Sharing computer ideas

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Nathan Clevenger bustled across the room, explaining new software programs and offering help to teens with computer problems.

Clevenger, 18, has got a firm grip on technology. At times, he sounds like he's speaking in a foreign language when he talks about bytes, ram and memory cards. But, he also knows how to explain something a second time so the average person understands him as well.

And Clevenger is spreading this knowledge of computers and software to his friends. Over the weekend, Clevenger hosted an "Idea Fair" in Sleepy Eye, where he welcomed computer programmers and software designers. About a dozen computers were set up for people to try their hand at the newest of technology.

"We want to bring together a lot of people who are already involved in computers," Clevenger explained.

Most of the visitors were even younger than Clevenger -- perfect clientele for a computer business.

"We're doing this as community service," Clevenger said. "We aren't gaining anything from this, except people whill hear about us now."

Clevenger wants to help people learn computer programming skills. With those technology skills, a person could triple or quadruple wages they get at a minimum-wage job, Clevenger contends.

"There is a huge untapped market for those who have the talent," he said.

Clevenger has spoken to computer classes at Minnesota State, Mankato. He also has entered nursing homes, showing seniors how to use e-mail. Clevenger is helping people become familiar with changing technology.

"We're teaching a class called 'visual basic.' It's very easy to learn, and there's a huge market for it," Clevenger said. The class teaches people how to create a simple computer program.

As an entrepreneur, Clevenger has begun several small computer companies. He runs "Clevrware," a Web problem-solving firm. Clevenger helps Websites design communication systems that have evolved past e-mail. He also creates secure access systems that allow only employees of a Website to obtain the information.

One of Clevenger's recent projects is a new handheld computer system for the Sleepy Eye police. Officers should be able to complete reports on the handhelds easier, with aid from Clevenger's program.

Besides introducing people to computers, the Idea Fair offered people a chance to bring their ideas and innovations to Clevenger, who helps them protect those plans.

"We want to help people bring their products into reality," Clevenger said.

For instance, he showed one guest how to publish chapters of a book on the Internet, in hope of attracting a publishing company.

Tyler Lohrenz, 15, sat at one computer, working on a new system.

"I'd like to learn some programming stuff," Lohrenz said. "It's what's coming. The trend is everything is going toward computers. It's just like the industrial revolution -- we're in a computer revolution."

Ian Lowther, 13, was playing chess on a handheld computer, where a pen drags the pieces across the board. He said he's having fun learning more about the computers.

"I'm getting taught how to make a calculator," Lowther said about his computer class.

Bob Weiss of Sleepy Eye Telephone Company also attended the fair, showing visitors the new DSL line that was hooked up in town this week.

"This is more toward the residential," Weiss explained. "It's probably three times faster than dial up, and it eliminates the dial-up hassles."

All the computers at the Idea Fair were connected to the new DSL line, Weiss added.