Phuket ‘Geekfest’ set for June 20

PHUKET: Phuket’s Sunday-morning Computer Clinics turn three years old on June 20, when a gala ‘Geekfest’ will feature food, fun, and – most importantly – answers to your most pressing computer questions.

“The Computer Clinics bring together PC users, from complete novices to Phuket’s most knowledgeable PC gurus. Everybody has questions – which Internet connection works best, where to take a PC for repair, how to build a website, or clean out viruses. We all try to solve each others’ problems,” says “Khun Woody” Leonhard, author of many For Dummies books, Phuket Gazette computer columnist, and Microsoft MVP.

From humble beginnings three years ago to large gatherings nowadays that frequently run standing-room-only, the free-of-charge clinics have drawn international attention and recognition.

“It’s a group effort. Phuket is home to a wide variety of computer experts. Heaven knows we all have computer problems. Combine that with a stream of news, particularly about Internet service in Phuket, and trail-blazer experiences with mobile phones, high def TV, online banking, home security and the like, and you can see why the clinics have become so popular,” said Mr Leonhard.

The all-volunteer effort has grown beyond the confines of the weekly meetings. Phuket now has the most comprehensive Internet speed reporting site in Southeast Asia, at live-access.com/PhuketInternet.aspx, where anyone can see current download speeds and compare Internet service offerings all over the island.

A series of seminars, now fully booked, explain how to create travel logs, using simple PC tools. There’s a new Twitter site, here, that delivers up-to-the-minute news tweets about using PCs in Phuket. Work is also underway to refurbish used PCs and donate them to local charities. More seminars are in the works.

“We welcome everyone – from people just starting out with PCs to advanced users with specific problems, to vendors with products or services to show or sell, to folks who want to know which TV or phone to buy. It’s all free, all of the time. Bring your PC if you can, and join us,” says Mr Leonhard.

Co-sponsored by Khun Woody’s Sandwich Shoppes and the Phuket Gazette, the clinics run every Sunday morning from 10am to noon. Locations rotate among the Sandwich Shoppes on the island. The June 13 gathering will be at the Sandwich Shoppe near the entrance to Laguna.

And the 3rd year anniversary Geekfest happens on June 20 at the Sandwich Shoppe in Chalong.

For more details of all these meetings, see the Gazette’s Events Calendar.