If your PC has a problem, what are you going to do? Will you unplug each tangled cord, awkwardly carry the computer to your car and drive it into town to seek the advice of an expert?

Garrett Story thinks that’s unnecessary and inconvenient. He says that’s why 90 percent of his clients at Story Software Solutions get house calls.

“I want to be the point of contact. I want to be out there meeting my customers,” he said.

Story graduated from Homer High School in 1988 before moving to Colorado, where he dabbled in hotel management. He decided it wasn’t for him and went back to school to become a software engineer.

After graduation he worked in Denver for large companies like Global Crossing and Symantec. In 2005, he and his family — wife, Carrie, and children, Christopher and John — moved back to Homer.

“It’s a different atmosphere,” he said. “It’s a better place to raise kids. Denver’s getting a little out of hand.”

Story started his business last spring.

“I’m starting slow, feeling out the market,” he said.

Story’s customers range from home PC users to small and medium-sized businesses. He offers a variety of software and hardware services, including software installation, Web site creation and maintenance, and wireless network setup. He also answers a lot of questions from computer users who have received error messages or informational alerts on their screens and don’t know what to do.

“There’s a need for education on the basics,” he said. “People are afraid to touch it. They’re afraid to deviate from the two or three things they know.”

To that end, Story offers basic Windows training. He also hopes to teach outreach classes at Homer Public Library to familiarize users with the technology.

“That would be one way to come in and get some basics,” he said.

For “very specific and high end needs,” Story said he can build a custom PC to meet a customer’s demands.

Right now, Story Software Solutions is run out of Story’s home. Customers drop off and pick up their problem computers and Story brings home what he can’t fix on site. In the future, though, he’s hoping to expand into an office space and start carrying computer parts and equipment.

“This feels like it can be a successful business,” he said. “Things are heading in the right direction.”

Garrett Story and Story Software Solutions can be reached at 299-1144.