A local expert for local Teddington families and small businesses.  Giving you the knowledge to care about PC & Internet safety.  For information, click here, contact me NOW.

Parental Advice - Business Support - Child Safety - Virus Prevention - Spam Reduction - Guide to Happy Computing - Safe Surfing - PC Overview - Protect Your Data - Learn Top Tips And Shortcuts - Learn To Use and Exploit Your Computer Without Tearing Out Your Hair!!

An Internet-connected PC is the greatest scientific, educational, and cultural resource available to Man.  It can inform and entertain, but it can have many pitfalls.  I formed SafetyOnTheInternet to help inform Teddington families and businesses of these dangers and how to avoid them, and how to reap the immense benefits of the Internet.  These problems are greatly sensationalised by the media, and I want to help people understand the truth

Throughout this web site you will find TOP TIPS, like the one immediately after this paragraph.  TOP TIPS are my concise guide to a few simple productivity hints to make your computing better, simpler, more fun.  TOP TIPS are my free gift to you, to encourage you to fully explore this very informative web site, detailing the services I can provide to you.

For less than the cost of a plumber to fix a leaky tap, I will spend time with you to help you become aware of, and to understand, the traps and pitfalls.  I will explain to you in layman's terms about the Internet and your PC; the various types of problems which exist; and how to avoid them, or to overcome them if they are encountered.  I will help you achieve the basic computer ability to safely run your business.  I will help you understand what your children are doing with the computer.

Some companies will charge you over £100 to unpack and set up your new computer, and give you a quick overview.  I provide FAR better service and value than that.  And I'll still be here next time you need me.

I first used a computer at school in 1974, programming in PL/1 for a mainframe computer at Kodak, Ruislip.  I have worked in communications in the IT industry for 25 years, most of it using PCs and teaching others.  For most of the 1990s I worked for General Electric, implementing electronic communications projects and training users.  Subsequently I worked for consultancies where my clients have included British Telecom, Cable & Wireless and many well-known City institutions.  Most recently I was involved in data management work for local authorities and police forces.

... and I'm still approachable and friendly and human, whether I'm teaching children or adults, at home or in business, without a load of computer gobbledegook.

In 2002 I decided that I wanted to work more for the good of the community, combined with continuing my love of IT, and my teaching experience.  Thus was created SafetyOnTheInternet.  I totally believe in clear and informed advice, without resorting to the absurd jargon which does so much to confuse all except the few who live for buzz words and acronyms.

The pitfalls of the Internet can include the much-hyped chat rooms, adult oriented sites, money scams, lost data, hoaxes  and email viruses.  In just a few short years we have come to rely on the Internet to such an extent that it is impossible to imagine life without it.  The media is full of the latest shock horror stories, and, in fact, the Internet has become the media.  Unfortunately a lack of knowledge of a few simple ideas means we don't get through the day without hating our computers.  It shouldn't be like that.

I don't believe that the Internet is a great threat to our youth, but there are dangers there.  Drugs, joyriding and violence are much greater causes of harm.  Knowing where children are, and what they are doing is the best way to ensure their well-being.  Teaching them common sense, and knowing what they are up to are the best ways, but modern technology means that children can get in to trouble from the supposed safety of their own homes.

Children in this century grow up using computers, but for an earlier generation it can seem an arcane and mysterious art.  Even those parents who use computers daily at work may not be at all familiar with chat rooms, online messaging, and other aspects of this wonderful system.  Many of your friends and  colleagues may have the same problems.  An informed teenager will delight in sharing knowledge with class mates, and equally, love getting new and exciting tips from friends.  It can be much harder as we get older.

We all know how difficult it can be finding out what Jack or Chloe has been doing while out on a Saturday in the local town.  We all did similar things in our youth, but it is increasingly difficult to find out what children might be doing on their bedroom computer, while we watch TV downstairs.

You can't beat taking an active interest in your child's activities and welfare to ensure their safety, but what if you don't have the knowledge to achieve that?  That's where SafetyOnTheInternet comes in.  I will teach you to understand what the dangers are.  I will tell you actions which can combat these perils.  I will help you identify the Internet resources which can cause dangers, and also those that can be your guidance. 

Did you know that there are programs that can be downloaded from the Internet in seconds which can help users hide their dodgy computer activities?  Many computers even already have such features.  Did you know that even a novice user can learn how to hide programs or illicit activities from the casual (parental) observer?  

Search on the Internet for all or part of an error message you don’t understand.  Sadly, much software is poorly documented, or you may not even have a manual at all.  The first you know of a problem is when you get a bleep and a meaningless message.  Before you close the error box, WRITE IT DOWN!!  Whoever you turn to will ask you what error message you saw. If you can answer that accurately, you will enhance your computer credibility, and make it easier for someone to help you.  If you have nobody to turn to, search for parts of the error message on the Internet.  The chances are that someone else will have had the same problem before you.

If the computer is a family resource it is vital these days to be aware of the problems with computer viruses.  An understanding of this modern problem could save you time and money repairing the damage done in this way.  Software companies often provide free updates to their products, giving greater functionality, and protection against many problems, IF you know HOW to obtain them, and WHAT to do with them.  If you don't know your computer ABCs then let me help you, although these days ABC has become RAM, CD/RW, MB, DVD and I/O!!

• You know your business, but not computers.
• You don't know what data to backup.
• You can't help your children with their homework
• You can't reply to the email your grandchild sent.
• You want to use the Internet for finding competition answers.
• You need to know how to stay ahead of your friends.
• You don't know how to look at the party pictures you were sent.
• You don't even have a computer.
• You want unbiased help before making a computer purchase.
• You worry what your children are up to on the computer
• Your work colleagues are progressing faster than you
• You are a manager and feel threatened by more technical juniors.
• Your class knows more about computers than you do.
• You're always saving documents, but you never find them again.

Many businesses fail due to lack of IT experience, or due to loss of vital data collected over many months or years.  A few hours of focused training can help you double the usefulness of your Small Business Computer Resources.  Let me help you take a step back, reassess your IT needs and set up the basic infrastructure to streamline your business.

For information, click here, contact me NOW.