THE DISPATCH · THOMASVILLE, N.C. · NOVEMBER 12, 2026

One tech tip at a time: Thomasville man bridges the digital divide

By Jill Doss-Raines, The Dispatch

Originally published in The Dispatch on November 12, 2026. Read the original story at The Dispatch →

For plenty of people, modern technology can feel like a test they never got a chance to study for. Smartphones, passwords, online banking — and now artificial intelligence on top of it all. In Thomasville, one man is working to close that gap the slow, steady way: one simple lesson at a time, through a website built to make technology easier for everybody to understand.

Adam Neely is 45 and lives in Thomasville. He has loved technology for as long as he can remember, and he has paired that lifelong fascination with a straightforward desire to help other people. What came out of that pairing is The Daily Tech Tip — a free website offering practical technology advice written in plain English.

A project born out of loss

The Daily Tech Tip did not start in a boardroom or a business plan. It started in grief. Neely's father died, and with him went a rhythm that had run through Neely's whole life.

“Dad and I always had a project we were working on together,” Neely said. “When he passed away, I didn't have a project for the first time in a long time.”

As he adjusted to that loss, his mind kept drifting back to his other lifelong passion. “Technology has always been on my mind and part of my life,” he said. “I had all this free time, and I started thinking, why not create a site where people can go for tips about technology written in plain language?”

So he built it — and The Daily Tech Tip became the new project.

Built for the people technology left behind

Almost as soon as the site existed, Neely understood exactly who needed it most. Many people — older adults especially — never got the opportunity to learn technology as it evolved. It simply arrived around them, faster every year, with no instruction manual written for them.

“I especially made this website with older people in mind,” Neely said. “They weren't working and using the technology when it began. They got left behind, and there's no one that can really explain it to them in plain English.”

That last part is the whole mission, and it runs through everything on the site. Where other tech writing leans on jargon and complicated explanations, The Daily Tech Tip focuses on practical information people can put to use in their daily lives the same day they read it.

“At the heart of it is simple,” Neely said. “A lot of folks, especially older folks, get left behind or get taken advantage of because nobody explains tech in normal words. I try to be the neighbor who does.”

Nearly 700 tips, and a new one every day

The website, at www.thedailytechtip.com, publishes at least one new technology tip every day, and the library has grown to nearly 700 tips. The topics cover the ground everyday readers actually worry about: identifying online scams, spotting scam emails and text messages, understanding passkeys, improving online security, freeing up storage space on a smartphone, and learning about emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The site also features short daily videos and a daily podcast, and it serves as the companion to Neely's book, 365 Tech Tips.

The Daily Tip Man, on screen every day

Every day, the site's animated host walks viewers through one tip in a short video, in the same plain language as the written guides, so readers can watch instead of read whenever that suits them better.

“I don't want people to be afraid of AI”

Artificial intelligence is showing up everywhere now — in homes, in workplaces and in everyday consumer products. That is exactly why Neely believes technology education matters more than it ever has. He hopes the website helps people understand what AI is and the ways it can improve their lives, instead of frightening them.

“Most of all, I don't want people to be afraid of AI,” Neely said. “I just love technology and new technology. I hope this helps others.”

From the site to the bookshelf

In October, Neely expanded the project by publishing 365 Tech Tips, a collection of technology advice drawn from the website. The book is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats; the paperback sells for about $35 plus shipping and handling, and a book-and-T-shirt bundle is available through Neely's Shopify store, linked from the website, for $39.99.

Atari, tool and die, and a 1954 Chevrolet

Neely was born in Charlotte and grew up in the Huntersville area, and by his own account he has always been fascinated by technology. Like many members of the original gaming generation, his interest began with an Atari game system and continued through Nintendo and every wave of emerging technology after it.

When he is not writing technology tips, Neely works as a tool and die maker for a Greensboro company — a career he has spent roughly 30 years pursuing. In his spare time he enjoys 3D printing, creating custom coasters and other useful items, and working on automobiles.

“I of course like to fiddle with cars,” Neely said. “I always keep a project car around. Dad and I always had a car we were working on. We were working on a 1954 Chevrolet sedan when he passed away.”

No plans to slow down

Despite the rapid growth of The Daily Tech Tip, Neely has no plans to slow down. He continues to add new content daily, and he is working to better organize the site so visitors can more easily find the information tailored to their needs.

Above all, he hopes his efforts help people feel more comfortable in a world increasingly shaped by technology — one tech tip at a time.