The City of Minneapolis and many community partners will offer free computer repair and technology support at an upcoming “Fix-It Tech” event on April 22 at Twin Cities R!SE, 1301 Bryant Ave. N., from 1 to 5 p.m.
If folks have a computer or laptop that is running slow, not working or appears to have a virus, they are encouraged to bring it in (with power cords) for free tech support. Volunteers at these events will teach valuable repair skills, answer questions, and give technical advice about computers and laptops. Computers and laptops will be looked at on a first-come, first-served basis. The consultation and labor are free, and volunteers can offer advice on purchasing parts online or at local repair stores. Volunteers may be able to help with smartphones and tablets depending on capacity.
Technology changes all the time, and a 2014 community technology survey showed that residents overall are not comfortable troubleshooting computer problems, installing software or backing up files, or protecting themselves online. Fix-It Tech events let attendees ask questions and learn how to do these tasks themselves.
The events also help community members see people like themselves doing this work and consider information technology as a career path. The volunteers get hands-on experience in problem-solving with help from onsite instructors.