Pelican
PRESS		      THE COMPUTER TUTOR  
                               Feb 13, 2003

Larry Ruckert provides personal and small business services to the computer user who is not familiar with the computer - Help for Seniors by a Senior - He can make you feel comfortable with the computers and the technology that goes along with them.  He performs this service in your home or office on your computer.  He sells no merchandise; this is a service only.  He can help you with Email, the Internet, Photos, Graphics, Word Processing, Home Management and even starting a Small Business.  His mission is to share his computer knowledge with adults who are not accustomed to living with the technology that exists today.  His reason behind offering one-on-one computer training is that he finds many people are uncomfortable asking questions in large classrooms or learning on a strange computer.  To find out more about The computer Tutor, check out his very informative website at www.Ruckert.com.  He services the Casey Key, Siesta Key, andPalmer Ranch areas.  Larry's ad is appearing in Section A of today's newspaper.


Phone: Larry Ruckert at 941-966-7919
Tutor helps with computer
by Kanika J. Greene
May 16, 2001
Teaching students computer usage has led one Ocean Pines resident to a rewarding, challenging, and sometimes humorous business venture. He loves the sense of wonder computer novices experience as they learn about computers with his help. "My oldest client is 92 years old, and my youngest client is 5 years old." Larry Ruckert, 60, The Computer Tutor said "My best teaching experience is when I met a 92 year-old man from Ocean City who wanted to start working with the computer. He and his 92 year-old sweetheart, Mary Lou, have me over once in a while to just tune them up on the computer. I love helping people. Where I really get a sense of accomplishment is when the light bulb goes on, and people figure out the computer is not going to bite, and this is easy.  Before starting The Computer Tutor in 1998, Ruckert spent 25 years working his way from a Sears stock boy to marketing manager and sales manager for that company. After retiring from Sears at the age of 51, Ruckert started The Peak Marketing Group business, and the company was actually hired by Sears to conduct marketing studies. Five years later, Ruckert retired for the second time and moved to Ocean Pines.  Two years ago, Ruckert waylaid his marketing experience and ideas into his Computer Tutor business, which provides one-on-one computer training in clients' homes. He thought he would receive a modest number of replies to his advertising campaign, but within one week, eight computer-education-craving people had called for lessons. "I provide personal and small business services to the computer user who is not real familiar with the computer. I think there is a need for people who are not computer literate, and the more mature citizen that doesn't feel comfortable with computers. The kids just grab the mouse away from them, and they don't tell them anything." Ruckert said. Specifically, Ruckert teaches his clients how to use the Internet, Email, word processing programs, payroll software and business programs such as Quickbooks. Before beginning The Computer Tutor, Ruckert taught computer courses at Wor-Wic Community College in Berlin, but he found it frustrating to work with 15 students with varying computer skill levels at once. "One doesn't know what a mouse is, and another wants to edit pictures, so I decided I would rather work one-on-one with people," Ruckert said. He usually spends an average of six hours with clients and charges a flat hourly fee. Ruckert said he reaps satisfaction when students suddenly understands a computer concept or discovers a new way of using their computer. For more information about The Computer Tutor, call 410-641-7679
July 1999

Judy Giffin

 The Computer Tutor                     MEMBER PROFILE
It's been said that one of the keys to starting a successful business is to find a need and fill it. Larry Ruckert, AKA THE COMPUTER TUTOR, has done just that. Realizing that many people don't know where to turn for help understanding their computer, Larry started his business in July 1998 after working 25 years for Sears (including vast computer experience) and then retiring from his own successful marking business 5 years later. Today he works enthusiastically with those wishing to improve their computer know-how in the convenience of their own homes. Larry can also assist small businesses with his skills in marketing, sales and people.
          To find out more about The Computer Tutor check out his very informative web site at www.Ruckert.com. Not only can you find out "What People Say" about him but also there is a wealth of information on his Favorite Web Sites, newsletters and much more. Larry resides in Ocean Pines and can be reached at 410-641-7679.
                                   May 19, 1999
Attack of the Acronyms

Ocean Pines Computer Tutor Here to Save the Day

by Natalie Rudzinski
         Did you get your Win98 PC on your IBM 2000 with 5 Gigabytes update for the Y2K?   What?   Computer terms. Nobody likes them, but it seems that everybody uses them.  Question is, with throwing around all these tri-lettered messages, who actually knows what they mean?
         Larry Ruckert, otherwise known as the Computer Tutor, knows that most of those tri-charactered phrases "mean nothing" to most people.  He prefers to stick with simple, straight-forward lingo when teaching people about the complicated computer world.  "I don't use a lot of computer terminology.  (A lot of users) want to impress you with what they know.  I don't want to impress.  I purposely try and stay away from computer phrases, " Ruckert said.  Working out of his home in Ocean Pines since he started it last July, Ruckert considers computers his hobby, but is very well aware of the complications it presents to other people who think it is a mystery.  In fact, Ruckert prefers to help those just learning about the computer, namely the mature audience who may not have had the opportunity to study computers in schools like kids now-a-days.  Besides, being and on-again-off-again retiree, Ruckert says he "can relate to those people better than the younger kids."
          Coming from the marketing field as well as being a troubleshooter for Sears, Ruckert is also well-versed in the area of computers, including being an owner of a computer from the first line introduced by Apple.  With his knowledge he decided to share the wealth with the frustrated people living in this fast-paced computer age.  Since helping over 100 Ocean Pines residents since last year he prefers to work with individuals.  He has dedicated 80 percent of his time to individual help compared to the 20 percent to businesses.  He was a bit surprised at the amount of people he has aided.  When he first started, he said he would have been happy if he got three people by the end of five weeks.  In the first week, eight people called for help.  "I was tickled pink," Ruckert added.
          FYI (sorry, it's just so catchy), Ruckert has taught a spring and summer computer course at Wor-Wic Community College.  But, he's taken time off from that and is back to where he seems to like it the best, in Ocean Pines where he can answer the tough questions, no matter how silly they seem.  And what are some common questions?  A lot of people ask what is the best kind of computer which he considers to be Dell even though he currently has three Compaq computers in his home which happens to be his third choice. Second place is IBM.  Wondering about interesting programs?  Well, you're not alone.  According to Ruckert and his newsletter, a lot of people ask that same thing and he suggests the software of Dell and Compaq which uses a lot of Microsoft.  For finances, Quicken is his preference.  Also, not surprisingly, people want to know more about the Internet. "One or two people a week I hook up to the Internet, "Ruckert said.  Once that is finished, you might as well check out his website at www.Ruckert.com for information on a book review, hints of the month and, what he considers a popular site, his favorites page.
          So, get the LD (lowdown) on the CT (Computer Tutor) so the next time you're on your computer, you can feel HIP (hip). 

THE OCEAN PINES GAZETTE 
July 8,1998 
by Brooke Saunders

A convenient, new computer service now makes it possible for area residents and businesses alike to become more familiar with the many functions of computers on a one-on-one basis.

Tutor Larry Ruckert retired after working 25 years for Sears in the Marketing and Sales Departments. He started his own marketing business and was very successful. After 5 years he sold his business and moved to Ocean Pines from Westminster only four, short months ago.

He explained his interest in computers was sparked in 1977 when Sears installed computers in  retail stores and he became a troubleshooter. By communicating with computer programmers and operators to ensure the programs were functional and easy to use, Ruckert said he gained a vast amount of knowledge and understanding concerning computers.

Today, Ruckert said his mission is to share his computer knowledge with adults who are not accustomed to living with the technology that exists today. His reason behind offering one-on-one computer training is that he finds many people are uncomfortable asking questions in large classrooms with a number of people around.

By becoming a personal computer tutor, Ruckert hopes to offer individualized attention to each of his students so he may devote all of his time to addressing their specific needs and concerns. "Once someone is comfortable with the functions and programs of a computer, they feel more at ease using one," Ruckert commented. 
 

 My goal is to make the mature person feel more secure with computers and to define its many uses to help them realize the vast information they can obtain,"he added.  There are many types of computer programs Ruckert said he is comfortable with, including any IBM based machine and all types of Internet functions – email, research, tracking finances as well as word processing, spread sheets, accounting and payroll programs.
For more information about Larry Ruckert’s personalized computer tutoring service, give him a call today at 410-641-7679 

COASTAL DISPATCH
August 7, 1998
According to Ruckert there are some people over 35 years old that are uncomfortable with computers these people he hopes to help become familiar with the unique abilities of computers and the applications that can be used. Ruckert retired and moved to Ocean Pines in February of this year. After missing the interaction with people, he decided helping people was very rewarding and started his tutor service. 

OCEAN PINES INDEPENDENT
Mid-July 1998
He likes to deal with the person just getting started in the world of computers who doesn’t know where to turn. Also, if you have or want to start a small business, Ruckert is willing to assist you with his marketing, sales, computer and people skills. He specializes in tracking investments and keeping up with the latest news with the computer. 

Ruckert, who retired in 1993 from Sears, where he got his first taste of computers in 1973, after 25 years in marketing and sales management, started a credit marketing company the same year. That company grew from Maryland into Pennsylvania and Delaware with over 50 employees and customers that included Sears, Wards, and J.C. Penney. He recently sold that business to retire to Ocean Pines.