Early history

I’ve been fascinated with computers and technology since as long as I can remember. My first computer was a Tandy 1000 that only ran DOS off of those huge 5.25″ floppy disks. The first big upgrade was a Cyrix 386 which ran at a whopping 33mhz, but with Windows 3.1 and a mouse the whole experience was changed. I was hooked.

I didn’t have much instruction, so I had to learn as I went. I would break things, then have to learn how to fix them. Knowing how to re-install Windows, the operating system, became a necessary tool to have in my kit. Via the internet I subscribed to free computer parts catalogs, which were like adult magazines to me.

I worked a summer job to buy my next computer, an AMD K6-2 @ 475mhz from one of the catalogs. This is when I began learning how to work on and troubleshoot the hardware, as I added a CD-RW drive and video card. Later, I ordered a motherboard to pair up with a Pentium III 500mhz chip which a kind friend gave me. That was the first major internal operation I had completed, and the system ran amazingly after the chip upgrade! I was proud of my rig, as shown by the decals.

In high school I entered the computer science program, learned C++ programming and competed in the 2003 UIL State competition. It was a small town and I began to help friends and relatives with their computers.

Post college

I began troubleshooting dial-up internet connection issues and fielding general support related questions for  Momentum Online in 2006. Soon, I was assisting in the computer repair department and making some on site service calls. I furthered my knowledge and began supporting networking and wireless connections.

Before parting ways with the company, I ran the Computer Repair Department, was a Level 2 Wireless Network Technician, maintained the computers at several of the local offices and businesses, and assisted with the build-out and monitoring of a wireless network that spanned several counties and provided hundreds of homes and businesses with high-speed internet access.

In 2008 I moved to Austin and joined Apple as an Apple Care Telephone Support Technician. This was an amazing opportunity to learn the OS X operating system and how to troubleshoot a Mac or iDevice. I had an all-time customer satisfaction metric of 95% and received over 50 “completely satisfied” customer responses in a row.

When not working for Apple, I continued to repair computers for friends, family, and new clients.

After Apple

Choosing not to seek employment in the tech industry, I opened Rick’s Computer Shop for business and have been providing tech services to individuals and businesses in the Austin and  hill country area.