Hello,  [smiley=smiley.gif]

My name is Jan Kraakman from Zaandam (just above Amsterdam) in the Netherlands.
I work in the autobusiness for 33 years and have my own shop for allmost 25 years.
Started to fix cars after work in a little garagebox to finance my own car ('73 camaro at the time).
This got out of hand and in feb.'82 I moved to a bigger shop (one lift), where I started my business on may 15th.
At first I fixed all makes, but my interest went out to American cars and started to specialise from ± '85.
At the end of '90 the shop property was sold and the new owner didn't extend the lease so I was forced to look for a new location. ::)
With two employees (at the time) we moved to my current location in feb. '92.
Since '94 I got divorced  :'( and work alone again (I'm bad in managing employees :-[ ) also due to governments rules, taxes and insurances.
In 2000 I married my wife José and we bought the property.  ::)
Have 240 square meter of total shopfloor (including 40 square meter parts department, office and waitingroom) and three lifts, two 3,5 ton shear lift and one 8 ton four legged lift for motorhomes.
With ± 100 cars (90% US) in service from steady customers I am very busy all the time so for a wile now I have a customerstop and only picking up the telephone from 8 to 9.30 am.
Started playing with the PC (Mac) in '02 (to late!) and ran into iATN in '05 (much to late!  :( ) an became a sponsoring member.
What I have learned in the meantime is indescribable, iATN Rocks!!!
Trough one of my cousins from Ontario Canada, I also found AllDatadiy wich is an indispensable tool too. (and inexpensive to for my small business)
It was inevitable that I found Tom and Autonerdz trough iATN and got intrigued in the use of the scope. Thanks Tom.  :)
So I decided to take my knowledge to the next level and add the Picoquad to my tool arsenal (I'm a bit of a tooljunkie too) ::)
There was No doubt were to buy it!!!
Last thursday I got my new toy with the nerd series an the first look sensor  8-) wich will keep me more busy in the coming time. (my wife already feels like a computerwidow sometimes)  :-[
I hope I can find the time to interact with you Techs  :) (a day only has 24 hours) :(

I wish you all a very nice Christmas and a Happy new year! ;D

Jan Kraakman,
All "American" Car Service.

Now I'm gonna Play and Learn.  ::)

Welcome NetherNerd.  ;D I too bought the quad with first look and nerd series all @ same time. You will have no life for @ least 2 months. Then you need a mixmaster. Life is good with a PICO. Great help on the Autonerdz forums and the Picotologist meatings monthly. Hope you can join.

Hi Jan:

I see you made it welcome aboard.

Now the fun will never end.

With all them new toys your wife will be like mine waiting by the side lines calling your computer your new girl friend.

Just make sure to still spend time with her and she will adapt.

Money makes things better just ask my wife.

Take care.

Rich

Hi Jan,
 As Wbglee and Rich said welcome. ;D  I myself am a new member and can tell you that I've gained alot of knowledge from the dedication of all the members with there past and present post.  I comend you on your persistence.  Good luck and hope to see some captures with that new PICO!

Thanks for the warm welcome guys.

Wilf, I almost have no life working alone  ;D but I like it that way. The mixmaster is on the wishlist and to join the meetings I have to sneak out of bed at 3.00 am  :-[ but I will someday(night)

Rich, Yes I made it and having FUN  ;D Made my first captures this week on a '02 Avalanche altenator. My wife José said you're right (quote - Just make sure to still spend time with her and she will adapt.)  ;)

Jeff, Knowledge and dedication there is for sure. Hope I can persist for a long time and post captures to.  ::)

I wish you and all the Autonerdz a Very nice Christmas (holidays) and happy (pico) new year.

Jan Kraakman,
NetherNerd.