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The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, Api 1 2003-9 Self-described local computer 2!eek hnoks up with Nerds On Site servicing company BY STVELeBLANC The Champion Hi, I'm a nerd. It's hard to pic- ture this as a successful uopening lime in any facet of life - including the business world. But for hundreds of computer consult- ants across North America, it's a cail- ing card that's gaining plenty of atten- tion. And i's the tbinking behind this unusuai slo- gan that attracted self-professed computer geek Greg Beaumont to, Nerds On Site - a computer service finn blossoming on both sides of thc bor- der, as well as in South Africa. The 41 -year-old Miltonian was certainly no rookie to, the computer consulting racket before hooking up with Nerds On Site earlier this year. He's been involved in the indusn-y bis entire working ife - after spending his teenage years building computers ai borne while bis older brothers toiled away at a television repair busi- ness - and bas serviced just about every client possible, [rom 'mom and pop' users to Fortune 500 companies. But Mr. Beaunmont liked wbat hie heard durusg a recent encounter with Nerds On Site personnel. And it wasn't long before hie was one of them. "'Actually, I've been a Nerd ail along," explained Milton's lone E-Nerd, who holds an bonourary PhD. fromn Western University for bis work witb three-dimensional databases in tbe early '80s. "I'm truly a computer nerd. On eacb call we say 'M, l'in a nerd' and then wait for tbe laugbter to die down. Everybody gets a kick out of it." Now equipped witb a little red Beetle, affec- tionately known as a Nerd Mobile witbin the business, Mr. Beaumont said is new company differs [rom many of its industry rivaIs in two key areas. Firstly, Nerds On Site bas dispensed with the more traditional bourly fée in favour of a fiat- rate system - wbicb not only belps ensure a Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Long-time cOmputer consultant Grog Beaumont la among the nowost mombers of Nords On Site. consultant's efficiency but ofien means savings for the customer. And wbiie some servicing fmns merely recti- fy Uic problem, Nerds On Site explains wby it bappened to begin with and bow it can be avoid- ed in Uic future. Added Mr. Beaumont, "We really try to de- mystify Uic computer in plain Englisb. We've got normal speak and nerd speak. I fact Uiat's one of Uicetbings we're graded on - did your E- Nerd explain things to you and provide a better understanding of your computer? Tbat's essen- tial. "We've got a monto bere tbat Uiere are no stu- pid questions." That type of fondamental explanation is a rnucb more necessary Uian many people migbt imagine. Wbile computer use bas fltered into, pretty mucb every area of life since tbe Atari/Commodore 64 era, Mr. Beaumont said Uiere are still many users wiUiout a genuine knowledge of how their macbines work - or wbat they're really capable of. "Tbere are some people wbo arent getting tbe real benefit out of their computer," be explained. "Tbey buy one, bring it borne and then think 'Ob, 1 better not toucb tbis or sometbing will break'." That kind of apprehension can be a particular stumbling block nowadays, since the main- streain birtb of e-mail forwards and digital pbo- tography. lt's uses like that wbicb make persona] com- puter owners feel just as reliant on tbeir machines as business people wbo depend on them to mun their operations. "Mom and pop users are pretty passionate about their computers. lt's really become Uic social nonn rather Uian Uic exception," said Mr. Beaumont. Now pant of a tbrce-man tearn Uiat splits its tirne between servicing and cold calling, Mr. Beaumont and bis Nerd Mobile is quickly becorning a familiar site across Halton. But Nerds On Site is always looking to boost its visibility, and to Uiat end its Milton newcorn- er is in the process of belping organize an E- NERD parade in town. "Tbe little red cars reaily create a stir,' said Mn. Beaumont, referrrng to similar events be's wit- nessed and participated in. For more information about Nerds On Site, or to book an appointment, cali (416) 684-4885 or visit its Web site at www.nerdsonsite.com. Steve LeBlanecocn be reached at ONTARTO MORIGAGE ACTION CENTRE LTDI99 "Your First Choice in Morîgage Financin g" PURCHASES *RENEWALSFTRANSFERS * REFINANCES * PRE-APPROVALS *E YEA 4- 5SOIS .EPHONE/ON»LINE APPLICATIONS* CALL TODAY!!! VISIT OUR NEW OFFICE IN MILTONMALL SHOPPING CENTRE (905) 875-2333 E WWW.OMAC-MORTGAGESCOM HEAD OFFICE 131 WHARNCLIFFE RD. LONDON 1*-OLC. RATES SUBJECT TO CHANOI 1 VARIABLE 2 a 24 0/o * 9 à 9