not here, ring (02) 4081 9511 and ask it. There is no charge for a conversation.
Lessons and how they work
Do you come to my house?
Yes, and most people prefer it. We work on your own device, on your own internet connection, at your own table, which is where the problem actually lives. You are equally welcome to come to me in Warners Bay.
How long is a lesson?
An hour is standard and suits most people. Two hours works well for home lab building or business training. Beyond that concentration fades and you stop retaining things, so I would rather book you again than push through.
How soon can you come?
Usually within a week. I work in IT full time, so lessons run weeknights from 4pm to 8pm and weekends from 8am to 3pm. Weeknight slots go first, so weekends are often easier at short notice.
Do I need to prepare anything?
No. Just have the device handy and, if you know it, the password to get into it. A written list of the things that have annoyed you recently is genuinely useful, because people forget half of them once we start.
Can someone sit in with me?
Of course. Partners, family members and friends are all welcome, and for lessons with children a parent is welcome to stay in the room at any time.
Cost and payment
How much do lessons cost?
$65 an hour for everybody, with no call-out fee, no minimum number of lessons and no lock-in. That is the whole price. See the pricing page for the detail.
When and how do I pay?
After the lesson, by bank transfer or cash. Nothing up front, no deposit. I will provide an invoice if you need one.
What if I need to cancel?
Let me know and that is the end of it. No cancellation fee, ever. Some notice is appreciated so the slot can go to someone else.
How does that compare to other tutors?
It sits at the lower end. Independent tutors around Newcastle are commonly $70 to $110 an hour, agencies charge more, and mobile computer help services usually add a call-out fee of $80 or more on top. There is no call-out fee here and no minimum booking, so a single short job costs considerably less than the same job elsewhere.
Who I teach
Is there an age limit, either way?
No. The youngest students are around 9 and the oldest are in their nineties. Kids, students, working adults, business owners and retirees are all equally welcome.
I am really not confident with technology. Is that a problem?
It is the most common starting point there is, and no, it is not a problem. There is no level of beginner that is too beginner. We start exactly where you are.
Do you teach businesses and staff groups?
Yes. Same rate whether it is one person or six around a table. Software training, security basics, backups and AI are the usual requests.
Do you have a Working With Children Check?
A NSW Working With Children Check is legally required for paid work with under-18s. My application is in progress, and lessons for under-18s begin once it has been issued.
What I can and cannot help with
Windows or Apple?
Both, plus iPad, iPhone and Android. Also routers, printers, smart TVs and most things with a network connection.
Can you fix my computer if it is broken?
I can diagnose what is wrong and often fix software problems as part of a lesson. I do not run a repair shop, so for cracked screens, failed hard drives and data recovery I will tell you honestly what is needed and who is worth calling.
Can you help me decide what to buy?
Yes, and please ask before you buy rather than after. I sell nothing and earn no commission on any recommendation. Twenty minutes of advice regularly saves people several hundred dollars.
I think I have been scammed. Can you help?
Yes, and ring straight away rather than waiting. The first hour matters more than anything else. You will not be lectured or made to feel foolish.
Do you do remote support over the internet?
For quick follow-up questions from people I already know, sometimes. For teaching, in person is far better and it is what I recommend. Learning by watching a cursor move on a screen is a poor substitute for doing it with your own hands.