In this series of posts I will weigh the pros and cons of the three basic means of preparing yourself for a career in tech: certification, formal education, and experience.  For each category I’ll give separate advice for those seeking a corporate career versus those seeking to start their own computer business.  Drawing from my own experiences, as well as my observations of other successful people, I hope to give a realistic look in to what it takes to break into tech.

Often those who are planning on beginning a career in IT, either finishing school or changing careers, will wonder if paying money to get certified is worth it.  The reason this question is asked over and over again is that there is no one right answer.  One person can point at their own experience as an independent technician and say that all it took for them to be successful was proper experience, while another might say the only way they were able to compete in the job market was with a certification or two under their belt.  There are a myriad of experiences and no two are alike.

Earning an IT certification is the most focused and least time consuming of the three categories I’ll be covering. There are numerous industry standard certification’s out there ranging from the basic PC comprehension shown by passing CompTIA’s A+ to elite advanced certifications like Cisco’s new Certified Architect program.  Whatever your specialty, there’s a certification you can earn to prove your understanding of it.  Lets take a look at how certification can help you in a corporate career versus a consulting career.

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After writing a recent post on the reasons why computer techs should be using twitter, I received quite a few requests asking for me to provide a list of tech accounts to follow for folks to get started.  I thought it would be cool to try to build this list, and in the process I’ve discovered some excellent resources.

This is by no means an exhaustive list.  I’d call this more of a “beginners list”;  a run-down of some useful twitter accounts that focus on tech and computers. It’s purpose is to get you started if you’re new to twitter or to round out your list if you’re already on twitter.  The list is appropriate for anyone who is interested in keeping up with technology trends.

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A podcast, for those of you not in the “know”, is basically a digital radio show that can be streamed to your computer or downloaded onto any number of digital listening devices, including the ever popular iPod.  Podcasting is now more popular than ever thanks, in part, to two factors: 1) the popularity of the iPod and other portable digital listening devices and 2) the reduction in price of quality audio broadcasting equipment. 

This increased popularity means that there are a lot of podcasts sprouting up around the net.  These podcasts range in quality and produciton value from a kid with a cheap microphone in his parent’s basement to a nationally syndicated radio show.  

I’ve fallen in love with podcasts recently after buying a car with an auxiliary input that allows me to listen to my iPod on the road.  This enables me to hear pertinent, relevant, interesting stuff on my 45 minute drive to and from work.  Better than radio, podcasts allow me to choose WHAT I listen to and WHEN I listen to it.  Kinda like Tivo for audio broadcasting.

As a computer guy or gal, listening to tech-related podcasts regularly will help you keep up with the latest trends in computer consulting and the IT business in general.  You can listen at home or in your shop while working on a computer or in the car on your way to your service calls.  There are quite a few tech-centric podcasts out there.  This list provides you with the podcasts that I personally enjoy and in which I find the most value as a computer guy.

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Lets face it, there are a lot of “computer guys” out there.  It’s no secret that the IT industry is growing and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.  The demand is there and the money is good.

However, not every computer guy is created equal.  Just because you have a degree related to computers, you solve all your friend’s computer problems in less than 15 minutes, and you can hack into the pentagon, doesn’t mean you’re cut out to start your own computer repair business.

Since starting my business, many customers I service seem to be relieved when they realize that I’m not out to make a quick buck, and that I can speak to them about their computer in terms that they can understand and relate to.  Some have even related to me the pains they’ve experienced at the hands of some other computer guys that they’ve worked with in the past.  Couple these experiences with the fact that, through interviews on this website and other encounters with successful computer techs, I’ve noticed that there are some characteristics that make certain independent computer consultants really stand out among the competition.

There are many obvious traits that one must posses in order to be a successful independent computer consultant.  You must have people skills, business savvy, and broad technical knowledge.  But that’s just the beginning.

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I’m a computer guy, but I’m also a bit of a movie buff.  So I decided I’d have some fun here as the year draws to a close and sum up the best movies of the year that computer geeks like myself can enjoy and appreciate.

Admittedly, 2008 was a pretty horrible year for computer tech-friendly movies. Maybe it’s because  technology is now such an integral part of our culture that it’s become boring. Or maybe all the most compelling tech related stories out there have already been told. Whatever the case, it took some thinking for me to come up with this list.

Though not all of them are true computer geek movies, I based my selections on films that deal heavily with computers, gadgets, hacking, or technology either by the characters or in the story itself.

Without further delay, here are my top 5 movies from 2008 that all computer geeks should see:

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If you’re anything like me, you’ve got those hard-to-buy-for folks on your Christmas list that take some extra shopping time on your part. Well if one of those people happens to be a computer repair technician or consultant, worry no longer!

I’ve compiled a list of some wonderfully cheap (under $100) and practical items that your cherished geek will adore! Each item includes a picture and title that link straight to Amazon, or similar online store, where you can order it.

If you are a computer tech, forward this post to your friends and loved ones to give them some good ideas. Happy Holidays and happy shopping!

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Historically, the computer guy, like many other service professionals, has been undervalued and under appreciated.  But beware, we computer folk hold a lot more of the cards then some may realize.  For those people who tend to treat their computer guy like a second class citizen, here are the top 10 reasons why you may want to reconsider giving us a hard time (David Letterman style): (more…)

If you enjoy figuring out computer problems and have a knack for explaining technical jargon to non-technical people, there are a few places online that you can call home.  There is no shortage of people on the web looking for help with computer troubles.  I’ve taken the liberty of gathering four of my favorite websites where you can practice helping other people with their computer problems.  This is by no means an exhaustive list, it’s merely a personal gathering of the places I’ve found most helpful to not only myself, but to the people seeking help who visit them.  Most of these websites will also allow you to link to your own personal website, thus increasing traffic to your computer support business.
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Warning: If you’re not a computer nerd, you may not fully appreciate this post.  Proceed with caution (and set your phasers on stun).

Until the recent past, the entertainment world has given computer nerds a bad rap. Long have we been eschewed to the ranks of the socially inept, uber-sarcastic losers like Dennis from Jurassic Park or Nick Burns the Company Computer Guy from SNL.  Well, we mouse jockeys finally have someone to root for!

Tonight marks the premier of the second season of the NBC action-comedy Chuck.  The show’s outlandish premise follows the adventures of Chuck Bartowski, a computer repair tech, who had the last remaining copy of the worlds greatest spy secrets downloaded to his brain via an encrypted message sent by his old college roommate who now works for the CIA.  I’ll spare you the full synopsis which you can read here.
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