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ARE YOU CONSIDERING COMPUTERS AND SOFTWARE ?

As a consultant I help many businesses set up a new computer system for their office, select the programs that they need for their work, conduct initial training, and recommend future training at a reasonable cost as their needs require it.

You may be considering obtaining my services as a computer consultant to help you with your business either because someone recommended me or I contacted you. Since many people now claim to be "computer experts" and some of them are not qualified to make that claim, you need to carefully consider qualifications before you make a decision.

I have a degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and have completed many hours of advanced courses in management and computers since 1965. I have substantial experience in business management, sales, and computer software development and have been working in some way with computers since 1965. My first assignment was to use computers to analyze all of the electronics on the Lockheed C-5A transport plane. I then became a part of the Apollo Space program and was a team leader and part of the prime launch teams of Apollo 7 through Apollo 12 (which included the first two moon landings). We were responsible for installing, testing, and operating the computer systems to check out and launch of the spacecraft and lunar modules. I worked as Sales Office Manager for one of the nations largest water pollution control companies and as a Regional Sales Manager for one of the largest international specialty insurance companies. That company purchased a computerized office management package that I developed and placed it in all of their state offices in 1985. In 1988 I started some custom software design for companies involved in the timber business. Since that time I have developed custom systems and software for a large number of uses in this business.

I have been developing software for my own use and the use of others using versions of the SMALL COMPUTER COMPANY'S FILEPRO DATABASE PROGRAM since 1981. I own all of my developments and can select and mix different programs to provide a special program in much less time than it takes to create a new program for most situations. I have expanded my knowledge to include other software and generally combine my software with other standard software and tie it all together with special menus to make it easier for others to use without being a computer "expert".

If you decide to purchase my services, once you agree to buy any part of my software, I consider my responsibility to be to help you make your computers/office operate in any way you need. You are paying for my special knowledge and experience and if I cannot use that to help you save time or money or run your business better in a way that you receive much more than you expected for your money, then I do not need to be working with you. About 95 percent of my business is from referrals from happy customers. My reputation is my most important asset and if I do not feel that I can do what you need for any reason, then I will not accept your work. I hope I can help you or at least I make a new friend.

Part of my services include setting up equipment and software for my customers. One way to improve that service is to use my status as a developer to buy equipment and software at reduced prices for test and demonstration purposes. Companies like Microsoft have sold me an evaluation copy of their product for 10 percent of the normal retail price. These are complete copies with the restriction that they cannot be resold by me . I try to purchase everything that I sell and support and test products that I recommend to customers before I recommend them. I upgrade products and depreciate the value of my older products and this often gives me more than I can use. This is what I do with some of them. Typical agreements from equipment manufacturers do not allow resale of their evaluation products at current prices within 6 months of my purchase. Software developers do not allow any resale of evaluation software. A large part of the evaluation process is installing and testing software on equipment, and any equipment that I use has large investments in my time that is not charged to customers and software that cannot be resold. Anyone interested in purchasing any of my evaluation products should be aware of the following conditions that should be considered:

If you buy an evaluation system from me, it will not cost more than I paid for it and any software that stays on the system will still maintain its "evaluation" status and is not a part of the purchase price. If you decide to register the software or request more documentation, you will have to pay their regular price. I have some abilities to repair or replace any part of these systems or get them repaired under any warranties that apply. Most importantly, the system will be operational when you get it. You have no idea how much that is worth to you until you try to duplicate some of the work I do.