BusiFix Computers is owned and run by me, Barry Starling.
I live and breath computers and believe that they should do what you want them to do. To me it does not matter if your computer is old or not state of the art. What matters to me is that the computer does what you want to do. Remember, a computer from 2005 was more than capable of running a business producing letters and spreadsheets and if that is all you need a computer to do then why not use an eight year old computer? I am more than happy to keep an eight year old computer running.
My computer history
I started programming when I was 9 years old on a BBC Model B computer at Long Bennington School. My parents bought me a Sinclair ZX Spectrum in 1983 which I started programming by entering in the code from Sinclair User magazine, a magazine which eventually listed my games for others to type in.
I then progressed to a Spectrum +2 and then on to the amazing Atari ST 520STFM before buying my first PC running Microsoft Windows 3.11 for Workgroups. Each time I was taking them to bits, repairing them and writing applications and games for them.
In 1988 I started my working career for RHP Bearings in Newark, now called NSK. RHP put me through a comprehensive training programme which had me writing applications for ICL VME Mainframes using CoBOL and IDMS(X) databases. In 1996 I left RHP and became a contract programmer where I wrote applications and supported systems for British Gas (3 years in Solihull and Leeds) and Axa Insurance (3 years in Kendal).
Whilst at Axa Insurance I started writing applications for Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s) including the Compaq iPaq. These devices were the forerunners of smart phones but without the phone part!
In 2002 I got my first game programming job with Mazooma Games in Newark and wrote Jackpot Pool, a multi-player pool game where you could win a £25 jackpot. The game was very successful mainly because it would run on both new and very old hardware.
In 2003 I set up FastFix Computers that was initially on Victoria Street in 2003 and then moved to George Street in 2005. At FastFix Computers I repaired both home and business computers both in the shop and on-site for local companies. In 2007 I sold FastFix Computers to local accountants Duncan & Toplis as they wanted to expand their customer base for computer support. At this time I was supporting 360 business computers in and around Newark…. On my own!
In 2007 I returned to contract programming. This time I spent 5 years with Greenzone Facilities Management in Newark writing a computer system to control suppliers, help desk, accounts, quoting and management reporting.
In November 2012 I set up BusiFix Computers, returning to fixing computers and laptops, a job I love.
As computer security is becoming a big problem I qualified as a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) in 2018. This enables me to see if and how your computer was hacked and what back doors have been left by the attacker. I can also test the security of your business network (PenTest) and advise on how to protect your data.
I still write computer software for small business’s, if your company requires bespoke software writing then please contact me. I specialise in desktop applications using either Access or SQL databases. Since starting BusiFix Computers I have written an Ohm’s calculator for a local manufacturer to give to their customers, an application for a business consultant to help his clients make more sales and an accounts package to help reduce tax for self-employed people.
