Boulder firm has answers, or knows just whom to ask

AnswerSquad is connecting perplexed computer users with the technologically savvy through a new Web-based service.

The Boulder-based company, whose motto is "Tech questions? We wrote the book," has assembled a group of 12 high-profile technology and computer book authors to answer technical questions for its subscribers at www.answersquad.com.

For a monthly fee of $25, subscribers can ask as many questions as they want and discuss any technology topics with the authors and other members, said AnswerSquad founder Dave Taylor. Areas of expertise range from Windows XP to Microsoft Office, C++ programming to Unix and Linux system administration, Mac OS X to Python and Java to .NET, he said.

"This group has a phenomenal amount of experience answering questions -- ranging from simple explanations to complex technical matters," said Taylor, who is the author of best-selling books such as "Teach Yourself Unix in 24 Hours" and "Solaris 9 for Dummies."

He said he launched the site, which debuted July 23, in response to the many e-mail queries for support he receives from readers and the general public.

"I have always been interested in whether that interaction was scalable -- whether I could answer more questions in a more efficient manner," he said. "Communicating with other writers, I found that many of us shared this desire and also wanted to expand it to a more general interaction."

Taylor said the AnswerSquad experts, who have written more than 100 books all together, are adept at all major computing platforms, many popular applications and Web-site creation tools.

They're also all professional communicators, he said, which sets the company apart from competitors.

"One of the main frustrations that people have with tech-support solutions, even in-house IT, is that techies tend not to speak the same language as the rest of us," he said. "We've got that problem solved by focusing on top-notch communicators."

So far, Taylor is not aware of any direct competition to his new Web service.

Though many computer companies have technical support, they tend to be expensive and only solve problems with their own software, he said.

Online consultants such as Google Answers will field queries, but Taylor said you have to pick a specific expert before you ask your question, rather than tapping a collective group of experts.

And off-line consultants usually have only one area of expertise, he added.

"So questions about financial modeling in Excel, debugging a database installation and figuring out why you can't get your Linux server to talk with your new Mac laptop are too far afield for any one individual," he said. "But not for AnswerSquad."

Microsoft gives locally

Denver Children's Home has $250,000 in its coffers to improve technology in its classrooms, thanks to a grant from Microsoft.

The nonprofit, which provides residential and outpatient care for deeply disturbed children, received $30,000 from the software giant to completely refurbish its computer lab. The grant also includes more than $200,000 in software applications, licensing and hardware for the school.

"My feet have not touched the ground since I found out that we had received the grant," said Chris Hopon, the Denver Children's Home computer teacher who originally set up the computer lab. "This has been such a difficult school year ... but this grant has totally energized me. I'm already thinking about the things the students will be able to do with new technology."

Scott Johnson, general manager for Microsoft's Rocky Mountain District, said his company and Denver Children's Home share a vision for empowering people and communities to realize their potential and create better futures through access to technology.

"Thanks to Denver Children's Home, we have a great opportunity to achieve this vision of providing kids of all ages and circumstances with the resources and skills they need to realize their potential," he said. "Together we're making great strides toward reaching this goal."

Nanotechnology seminar planned

The DaVinci Institute will join the recent flurry of interest in nanotechnology with an upcoming "Night with a Futurist" discussion aimed at the future of this elusive industry.

The event, which will be held on Monday, Aug. 4, from 7-9 p.m. at the Cheshire Cat Brewpub, 7803 Ralston Road in Old Town Arvada, will broach the topic "Did You Know That 'Nano' Means Dwarf? But Nanotechnology Also Means Megabucks."

Speaker Louis Hornyak, a research scientist at the University of Denver and co-founder of the Colorado Nanotechnology Initiative, will give a primer on nanotechnology and discuss what Colorado needs to do to take full advantage of the burgeoning field.

The seminar is free of charge for DaVinci Institute members and $20 for non-members.

For more information, visit www.nightwithafuturist.com.