[dba-Tech] Laptop and Norton

John,

» Trying to do that as a business is tough.  If people pay $500
for a machine, they cannot understand how you can charge them $60 / hour for
5 hours to run down some devilish problem.

» And that is why I became a programmer.  Not enough of them, more demand than
supply, and yet still that fascinating "solving a puzzle" environment. «

For a few months two years ago or so I put out the word that I'd clean
up systems for a low fee ($50).  It was pin money, more or less.  Now
that I've gotten into the full-time working world again (13 months,
now) I've done very little of this sort of thing.  This particular
case is one where a friend asked me to help her daughter out.  If the
types of problems were more predictable it would be a bit more
enjoyable.  But having to research something new every stinking time
has gotten old.

I like what I'm doing in my current job, and weekly pay is awfully
nice.  15 years of my own business was about 5 years too long.  I was
stupidly stubborn about seeking full-time employment.

Steve Erbach


On 7/7/07, jwcolby <jwcolby at colbyconsulting.com> wrote:
> Steve,
>
> Back in the 80s I fixed stuff - back then down to the chip level with
> schematics, o'scopes and soldering irons.  It was interesting but not a
> particularly high paying job.  Today it is more "swap boards" and VERY low
> paying.  Troubleshooting software problems is much more complex though just
> because of the shear complexity of the various pieces and their
> interactions.  Trying to do that as a business is tough.  If people pay $500
> for a machine, they cannot understand how you can charge them $60 / hour for
> 5 hours to run down some devilish problem.
>
> And that is why I became a programmer.  Not enough of them, more demand than
> supply, and yet still that fascinating "solving a puzzle" environment.
>
> John W. Colby
> Colby Consulting
> www.ColbyConsulting.com