Self-proclaimed Computer Nerds Make House Calls

By Karen Auge
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Landers and his wife, Caryn, fix computers and solve software mysteries.

They'll fix computers in your home or in your office. They'll tell you how to get on the Internet or how to get off. They'll lift the hood and take a look at your malfunctioning motherboard. They'll design a software system that enables you to keep inventory, calculate profit and loss and otherwise get a handle on your business.

They call themselves Beep-a-Geek.

Landers said he has taken a lot of ribbing about his business's name in the two years since it was launched.

He has also taken a lot of checks.

"We've had people call us only because of the name," which Caryn Landers thought up, he said.

Those who call because of the name often call back because of the service. Dennis Slechta, owner of Panda Embroidery in Grapevine, has called several times.

"We're afraid to install even new software here. We're truly that illiterate," Slechta said. "We just beep a geek, and he comes by, and he does it for us and charges a fair price."

Slechta, who said Panda Embroidery stitches company logos and slogans on T-shirts, ball caps and other items, said Tim Landers recently helped him link his embroidery machines in a single network.

"I had a hardware provider in Portland that offered equipment I thought was what I wanted, so I asked Tim if he would see if it was," Slechta said.

He did, and it was.

Landers calls himself a lifelong computer nerd. He booted up his first PC - a Tandy model officially called TRS80 and affectionately known as a "trash 80" when he was a fourth-grader -- about 18 years ago.

As an adult, he worked as an audio engineer until be got laid off in 1995.

"I decided I was young enough to strike out on my own," said the 26-year-old entrepreneur.

"I saw a need for on-site computer service. People don't take sinks in to the plumber. But they expect to have to take the computer into the store. That's not right."

From his office in his Euless home, Landers not only makes house calls, usually within a day or two of a cry for help, but he doesn't charge his minimum $50-an-hour fee if he can't solve the problem.

Since the Landers started their business in 1995, they have done everything from creating software systems for businesses to plugging in and starting up a home computer.

Being a sort of Johnny Appleseed of computer literacy, Tim Landers has learned a bit about people while solving the vexations of technology.

He teaches senior citizens looking for new ways to communicate with far-flung children and online grandchildren how to use E-mail. And he said he has verified what most people suspect: Teen-agars and children are the quickest computer studies.

And Landers said he has helped lots and lots of people running businesses out of their homes.

Lately, he has seen a growing number of people wanting to be shown an entrance to the information superhighway.

"And I'm starting to see people who are doing their genealogy."

A growing number of people believe that personal computers, once exorbitant luxury items, are indispensable, he said.

Landers isn't so sure of that.

"I think they're just big toys."