I need some technical computer support for my home computer. So i am
pretty much looking for a personal "it-guy" (or gal!). Here's what i
need done:
- i want to set up my eml (eudora, MS outlook whatever, it just needs
to link to my yahoo acct, my hotmail account and my ISP eml account)
- i want to set up a way to regularly back-up the data on my
harddrive. (i have a cdrw and a 100 MB zip)
- i want to be able to manage my palm data, create lots of back-ups
and integrate it into my other programs

Those are the basic things i want done. Realistically, I could
probably figure out how to do all these things, but my time is short
AND i recently deleted all of my palm data so I feel like working with
a professional would be a good choice.

So here is my question: 
(1) I live in the SF Bay Area (near Palo Alto) -- what organizations
exist that can provide you with a personal it-support person for
at-home networking and data management?
(2) How much will this cost? Can i purchase a set amount of time i'll
want from this person / company a year (i.e. Upfront purchase of 6
hours of technical support?)

In order for this question to be appropriately answered, i will need
more than one resource to follow-up with. I would like a minimum of
three.

thanks. If you need clarfication, please ask for it before answering
my question.

Bonus question: I accidentally deleted the my documents folder on my
windows 2000 dell computer, how do i get the folder back? i can create
a shortcut to the folder, but i can't get the actual folder
back...what do i do?

I've always done this type of personal consulting, in addition to the
business consulting that is my major income source. It's fun for me --
I've taught specialized computing classes from K-12, adult ed, and
junior college level, when I've had the time. I live in a small town,
so my reputation and word-of-mouth would be enough to keep me busy
daily, if that were to be my choice. When I was new to area, I
advertised in the local classifieds under Computer Services. I'm
positive one of the local daily newspapers, like the San Jose Mercury,
would have a similar classified heading, and a number of consultants
to select from. You're practically in the buckle of the Tech Belt
there in Palo Alto. Another possible 'point of contact' might be the
Computer Science Department at Stanford University. Grad students
frequently supplement their income with this type of consulting.

In selecting a consultant:

DO ask for references, and contact them.

Establish a good rapport over the telephone before booking an
appointment - look for communication in non-techspeak.

Inquire about hourly rates, and minimum house calls. Minimum hourly
rate would be $50, and considering the area, possibly as high as $100
or $125. Many such consultants establish a two or four hour minimum as
well.  In paying these type of hourly rates you'll be dealing with
someone who feels their services are valuable, and can accomplish the
tasks in a minimum period of time.

Make sure the consultant has at least some knowledge of your hardware.
Read directly from the specifications that are on your computer system
invoice, if necessary. For instance, I will accept certain jobs
involving Mac software, but nothing with hardware. I'm a PC
specialist, and know my limitations.

Watch and listen closely. If you're lost in the first 15 minutes, ask
that the level of explanation be made simpler. I'd much rather know
that you understand what I'm teaching, even if it takes longer to
explain more simply. This type of consultant is like a personal
shopper. They shouldn't be satisfied until you are.

I hope this helps.

= larre =

I think that Palo Alto located company
http://www.itmcomputing.com/
fits your needs.

Also useful may be links to San Jose located Computer Training
Consultants
ctcsharon@aol.com
(looks like no web page, email only), and
Palo Alto hardware seller
http://www.paloaltomicro.com/
which also notes about consulting.

What concerns price I think it would be better to mail them and ask
about your needs.

Thank you Laare and elevener! your information was very, very helpful.

This is regarding your post about deleteing the 'My documents' folder.
Do you mean it as in you've deleted it off of your desktop, but it
still exists everywhere else? Or you've deleted the actuall folder
(located inside of c:\ somewhere)?

Thanks!
-matt

Matt -- 
i deleted the My Documents folder off of the desktop -- it still
exists and since I had a shortcut to it on my Toolbar i duplicated
that shortcut and now have shortcut to the folder...but not the
original folder....
thanks for your help!
svc

In response to your bonus question I believe with a program called
TweakUI you can pick the default icons that appear on your desktop.

Go here to get it:

http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/downloads/PowerToys/Networking/NTTweakUI.asp

This will give you an icon in Control Panel that will allow you to, in
addition to many other tweaks, pick the system icons (My Documents)
that appear on you desktop.

Good luck,
Jeremy

About the deleted folder..You say you have the shortcut/but /no
Origional?..on any folder...Right-Click go to "Properties" and Click
The 'Find Target' Tab..It Will Show you the entire Path...ROCK
ON..."Chrome"