Hi, I’m Dan Wassink, founder, trainer, and developer at Noteboom Productions, Ltd.—the company behind Dan’s Tutorials, Dan’s Online Courses, and a growing collection of educational and utility-based apps for Apple users. I’ve spent my entire career helping people feel more confident with technology, and that mission continues through everything we offer today.

The Early Days

My journey with computers began in high school with the SOL 20, followed by systems like the TRS-80 and Atari 800 XL. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I wasn’t just fascinated by computers—I was passionate about helping others understand them. Even in grade school, I was already assisting teachers and classmates. Whether it was mechanical drawing or electronics, I always enjoyed supporting others as they learned.

Publishing and My First Mac

After high school, I entered the publishing industry, where I used my first Apple Macintosh. I never looked back. Over the next 20 years, I became the go-to person at work for learning new software—introducing teams to PageMaker, QuarkXPress, Photoshop, and FileMaker Pro. I taught in-house classes, gave presentations at trade shows, and helped move entire departments from analog to digital. It was also during this time that I met my wife, Beth Noteboom—and yes, that’s where the company name comes from.

Teaching Online

When I left the publishing world, I took my love of teaching to the internet. My first site, LearnToMac.com, offered iPhoto tutorials. Later, I launched DrupalDude.com to help others learn the basics of Drupal—a platform I was using to build my sites. I quickly realized how much demand there was for easy-to-understand, beginner-friendly training.

A New Role at Apple

When a new Apple Store opened nearby, I applied and was hired as a Genius. It gave me an even deeper appreciation for Apple’s ecosystem, but more importantly, it confirmed what I’d already seen: most people don’t want advanced lessons—they want the basics. They want to know how to organize photos or set up reminders. I loved helping customers understand the tools they already had.

Going Independent with the App Store

When Apple launched the App Store, I saw a huge opportunity. I left Apple to focus full-time on developing apps—especially training apps that helped people understand Apple’s software. My early apps gained traction and positive feedback, but Apple’s approval process became inconsistent. Eventually, they stopped approving tutorial apps on Apple hardware altogether.

From Noteboom Tutorials to Dan’s Tutorials

While I continued making apps, I also built a membership site to give people direct access to all my video tutorials. That site became NoteboomTutorials.com. But as the platform grew, it became clear I needed a better, more personal experience for members—so in 2019, I rebuilt and rebranded the site as Dan’s Tutorials. Now, with better tools and features, it’s easier than ever for members to learn and stay connected.

Rebuilding the App Side of the Business

Recently, I’ve returned to app development with renewed focus—creating tools that make everyday tasks simpler and more enjoyable. Whether it’s the Pizza Calculator for Groups, which helps you plan a group order based on everyone’s topping preferences, or the Blackjack Basic Strategy Trainer, designed to teach you the best moves at the table, these apps are built with the same goal as my tutorials: to help you feel confident and capable with technology.

Where Things Stand Today

Today, Noteboom Productions, Ltd. brings together all my passions—training, design, development, and support—under one roof. Thousands of people use Dan’s Tutorials and apps to better understand their Apple devices, improve their workflows, and build confidence using tech in everyday life. Whether you join the site or download one of my apps, my goal is the same: to make learning technology easier and more enjoyable for everyone.