My name is Sam Jackson. I am an undergrad student at Iowa State University pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Political Science.
Growing up in the Orono/Long Lake area, I have had the privilege of working with everybody from small business owners to senior citizens to make technology work best for them.
As a student and lifelong learner, I have a passion for helping people better understand and use technology to truly improve their lives. Far too often we see instances where technology becomes more of a problem than a solution, which can be extremely frustrating! Whether you need help with something in your home, or IT guidance for your small business, I am here to help.
In my spare time, you will find me on the lake sailing, cheering on the Cyclones, or out for a summer drive.
Far too often we see technology becoming more of a problem than a solution in today's ever-changing world. With the adoption of new technology, gadgets, and services, we become increasingly dependent on volatile systems and lose a chunk of our autonomy.
I have worked with clients across the spectrum of technology implementation, and understand the hesitance they feel towards the adoption of emerging products. Many of my clients agree that it is extremely helpful to have a third-party consultant assist them in their navigation of tech, helping them find the right product for their needs and guiding them towards a better option when available.
I have and will continue to work under a client-first philosophy. This means that my opinions are those of my own, and I remain largely brand-agnostic when possible. I only recommend platforms, services, and products that I have reason to believe will serve my clients well. No corporate shills, no hostile upselling, and no commissions on product sales. After getting to know the needs and goals of my clients, as well as any budget constraints, I provide the best advice I can offer. Some may be surprised to learn that this may not always be the most expensive, nor the most technologically sophisticated!
One of my favorite examples of my technology philosophy is the Zune.
In a world where Spotify and Apple Music are far more common than this relic of the past, we find ourselves beholden to pricy subscriptions and a sense that we need to keep up-to-date with the latest smartphone model and subscription models.
This purpose-built piece of technology serves as a music player, and nothing more. While it lacks the sophistication of a modern smartphone, it plays music as intended, has zero advertisements, and provides far superior audio quality to what many streaming services offer.
It may be a trinket from a bygone era, but the Zune is an excellent illustration of technology that solves a problem without introducing more. As long as it continues to play music, there is no reason to replace it with another product.
1 Found in the May 1962 edition of the Combat Crew magazine. Origin unknown.