Keeping up with advances in technology requires constant adaptation.
That's the approach of Hightech Computers owner Trevor Schofield when he helps his clients, young and old, across the South Cariboo. Schofield said that while he knows that tech and the online world can be intimidating, but the more you're exposed to it, the easier it will get.
"There's always a lot more to learn. It's changing constantly and if you're not learning something every day you're going to get left behind," Schofield remarked. "Everything these days is technology-based, so it's not going to go away, it's only going to get more evolved. If you can get comfortable with it it's going to be a lot easier and you can find more fulfilment."
Originally from Squamish, Schofield first moved to the South Cariboo in 2017 after buying a home on Green Lake. Now a resident of Horse Lake since 2022 Schofield, who studied microbiology and and genetics, has always worked with tech one way or the other. Growing up he was often the go-to guy in his family and after arriving in the South Cariboo he began to help out his neighbours from time to time with computer-related issues.
Schofield said that those he helped started spreading the word about him and he started getting more and more calls. Before long what started out as a hobby became a part-time job and eventually a full time on.
"It happened by accident. I started doing this as a part-time side gig when I first came up here but then I started getting more and more of a client base and eventually Alex from Hightech Computer decided he wanted to retire and asked if I wanted to buy his phone number. I hopped onto that and the phone just kept on ringing," Schofield said.
For the last three years now Schofield has ranged across the South Cariboo, from Cache Creek up to Williams Lake, helping people with their computers, printers and other technology. He estimates that on average he sees 30 different clients a week making house calls or taking their devices home to work on.
While Schofield says his client base ranges in age from teenagers buying their first gaming laptops to seniors trying to troubleshoot issues with their desktops, the majority of his calls come from those 65 and older. He estimates roughly 70 per cent of the customers he deals with are seniors who he helps with a wide range of issues.
"I deal a lot with Carefree Manor and the seniors there and its email issues, printers, configuration issues, computers just not running the right way, setting up remote controls, you name it," Schofield said. "Everything has a little bit of technology built into it these days and nothing really works the way its supposed to all the time so there is always a need to tinker with things."
The main issues seniors come to him with include issues with printers, recovering email passwords and helping seniors navigate ransomware and malware. Schofield said seniors are especially susceptible to online scams and general fraud which can plague the runway internet user.
Schofield said this is especially bad on free online advertising sites, such as Facebook and even the Weather Network. Many of these sites have built-in banners or pop-up ads that seniors will often unintentionally click on. This can sometimes lead to pop-ups telling them their computers have been compromised with the attached phone numbers leading to fraud of some kind.
"Those are usually the bulk of my calls and then when I get there it's 'we fixed this, let's deal with something else', Schofield said.
When asked how seniors can avoid these issues, Schofield said it's important to remember that if you're not paying for a product, you are the product especially online. Sites like Facebook make their money by selling customers' data and by serving ads that may not be in a user's best interests. Being cautious about where you go online and who you talk to is key, as is having a healthy dose of scepticism.
"If at any point you feel that something isn't on the up and up, it's easy enough just to close it and walk away. Don't feel any obligation to follow through on anything," Schofield said. "Not to say that all the Internet is bad, a lot of it is fantastic and can be a great tool but it's not all roses."
Schofield said that many seniors who didn't grow up with the internet and computers, like younger generations, will want to keep up with it. That's why he offers one-on-one lessons with some clients to help walk them through using the internet, computers or whatever the latest new piece of tech is.
"I have them write down a list of 10 things they want to learn. Whether it's how to transfer photos, how to send an attachment or even setting up full computers at their home. Anything I offer as a full service I'm willing to sit down and teach them as well," Schofield said.
Another good way to keep abreast of changes in technology or to find the answers to a tech-related question includes watching YouTube videos, Schofield noted, or asking a younger family member or friend. Failing that Schofield said he is always willing to act as a sounding board to help people navigate issues. He can be reached via 250-395-4243 or info@hightechcomputers.ca.
One thing Schofield noted that the entire community should be aware of is that if they have a PC that runs Windows 10, Microsoft plans to suspend security support for this operating system in October 2025. This means that Windows 10 will become more susceptible to security threats going forward.
"Microsoft is really pushing everyone to migrate to Windows 11. Computers do need upgrading and this Windows 11 update is generally a hardware update. You need a new computer, especially if you have something that has been sitting around for a couple of years," Schofield said. "I'm getting a lot of people who still run Windows 7 or before, but it's getting slow. We can't really make it run faster, you need a new computer.
"The nice thing is computers have come down in price, it's not $3,000 you can get a reasonable one for $800."
