Peter Huemer is the proprietor of User-Friendly Computing. He has over 16 years of experience in computer consulting. His background includes extensive knowledge of network and system design, integration, and deployment. Peter is familiar with all major PC operating systems, LAN/WAN topologies, hardware, and groupware applications, including Novell Netware 2.x-5.x, Windows NT, Windows for Workgroups, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, Outlook, and Groupwise.  Some of Peter’s past successes include work at Los Gatos Christian Church, City and County of San Francisco (Sheriff’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Probation Office, Muni, Hetch Hetchy,), San Jose State University, Stanford Linear Accelerator, City of Livermore, City of Newark, Veteran’s Administration. Peter also has extensive experience in server and database migration, and has provided support and guidance for hundreds of businesses seeking to maximize productivity via their Information Technology infrastructure.

In 1976, Peter was exposed to PC in home, the first Apple II in the neighborhood, a $3000 state-of-the-art system that boasted 16K of RAM, a monochrome monitor, and a cassette drive.   This system captured Peter's imagination and inspired his early work programming simple animation and sound sequences.   Later, Peter's father converted the unused half of the family garage into a makeshift computer lab.  The neighborhood's first computer lab  ultimately included an Apple II, Apple IIe, Commodore PET, Radio Shack TRS-80, and Commodore 64.  Today, the equipment that Peter uses includes everything from a client's 486 workstation to  some of the most desirable technology in development in the industry.

At age 16, while working as a dishwasher for the local Taco Bell, Peter was approached by the owner and asked to write an inventory tracking program.  The program was to catalog the daily usage  of key ingredients, including ground beef, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.  By comparing the number of items sold with the amount of inventory used, the owner could determine whether the line workers were, on average,  using too much or too little of a particular ingredient in the end products.   Because data on item sales and ingredient usage was entered on a daily basis, the user could also graph a history of daily usage and sales over a week, month, or year.  It was this programming experience that developed Peter's his early expertise with database design and digital images.  Following the success of this project, Peter was promoted from dishwasher to management, where he remained until his departure from high school.

Upon completing 11th grade, Peter left Calabasas High School and, with AP credits, entered CSUN as a sophomore.  After his first year at CSUN, he transferred to UCLA to study Thermal Science and Power Systems with UCLA's Mechanical Engineering Department.   Once there, Peter worked his way through college by assembling and selling IBM-Compatible XT, 286, and 386 systems to UCLA students, faculty, and local law firms.  After receiving his Bachelor's degree, Peter continued on in UCLA's graduate program, studying Applied Plasma Physics and Fusion Engineering.  It was there that he co-authored "Experimental Studies of Active Temperature Control in Solid Breeder Blankets," published in Fusion Engineering and Design 17 (1991).

After receiving his Master's from UCLA's Nuclear Engineering department, Peter quickly found that his years of computer expertise were highly valued in Silicon Valley, and he went to work as a Field Service Engineer for OPT, Inc.  It was there that he was awarded employee of the year and received formal training in Novell's Certified Netware Engineer program. 

When Peter moved to the Santa Cruz area in 1993, they recognized a need for high-quality, professional computer service.  Peter left his position at OPT and established User-Friendly Computing.  Word of Peter's skill spread quickly.  Today, User-Friendly Computing is an established computer service company with roots in the Santa Cruz community. We provide one of the broadest and most comprehensive local service and sales offerings, providing on-site service for networks, personal computers, printers, and peripherals. With a strong emphasis on the networked environment, we were one of the first organizations in the Santa Cruz area to provide migration implementation and support for Windows NT. We pride ourselves on the customer loyalty and we have earned through years of high-quality personal service.

Peter is a member of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, the Santa Cruz Technology Alliance, International Who's Who of Information Technology, Lexington Who's Who  Regsitry of Executives and Professionals, the National Registry of Who's Who, Madison Who's Who, and the Congressional Advisory Council on Small Business (chaired by Senator Tom Davis).  Peter is also a member of the local Lion's Club, the Elk's Lodge, the Pacific Association of USA Track and Field, and is a board member on the Santa Cruz Track Club. 

Peter's hobbies include travel, weight training, and running.  He has completed 11 marathons to date, including Silicon Valley, California International, Las Vegas, Napa Valley, Nisene Marks, Honolulu, Mardi Gras, New York, and Boston.