Updated Safety Procedures and Expanded Computer Services

May 25, 2020 by doctordave

Our goal is always to keep our clients and team safe while delivering the best possible computer service. This week, as more people are out and about, we’ve continued to expand and modify our procedures.

For those clients needing service at our office location, we’re now offering contactless computer repair. Here’s how it works:

After contacting us to make an appointment (all services are by appointment only), we’ll have you authorize the work in advance online. That keeps you from having to sign a form on arrival (no contact!)

When you arrive at your appointment, please stay in your car and wait for our tech to come to the Cider Gallery’s front door. The tech will hold up a dry-erase board with your name (very high tech!) Once the two of you make eye contact, please exit your car with your computer. Our tech will stay behind the glass door.

Next to the front door is a plastic tub marked with “DoctorDave.” Go ahead and place your computer and accessories in the plastic bin. Then proceed to the bottom of the stairs to the Cider Gallery (or the accessible ramp as applicable). Once you’ve achieved that 6-foot safety distance (we’ve marked it with a complimentary basket of bottled water), only then will our tech retrieve your computer.

We’ll be wearing masks and single-use gloves and would appreciate you wearing a mask as well. Once our tech is outside, you’re welcome to ask any questions. We’ll work on your computer and call you when it’s ready to be retrieved. It’s best to wait in your car or nearby.

Upon completion of the work, we’ll send an invoice you can pay with your phone. We’ll also give you a call. When you get to the Cider Gallery, give us a call. We’ll reverse the pickup process. Once you make eye contact and leave your car, please wait at the bottom of the stairs. Our tech will open the glass door and place your computer in the plastic bin. Once the door is closed, please retrieve your computer. If you’re paying by check (we can’t take cash), place it in the bin and proceed to the bottom of the steps.

Our tech will then leave the building, continuing to wear a mask and maintain that six-foot distance. Please feel free to ask any questions at that time. If you have none, we’ll wave goodbye, and thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Other Computer Repair Service Options

If you can get on the internet, we’ll focus on remote computer repair services. We’ve gotten quite good at it. We’re doing computer checkups, virus and other malware removals, hooking up printers and even setting up a new computer remotely.

For those clients that we must see in person; we’ll continue our strict screening questions as well as adhere to our handwashing, sanitation, and disposable/single-use glove policy.

Of course, if you have any questions or suggestions about our safety procedures, please let us know. We’re all in this together, and we take our essential responsibility of keeping people safe and connected exceptionally seriously.

We’re Back to Recycling Again

May 13, 2020 by doctordave

For our Kansas City, Topeka, and Lawrence clients, computer recycling has been a valuable service we provided. We take those computers, remove any personal information, and work with Connecting for Good to help make sure we can bridge the digital divide.

The Need is Greater Than Ever

Then the pandemic hit. This situation caused two problems. One, we had to be very cautious about computers being contagion vectors. While we have advanced procedures to protect our clients, recycling poses a unique challenge. At the same time, the need for computers is greater than ever. They’re in short supply even to buy, and with schools closed, families need these devices more than ever.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve chatted with our recycling partner as well as other computer repair places not just in Lawrence, but all over the world, and we’ve got a solution that we think will work.

We’re going to start accepting recycling from clients – with some caveats – for the immediate future.

Our New Recycling Policies:

Just Computers And Flat-Screen Monitors

(desktops and laptops)

In the past we could take all electronics, and that included old TV/CRT style monitors as well as printers. Connecting for Good charges a small fee for that, but right now, we need to keep their focus on getting computers in the hands of families so we are not taking tube monitors or other non-computer electronics. We can make recommendations when you contact us for recycling those other devices.

Even if it’s old, not-working, cracked, damaged, or whatever, we can take the flat screen computer monitor and the cords that go with them. Laptops are in very high demand right now because they have webcams that can be used for distance learning.

By Appointment Only at Our Office

Until the pandemic, we were happy to take recycling during onsite or office service calls. It’s part of the excellent service we provide our clients.

Upon evaluating the risks, we don’t want to take a device from a client’s home, put it in our car, and then go someplace else. Although the risk is small, we are working to eliminate as much risk as possible.

Therefore, you’re welcome to make an appointment to meet us at our office. Give us a call, and we’ll set it up. No charge of course

Wrapped and Kept Outside

When you decide to recycle your computer, laptop and monitor, please place each one in a trash bag outside for 3-5 days. A back porch is fine. Don’t leave it on the front porch because we don’t want things stolen. If you don’t have a front porch, a garage is the next best thing. If you’re in an apartment, that’s okay. This procedure is a precaution, not a requirement. We do need it put in a trash bag before your appointment.

Leave it Wrapped for Your Appointment

On arrival to your appointment, we’ll direct you to leave it on the sidewalk as we watch it. After you enter your vehicle, we’ll transfer it directly to our vehicle. To prevent cross-contamination, we’ll only accept one client for recycling a day, and it will be the last person we see to minimize the time in our vehicles. We’ll spray it with a sanitizing solution and wrap it again. While it should be sanitized anyways and the virus lives on plastic bags less than metal, we’re doing the extra step. Going the extra mile to keep our clients safe is part of everything we do!

Now’s the Time to Search the Basement and Garage

With so many people spending time at home, lots of people are doing spring cleaning. I know I have. Why not securely get rid of your computers and help a family in the area work and learn from home?

We’re here to help our community!

We’re Still Fixing Computers at Your Home or Office!

March 25, 2020 by doctordave

To fully comply with current the current Douglas County Emergency Order as well as other metro orders, we’re outlining our functions to the community as well as our action plan to keep people safe from Coronavavirus and Covid-10.

We’re Essential, But You Already Knew That

First, we already know that DoctorDave provides essential services to keep desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, tablets, printers and internet connections up and running for those working and learning from home.

Service from DoctorDave Computer Repair falls under “Essential Activities” as specified in section 1.b.ii “To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, to obtain supplies they need to work from home, or to deliver those services”

This means clients can visit us and we can visit clients as people who work from home need working technology.

Further on in section viii the order allows operations by those who support “Internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services)”

We are specifically listed as essential in Section 1.e.xv “Businesses that supply products and services needed for people to work from home; as well as xvi “Businesses that supply other Essential Businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate;”

Section Two of the order requires us to have a plan in place to ensure compliance with Social Distancing, having cleaning products available, having separate hours for vulnerable populations as well as online and remote access. We’re breaking this up into a few sections.

Full Compliance:

Remote Access

While we’ve always been by appointment, this business model is particularly relevant. We will do an over-the-phone diagnosis before initiating any service call. With our experience we can ask questions to determine if remote support, an office visit, or an onsite visit is necessary. Whenever possible, we are going to do a remote support visit whereby we control your computer (with your permission and consent) from our offices or homes. We use above-industry-standard levels of security and encryption for that.

Office Visits

At our office at 810 Pennsylvania we’re establishing the following protocols. Remember these services are by appointment only and we do not accept walkins.

On arrival, a client will be greeted at our glass door. The building is always locked so we’ll be avoiding any direct contact. The door will be pushed open enough to unlatch, but the door will act as a barrier for interaction. Once the client grabs the handle, we will walk up our stairs. The client will then go to the elevator with their computer.

Once the elevator reaches the second floor, the client will be instructed to go to our sanitation station. They’ll leave their devices and sign our intake form. Our technician will wash their hands and put on gloves in the restroom.

That station will have a cloth and spray bottle with 70% isopropyl alcohol. First the station will be sprayed down. Anything brought in by the client will be wiped down. As the technician approaches the station, the client will then be instructed to wash their hands as well. The pen used by the client to sign will also be sanitized.

The technician will then bring the computer into our office. A chair will be placed six feet from that desk. A HEPA air purifier is placed between the client and the technician.

After work is complete, the technician will place the computer at the sanitation station and then go to the restroom to remove gloves and wash hands once again. The client will be instructed to take the computer from the sanitation station and go down the elevator.

Separate Operating Hours

To minimize any cross-contamination, the first appointment of the day will be reserved for vulnerable populations. Since we don’t see more than one client at a time, there is no risk of interacting with others at our office or onsite.

Onsite Appointments

Onsite appointments will be discouraged unless in our professional opinion it is the only way to resolve the client’s issue. We will remind clients of the stay-at-home order and be reminded of their duty to try other options. Whenever possible, we will encourage remote or office appointments.

Our technicians will use hand sanitizer in their car. Upon arrival to a client, we will ask the door to be opened and the client to stand six feet away. We will then ask for a sink in which to wash our hands. After washing our hands, we’ll place gloves on. The computer, mouse and keyboard and any area the technician touches will be wiped with a cloth and spray bottle with 70% isopropyl alcohol. The client will be instructed to stay six feet away at all times.

Upon completion of the work, the technician will return to a sink to remove the gloves and wash hands. The client will then open the door for the technician to leave and will keep a distance of at least six feet the entire time. As we’ve said, we take our duty as an essential service to work, education and recreation very seriously. Your computer is your connection to all of this and we’re going to keep it up and running while protecting you and ourselves.