With 46 years in the computer industry, Dan Downing has lots of expertise to share and he's been doing just that, offering his time at the Community Center for the past three weeks. On Sept. 2, 9 and 16, Downing gave advice to those looking for help with questions about using technology. 

His background includes a small software company in the early years of personal computing and moving up to larger companies in the Boston area. He started a consulting business in 1994 and built and sold two companies along the way. One of Downing's companies provided performance testing for websites and included clients Kmart and Autotrader.

In 2015, Downing and wife Linda retired to Florida's Gulf Coast. Retirement didn't end his interest in technology and he continued consulting, but this time as a volunteer.  "There was a community site almost next door and I offered to help people with their technology," he explained. "I was flooded with calls."

Downing was glad to respond to neighbors asking for help with iPads, cell phones, computers and smart televisions. "It kept me engaged," he said. "People appreciated the help and there was a huge need for it." 

Early this summer, the Downings became full-time summer residents of Boothbay Harbor. When Dan began looking for a volunteer job, it was suggested that he offer to help people with technology. With that, the three Tuesday sessions at the Community Center began, offering his help with questions on "anything tech-related," as the Center notes explained.

In response, community members brought Downing a variety of questions, including cell phones that needed to be set up and a computer infected with malware.Downing meets each question with a great deal of patience. "Every situation is different. You have to gauge how familiar people are with the concepts," he said. "So you know how to talk with them."

Issues brought to his Sept. 16 session included passwords, the cloud, system id's and basic navigation through computer screens. His ability to translate technology terms into easily understandable everyday actions helps those attending "make friends with your computer," he said. 

Initially, the groups attending have been small but for larger groups Downing can speak about technology in general. He and a friend have developed a security talk which explains how to recognize scams and avoid them. "There's a great need for this," he added. "What's a 'matter of course' for some people is rocket science for others."

The Sept. 16 session was the last for Downing, as he and Linda prepare to head south for the winter.