On 13 June 2011 08:43, Phares Kariuki <pkariuki@gmail.com> wrote:

http://skunkworks-ke.tumblr.com/post/4715250243/screw-you-pay-me-how-to-negotiate-with-customers

Very interesting video I came across on the subject....

On Mon, Jun 13, 2011 at 8:14 AM, justus <mutahijustus@gmail.com> wrote:

im also a worried man , i worked with a certain govt body as IT support for sometime, when i got out some guys who were my bosses still call me claiming their personal computer needs formatting , whether i have an antivirus, all this crap and they rarely pay a penny just because they were my bosses by then. there should be a limit .making a call to ask for help is okay for me but bringing your laptop to update your antivirus is too much -for free!!

On Sun, Jun 12, 2011 at 10:50 PM, Net Caster <madungu@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Skunks,
Something has been bothering me for some time now on this list. I know many skunks have set up IT businesses and consultancy in areas such as web-design, networks, VOIP, software development, support, FOSS implementation and maintenance etc. Lawyers, doctors, civil engineers, realtors, quantity surveyors and plumbers have also registered their businesses. The one major difference between the techies and the later group is that we tend to offer our knowledge, skills and consultancy for free on public forums such as Skunkworks. There is a fine thick line between offering a fellow techie help when stuck and streaming really premium information to non-techies and thus denying professionals their right earning. Those of you who have engaged lawyers, realtors and plumbers recently can attest that nothing is free from the outset.

While you may have a day job, there are fellow techies who hassle with start-ups and can offer these services at a fee. I believe the better approach is to refer such questions to IT companies we know who offer the service/product in question. Come on guys, the techies need to pay bills, tax and put food on the table.

I've got lawyer friends who cannot copy-paste that company incorporation document for free claiming LSK does not allow them to offer free service (my foot). On the other hand, techies would helpfully volunteer information on how to google, download and customise IT Policy without asking for a cent. Very soon, IT lawyers (they exist, by the way) will start "developing" IT Policy at a fee as IT professionals watch.

I think we are our worst enemies and we invite quarks with money to easily set up and run IT businesses at our expense. In the end it helps no one. Not the industry and its growth in competence, professionalism and respect. Not the people we think we are helping and not ourselves. And we ask why we are treated with disdain in office. Look at the mirror.

Just my opinion. Don't lynch me. Maybe it's just me but am I so off the rail?

_______________________________________________
Skunkworks mailing list
Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke
http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks
------------
Skunkworks Rules
http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94
------------
Other services @ http://my.co.ke

--
Justus
+254 724 46 55 99

_______________________________________________
Skunkworks mailing list
Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke
http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks
------------
Skunkworks Rules
http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94
------------
Other services @ http://my.co.ke

--
With Regards,

Phares Kariuki

| T: +254 720 406 093 | E: pkariuki@gmail.com | Twitter: kaboro | Skype: kariukiphares | B: http://www.kaboro.com/ |

_______________________________________________
Skunkworks mailing list
Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke
http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks
------------
Skunkworks Rules
http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94
------------
Other services @ http://my.co.ke