Lydia White, founder of Local Host, smiling in a black turtleneck against a dusty rose background

About

Hello. I'm Lydia.

My love affair with computers and technology started early. I published my first website when I was 13, and I've spent the past 20 years designing and building things for the internet, working to make it friendlier and easier to use.

But as our lives have become more and more digital, I've watched even the most tech-savvy among us drown in overwhelm and constant change. We spend hours online every day, and yet there are few places to turn for help making sense of it. AI, healthcare, finances, security: the stakes couldn't be higher.

Think of me as your tech therapist or personal trainer. We'll work closely together to diagnose what's going on and set up systems that work for you, so you come away confident in your relationship with technology. My experience as a designer, photographer, and educator means you get something a little different from typical tech support or Geek Squad. We're going to go deep, with patience and personalized care.

Your photos are not files. They are your grandchildren, your wedding day, your first house. Your passwords are the keys to your accounts, your letters, your money. All of it deserves patience and respect.

Let’s chat.

Lydia White, founder

Local Host Lounge

A physical space to connect

Come visit our new tech community space in Berkeley, across the street from Ashby BART.  We’ve got a big table, comfortable chairs, good light, coffee on hand, and no counter between us. We’ll be hosting workshops and events exploring how we can all live better with technology.

The Local Host storefront on its street corner at dusk: a slate blue building with red corbels under the eaves, warm light in the big windows, and planters of flowers along the sidewalk
The main room in afternoon sun: terrazzo tables by tall corner windows, a white sofa with a wooden coffee table, and paper lanterns overhead
Two marble-topped tables and a rush-seat chair under enamel pendant lamps, by the front windows and door
A coffee nook with a coffee maker, a kettle, and a glass-front drinks fridge in a wood and cane cabinet, under an abstract painting
A long white table with six chairs under three paper lanterns, against a bright white wall
Address
1979 Ashby Ave
Berkeley, CA 94703
Open in Google Maps
Drop-in hours
Coming soon. For now, get in touch and we’ll set up a time to meet there.
Getting here
Across from Ashby BART, and the AC Transit 6 stops at our corner. Street parking on Otis, Ashby, or Adeline.
Ashby Ave Adeline St Martin Luther King Jr Way Shattuck Ave Otis St Oregon St Prince St Woolsey St Russell St Ellis St Emerson St Local Host 1979 Ashby Ave Ashby BART South Branch Library Berkeley Bowl N500 feet Get directions in Google Maps
Map data: OpenStreetMap

Let's meet.

Book a free consultation, and come see the room for yourself.