Paul The Programmer

This is what I have on the back of my business card, if it helps just one person keep their PC running then its done its job....My clients, friends and business associates can give my card to their contact, tell them to either follow my advice or refer me, so that I can do it for them - either way my card gets used.

Speed up and protect your PC

1. Free up disk space

The Disk Cleanup tool helps you free up space on your hard disk by helping you remove temporary and unwanted software and emptying your recycle bin.

2. Speed up access to data

Disk Defragmenter is a Windows utility that improves windows data access response time. Run Disk Defragmenter at regular intervals—monthly is optimal.

3. Detect and repair disk errors

Error Checking utility checks the integrity of the files stored on your hard disk. If you use your computer daily, you should run this utility once a week to help prevent data loss.

4. Protect your computer against spyware and viruses

Run anti-Spyware and anti-Virus software on your PCs to protect your confidential information. Windows Defender is included in Windows Vista, and is available as a free download for Microsoft XP. Also AVG (free anti-Virus software free.avg.com) and Ad-Aware (www.lavasoft.com)

"The highest compliment my clients can give me is the referral of their friends, family, and business associates!" – Thank you for your trust.

What does the back of your business card say about you?

I had a conversation on twitter yesterday with some who asked a simple question "I want to start a business, any suggestions?".

Well, here was my advice.

Do what you love, what your passionate about.

I, myself, like to program computer code. Sad but true. I don't really care what the language is (though some are a little more obtuse than others), its the code writing and problem solving part that I like. I choose VBA because I think its the easiest language to teach and get results from for newbies. And, If a student enjoys the art of coding scripts, they can decide to move off into C#, java, ruby or whatever. My job is to give them the spark of passion.

If you know what you love, then starting a business from it is the easy part. Making a living at it, that a whole other ball game. Start a blog and write about your passion, tweet about it, teach it, make samples of it - ask Nike say, Just do it.

Like Bob the builder, give yourself THE as your middle name. I'm Paul The Programmer. 3 little letters instantly associate YOU with your passion in the audiences eyes.

Now go be what you love.

Hi one and all, happy new 2009!

Did you get a new computer for xmas? Maybe you got MS Office, Excel, Word etc?,

Perhaps your boss at work decided to make you the office Excel expert and you feel that you don't know enough?

Or maybe 2008 didn't work out too well and you want to learn a new skill to shine on your CV and give you a confidence boost?

"..they've a new found confidence in their abilities.."

If so, you've come to the right place (after all that searching of thousands of other internet places, you finally found YOUR place). I want to help people learn and grow. Grow becaue they've learned a useful life skill (VBA), because they've a new found confidence in their abilities and because they want to transform a less than excellent 2008 into a marvellous 2009.

So come on over and jump into the Basic pool, the water's lovely.

Start recognising your worth.

So, its 1982, I'm 12 years old and get my first computer. I'm hooked, like a salmon on the river tweed. Its a ZX81.

If you haven't seen one, then may I suggest you go down to you nearest technology museum and marvel at the sleek, black 8 inch square of plastic, with its flat, white, touch sensitive keyboard. I still have it, in the garage. My kids have no idea that their dad earns every penny he has because of that little box, oh yes and of course Mr Spock (I love science too).

This machine got me started on the road to designing, writing and debugging code. I used to buy computer magazines with REAL program listings in them, such as 1k chess (way before t'internet). These little 1k listings might be a game, new feature or a poke/peek into the computers memory. Once I recall turning the ZX81 into an organ, by poking some memory address or other to make the TV hum a different pitch (yes, computer used to plug into the TV back then).

From these listing I started to experiment. First I'd remove some code lines, then add my own. Eventually I started to understand the lines of code, what the keywords (instructions/commands) meant and how they could make the computer do different things. Its like learning a foreign language by trial and error. I loved it.

Years have gone by now. I've got a degree and 20 years work experience, but I'm still passionate about that little machine and what I learned from it.

Now I like to teach. I concentrate on teaching Visual Basic for Applications (VBA - Very Basic), not because its the best language, the most useful language nor the fastest. Mainly its because I loved that ZX81. I get a buzz when students write their first tiny program, or understand how functions work or what a variable is. Now if I can just instill an ounce of that zest back into them, I'll have done my job right.

Have you any fond memories of the ZX81, or perhaps you hated it? Let me know.

There's nothing more I like than a man at the top of his game, simply telling it how it is, and helping everyone and anyone on the way. Seth talks about marketing, no that not true, Seth to me IS marketing, without the hype or sales pitch.

Well, if you like that type of thing (and I truly hope that you do), then I heartily recommend Seth's Blog - its jam packed with more information than your granny and great aunts can spout at you, whilst making toffee apples.

He is inspiring, accurate and fun to read. He's also been blogging a long time, so he's built up treasure trove of articles, tips, how to's (and how not to's). Well worth the plunge.