What I Do
Tech support for humans. No contract. No nonsense.
I’m the IT guy for people who can’t stand IT guys.
Technology is supposed to make your life easier. When it doesn’t, you need someone who can figure out what’s wrong, fix what needs fixing, and explain what happened without making you feel like an idiot.
I’m Louis Barney Katz. I spent 23 years running Technolene, an IT services business serving more than 200 clients. These days, through ITPTSD, I focus on helping individuals, families, independent professionals, and small businesses solve the technology problems that get in their way.
You don’t need a monthly contract, a complicated service plan, or an IT department. You just need help.
What I Can Help With
Computers & Software
Macs, PCs, laptops, desktops, and the software that drives you crazy.
Slow computers, crashes, error messages, updates, installation problems, configuration headaches, new-computer setup, and the mysterious things that worked perfectly yesterday.
Email, Accounts & Cloud Services
Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Outlook, Gmail, OneDrive, Google Drive, and the rest of the cloud.
Email problems, account access, password headaches, file synchronization, cloud storage, software subscriptions, and getting your various devices to play nicely together.
Wi-Fi & Networking
Your internet connection may be fast, but that doesn’t mean anything if your devices can’t use it.
Wi-Fi problems, routers, switches, wireless coverage, network configuration, shared resources, and connectivity issues in homes and small offices.
Smartphones, Tablets & Connected Devices
iPhones, Android phones, iPads, tablets, and the increasingly bewildering collection of devices competing for your attention.
Setup, configuration, synchronization, email, apps, connectivity, and getting everything to work together.
Home Offices & Small Businesses
You have a business to run. You don’t need to become an IT expert along the way.
Workstations, printers, scanners, shared files, software, remote access, new equipment, and the everyday technology problems that interrupt your work.
Whether you need help once or occasionally, I’m available without requiring an ongoing managed-services agreement.
Backups & Data Protection
Your files are irreplaceable. Your computer isn’t.
I can help you choose, configure, and troubleshoot backup solutions for your computers and cloud services. I can also help you understand what your existing backups actually protect, and what they don’t.
If you’ve already lost something, I can help evaluate your recovery options.
Technology Advice & Vendor Coordination
Sometimes the problem isn’t technical. It’s figuring out whom to call, what to buy, or whether the person selling you something knows what they’re talking about.
I can help you evaluate equipment and services, work with vendors and internet providers, troubleshoot problems involving multiple companies, and translate the technical explanations into plain English.
What I Don’t Do
I don’t operate a computer hardware-repair shop, replace cracked screens, or perform component-level repairs. I don’t do major cabling, electrical work, or construction.
And while I can help small businesses with everyday technology problems, I’m not trying to replace a full-service managed IT provider responsible for enterprise infrastructure, continuous monitoring, formal compliance, or comprehensive cybersecurity management.
When a job calls for a different specialist, I’ll tell you. I work with other technology professionals and service providers, and I’m happy to help you find the right person.
For Businesses & Technology Professionals
A little backup for the jobs that don’t fit.
Not every customer needs a managed-services contract. Not every support request belongs in a help desk queue. And not every technology company wants to spend its afternoon troubleshooting someone’s home printer.
That’s where I come in.
I welcome referrals from managed IT providers, computer repair shops, home technology installers, consultants, and other professionals whose customers occasionally need straightforward, one-on-one assistance.
I can also provide occasional, project-specific support for businesses that need an extra pair of experienced hands.
My goal is simple: take good care of the people you send my way, respect your existing customer relationships, and make you glad you referred them.
How It Works
$125 per hour. No long-term contract required.
I provide onsite support in Boise and the Treasure Valley, and remote assistance wherever a problem can reasonably be solved over an internet connection.
You’ll deal directly with me, not a call center or a revolving cast of technicians.
I’ll tell you what I think the problem is, what I recommend doing about it, and when something isn’t worth fixing.