About AppleShooter

AppleShooter offers Macintosh computer services and individual tutoring at competitive rates for businesses, homes and private users. These services include troubleshooting and a wide menu of other services described on the Services page. AppleShooter is a one man operation.

When I was three or four years old I was playing with my toy train set. My father handed me a screwdriver. The rest is history. From then on I was taking everything apart, from wall outlets, radios, alarm clocks and tape recorders to the entire structure of civilization, philosophy and the whole meaning of life. But I will stick to the banal world of tech in this bio.

People who design, salvage or fix things have an exploratory nature. When this is applied to the complexity of computers, one must be a technical detective. Troubleshooting requires methodical analysis of problems that leapfrog out of nowhere. Problems often defy all the documentation that came with your machine. The answers to problems are often elusive or poorly documented. And worst of all, most geeks who create software and write your operating manuals do not speak in a human language. Many tech-head authors of manuals and computer tech books use poor syntax, bad choice of words or fail at communicating....unless you know what they mean and "catch their drift." I have been catching their drift for many years. Problems exist because computers are complex, involve conflicting standards, and are ever evolving at a rapid pace. Fortunately the Macintosh Operating System has always been superior to the Microsoft Windows environment for personal and business productivity.

My experience with using Macs began as a sideline around 1993. By that time I had owned and reconfigured several IBM compatible machines several times. I used a Mac PowerBook 180 to record my song conceptions and for word processing. By 1995 I was committed to the Macintosh platform. My former IBM interest faded. Even if I had reason to abandon my fierce love for Macs I would give my loyalty to Linux Open Source before I would even think of supporting the bloated monopoly of Microsoft. In the 1990s, my reasons for adopting the Apple Mac platform were artistic. At that time my computer needs were limited to graphic and writing apps. Currently I write all sorts of things, do tons digital and 35mm photography, compile online directory portals for many segments of the arts, and am working toward many long range pursuits like filmmaking and online journalism. I've been intensively involved with Web design since 1996. The Mac has thus long been my tool of choice. I have owned many and I have dealt with all manner of problems.

My interest in computers was preceded by my constant experimentations with electronics in my youth through the late 1960s. During that period I built short-wave radio kits, electronic instruments and improvisational assemblies. In 1974 or 1975 a tech-minded friend introduced me to the first personal computer I would ever see. I seem to recall it was a kit and he got the plans from a magazine such as Popular Electronics. This was many years before any factory-made personal computers were on the market. At that time we both had an interest in hydroponic control methods.

In 1983 I had my first hands-on use of a computer while doing subscription sales work for a local newspaper. At that time computers were found only in businesses of some size and were still exceedingly rare in homes and small business. Apple launched the first personal computer the following year (1984). My real computer experience began when I took to using a personal computer on a regular daily basis starting in 1990. It was a Radio Shack TRS-80, aka "Trash 80", an IBM compatible. I also worked with an IBM AT. From about 1994 to present there has hardly been a day that I have not spent many hours glued to a desktop computer. I worked with dozens of models and hundreds of software programs. I installed and used a diverse cornucopia of hardware and software.

Since 1993 my abode has been crammed with ever increasing collections of the very best computer how-to books and scores of magazines. The central focus of these publications is usually the Internet, Macs, desktop publishing, and some multimedia. Since about 1985, I have made a constant effort to be aware of approaching technologies and trends in the advancement of personal computers, especially as they effect the ordinary user. But more importantly, there has been an evolution in the process of troubleshooting, an evolution toward relying upon the Internet to track down bug fixes and updated tech info, an evolution toward better technical hardware and software alternatives when assembling and maintaining a working personal computer environment. Beyond the warranty, computer troubleshooting and care are left to the user and anyone he or she might hire. Nearly all computers eventually develop significant problems. My experience arose from the fact that I could not afford to hire techs who typically charge upwards of $75 per hour. I had friends who were self educated techs. By 1997, I was doing Mac tutoring and tech work for hire at very competitive rates.

Some computers expect tech people like myself to know everything. A good computer service person has a wide range of knowledge. But one must consider that there are thousands of software packages for Apple Macintosh computers. There are hundreds of Mac model variations still in daily use. Therefore most techs are focused from personal experience and training.

When meeting with a client, I evaluate any problems and try to provide a reasonable plan before proceeding. Computer troubleshooting usually requires specific methodical approaches. Likewise there are things you do and don't do when doing hardware or software upgrades or computer maintenance. Many users do not have or take the time to do routine preventative maintenance. All computer configurations can and will deteriorate to dangerously unstable condition if specific periodic maintenance is not done rigorously. In addition to service, I offer tutoring in many Macintosh areas suitable for beginners and even some advanced users.

Make no mistake, computers are heaven and hell even after countless years of daily intensive usage. But the ultimate penalty is paid when something goes wrong that could have been prevented. The worst situations usually involve data loss or data corruption. But there is much more to using a computer efficiently than simply dealing with problems. The Macintosh is an extremely powerful tool rarely used to its fullest efficiency and potential. It can do countless things to multiply the productivity of a business. It can also bring productivity, entertainment and massive new information sources into the home.

AppleShooter offers direct services and tutoring at flexible and competitive rates at on-site client locations in the Denver metroplitan area. The links page and glossary are useful resources for supplementary self help. Please click the Contact page to send an email inquiry or call.

Thank you for your interest in AppleShooter!

- Vincent

footnote: AppleShooter began in Denver as "Mac Maniac" around 1997. The MacManiac.com domain name was unavailable since a California business already had that domain name registered. Our second name was Mac2Work with the domain Mac2Work.com. It was original but not ideal. Then the ideal name of AppleShooter <AppleShooter.com> was conceived. Voila!