A query about working while on the road

Sherio · Veteran Member

RE: A query about working while on the road

oldbobsbus · Guru

Sherio wrote:
Personally, as a wanderer, I wouldn't care what you wore, as long as you could do the job. How much to charge is a tricky one - but I agree with some of the other posts, you've got to think about who your client base is - GNs are often/usually retired and may have very limited incomes. And equally you'd have to think that if you're going to be reliant on getting the business when you're travelling then it's better to have some business rather than none. As with lots of things, something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.

I think Greg is just a dreamer at the moment and until he gets out there and tests the water he has NFI about how to make money on the road..

Having said that he is at least asking questions which is a start..

I have a feeling he thinks we all park up at the same place every night and all need his services and we will be prepared to pay with folding money.. smile

The truth is Greg we all go our different directions and do our own thing.. I help someone with their lappy today and someone else helps me fix a broken tail light next week..now we are all even and no money has changed hands..

If you happen to be somewhere where there is casual work then you may pick up some work for a few days or weeks and get paid for it, and you may be surprised that sometimes they want office staff with IT skills.. biggrin

GregTheComputerGuy · Veteran Member

_wombat_ wrote:
GregTheComputerGuy wrote:
The dog lady wrote:
I think you should be reasonable when deciding what hourly rate to charge, and keep in mind the demographics of your client base as obviously you can charge more in the city than in some little backwater or a bush campsite. But I learnt a long time ago that if you give of your expertise for free, the recipient is likely to treat your advice as being of no value.
Personally I did my brother's accounting work for free while he was establishing his business, but eventually told him to go to another accountant as he was not prepared to value my advice. A year later he was begging to come back, but I've strictly separated business and personal since that experience.
Since getting a pension I don't work for a living and I'm lovin' it.
Good luck with your endeavours
Thanks for that. I feel I am more than reasonable too. I dont live anywhere near the city.
Yeah I have had a business customer who had been using me for years tell me that his motor mechanic SWEARS by the most well known antivirus there is. I reminded him that the reason he got me to come to him in the first place was that the antivirus was no good. He continued to argue it was because his mechanic said so. I replied "Well why dont you listen to my mechanical advice about your car?" and he gave me a quizzical look. I said I didnt offer mechanical advice because I didnt know what I was doing with that advice that much at all but I knew what I was doing with I.T. advice. He still didnt like my advice so I advised him to take his computer to the mechanic in future. He got upset and I said "If you want to keep things running without problems with anything in your life, you need to listen to those who work in that industry. If you arent listening to me and taking the advice of the mechanic then I am not going to be blamed for any mistakes made that come from his advice and then be expected to fix the problem." and walked out and never went back. Admittedly, though, the guy was VERY rich and I had to battle to get paid. That was the last straw and really the best way never to have to deal with him again. Hard up people have cash waiting. Rich people leave you hanging for ages I have found!
what AntiVirus was he using? and what AntiVirus do you recommend if any?

I wont say which he was using. I dont want to put myself in any possible legal problem for putting down their program.

However, I actually CAN say that the two best antivirus you can get are:

1) Sophos. Approximately $200 but you get to use it legally on 3 different computers for that money. If you have 3 it may be worth it.

2) AVG. Second best there is and interestingly, the FREE version of it is better than the PAID version simply because the paid version also gives you a firewall which is a pain in the backside to most people.

I regularly use a computer's hard drive that is infected (new ones at different times of the year) for testing. I make an image of the infected drive first then I hit it with free trials of all antivirus programs that I can grab. Then, I see what is left over, rewrite the original infected image to a spare drive and do it all over again and see what happens. For some time now, Sophos 1, AVG 2. I actually use AVG, personally.

Another thing a lot of antivirus companies do is go to porn sites, use torrents, go to any illegal music/movie download place they can because normally, those places see the brand new viruses before anyone else in the world and so they purposely infect their computers so they can catch and figure them out. Relatively easy to do. Just like you wouldnt walk down the most notorious streets in the nation at midnight and expect to be OK, you should stay away from all those sorts of places I mentioned. They arent the ONLY places that will infect you, they are just the most well known.

GregTheComputerGuy · Veteran Member

oldbobsbus wrote:
Sherio wrote:
Personally, as a wanderer, I wouldn't care what you wore, as long as you could do the job. How much to charge is a tricky one - but I agree with some of the other posts, you've got to think about who your client base is - GNs are often/usually retired and may have very limited incomes. And equally you'd have to think that if you're going to be reliant on getting the business when you're travelling then it's better to have some business rather than none. As with lots of things, something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.
I think Greg is just a dreamer at the moment and until he gets out there and tests the water he has NFI about how to make money on the road..
Having said that he is at least asking questions which is a start..
I have a feeling he thinks we all park up at the same place every night and all need his services and we will be prepared to pay with folding money..
The truth is Greg we all go our different directions and do our own thing.. I help someone with their lappy today and someone else helps me fix a broken tail light next week..now we are all even and no money has changed hands..
If you happen to be somewhere where there is casual work then you may pick up some work for a few days or weeks and get paid for it, and you may be surprised that sometimes they want office staff with IT skills..

Bob mate, I have no idea why you seem to think I am a dreamer. I stated I didnt know, was looking for info and the reason was to be prepared. What, in your terms, did I do wrong?

I dont expect to pull up at a roadside stop in the middle of the Barrier highway and voila - there is income at all. I realise there MAY be I.T. work ANYWHERE in the nation but as I stated, I dont expect to be able to make a living off it. The whole idea of this thread was, as I said all along, for me to be prepared. Hell mate, if I cant find out in places like here, then either no-one knows (which isnt the case) or I didnt ask, in which case I'd be bloody stupid.

I also understand the term "barter" mate. There used to be a plumber in the area who worked for himself and I often used to do work on his computer in return for him doing work for me at my home. Worked out well and no tax involved. My whole STATED idea was to find out WHAT, WHEN and HOW from people doing it. I really dont know where you get your ideas from, mate.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Thank you Greg for your info, I do understand about not wanting to say the VC company.

oldbobsbus · Guru

GregTheComputerGuy wrote:

Bob mate, I have no idea why you seem to think I am a dreamer. I stated I didnt know, was looking for info and the reason was to be prepared. What, in your terms, did I do wrong?
I dont expect to pull up at a roadside stop in the middle of the Barrier highway and voila - there is income at all. I realise there MAY be I.T. work ANYWHERE in the nation but as I stated, I dont expect to be able to make a living off it. The whole idea of this thread was, as I said all along, for me to be prepared. Hell mate, if I cant find out in places like here, then either no-one knows (which isnt the case) or I didnt ask, in which case I'd be bloody stupid.
I also understand the term "barter" mate. There used to be a plumber in the area who worked for himself and I often used to do work on his computer in return for him doing work for me at my home. Worked out well and no tax involved. My whole STATED idea was to find out WHAT, WHEN and HOW from people doing it. I really dont know where you get your ideas from, mate.

Greg, your last thread was about choosing a rig and everytime someone made a suggestion you were able to knock their idea, I have NFI if you now have a rig but that is up to you..

You are now asking about ways to make a living on the road and again you only want to do IT work.. Thats fine mate but you have to remember we are all out here at the moment getting by so to become part of the scene you need to get out here..

Untill then you are a dreamer.. smile dreaming about getting out hear and doing what we are already doing..

I honestly wish you luck but I think you may need to broaden your field of expertise.

Like do you have a truck drivers licence..

Do you have a forklift licence.

Do you have any OH&S cards..

All of this helps when you are out there looking to pick up a few dollars..

GregTheComputerGuy · Veteran Member

oldbobsbus wrote:
GregTheComputerGuy wrote:

Bob mate, I have no idea why you seem to think I am a dreamer. I stated I didnt know, was looking for info and the reason was to be prepared. What, in your terms, did I do wrong?
I dont expect to pull up at a roadside stop in the middle of the Barrier highway and voila - there is income at all. I realise there MAY be I.T. work ANYWHERE in the nation but as I stated, I dont expect to be able to make a living off it. The whole idea of this thread was, as I said all along, for me to be prepared. Hell mate, if I cant find out in places like here, then either no-one knows (which isnt the case) or I didnt ask, in which case I'd be bloody stupid.
I also understand the term "barter" mate. There used to be a plumber in the area who worked for himself and I often used to do work on his computer in return for him doing work for me at my home. Worked out well and no tax involved. My whole STATED idea was to find out WHAT, WHEN and HOW from people doing it. I really dont know where you get your ideas from, mate.
Greg, your last thread was about choosing a rig and everytime someone made a suggestion you were able to knock their idea, I have NFI if you now have a rig but that is up to you..
You are now asking about ways to make a living on the road and again you only want to do IT work.. Thats fine mate but you have to remember we are all out here at the moment getting by so to become part of the scene you need to get out here..
Untill then you are a dreamer.. dreaming about getting out hear and doing what we are already doing..
I honestly wish you luck but I think you may need to broaden your field of expertise.
Like do you have a truck drivers licence..
Do you have a forklift licence.
Do you have any OH&S cards..
All of this helps when you are out there looking to pick up a few dollars..

So Bob, in your terms, if you dont like what you read you feel free to be rude to people? Wake up, mate! No-one has that right! "dreamer". I am someone looking for info and you are someone seeming to want to show the world you know better.

Do me a favour Bob - if you cant say something without being rude, keep it to yourself. I didnt ask for you to be rude and I stated from the start what I was looking for. If you have nothing better to do, I suggest learning patience because IMHO, that is something you have NFI about.

Honestly mate, stop the bad manners. They arent needed.

oldbobsbus · Guru

Greg, I have only been offing advice but you seem to think if anyone else has a different opinion to yours it is wrong..

Good luck mate I am sure you will find out soon enough one day maybe.. smile

dorian · Guru

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Baz421 · Guru

oldbobsbus wrote:
Greg, I have only been offing advice but you seem to think if anyone else has a different opinion to yours it is wrong..
Good luck mate I am sure you will find out soon enough one day maybe..

Oh my,, I started reading this thread hoping to learn something. HOW BLOODY DISSAPOINTING. Greg, Bob has some valid points which you don't seem to OR DON'T WANT TO grasp.

Surely if you are a competant IT guy you will earn good money AS THERE IS WORK IN IT EVERYWHERE especially out bush when they have problems and no local solutions. However if your current "busines model" is not that profitable (and I must add you are to be applauded for offering discounts to some who need help) you are unlikely to better off "on the road".

My son in law worked 16 hours per day in a small business but made no money,,, he lacked the acumen to be in business at the time,,, ie he couldn't ask for a fair return for the work he was doing, nor ask for full payment before he deliverred final plans. Now he has overcome this inhibitor and runs a multi million $ business.

Likewise why rule out getting a truck licence or other work out of hand, when it could provide you with good income???? I have been begged twice to drive a water truck. IT IS SO EASY,,,, and earns $2000+ per week, long hours but $ to you. IF YOU WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO OFFER TO GET YOUR LICENCE and then provide a job they will laugh at you.

Your advice reference AVG free seems unwarranted/strange as it was AVG free that was a virus conduit INTO MY COMPUTER,,, ie it was the target of the virus and shut off all other anti virus options and all updates.

So in essence my advice is to listen when you ask a question,,,,, it may be not the type/style/format/or advice that suits your current needs, but please listen.

I hope my advice is helpfull and respectfull.

GregTheComputerGuy · Veteran Member

oldbobsbus wrote:
Greg, I have only been offing advice but you seem to think if anyone else has a different opinion to yours it is wrong..
Good luck mate I am sure you will find out soon enough one day maybe..

I know people like you WELL Bob. You think that if they dont measure up to you then they deserve kicking in the guts and then you try to coat it all in civility.

Do me a favour - when you read something from me dont comment. You just seem to want to put me down at every turn and quite honestly, all you ever do is show that. I can do without it. All I wanted was info. You never saw fit to come up with that.

GregTheComputerGuy · Veteran Member

Baz421 wrote:
oldbobsbus wrote:
Greg, I have only been offing advice but you seem to think if anyone else has a different opinion to yours it is wrong..
Good luck mate I am sure you will find out soon enough one day maybe..
Oh my,, I started reading this thread hoping to learn something. HOW BLOODY DISSAPOINTING. Greg, Bob has some valid points which you don't seem to OR DON'T WANT TO grasp.
Surely if you are a competant IT guy you will earn good money AS THERE IS WORK IN IT EVERYWHERE especially out bush when they have problems and no local solutions. However if your current "busines model" is not that profitable (and I must add you are to be applauded for offering discounts to some who need help) you are unlikely to better off "on the road".
My son in law worked 16 hours per day in a small business but made no money,,, he lacked the acumen to be in business at the time,,, ie he couldn't ask for a fair return for the work he was doing, nor ask for full payment before he deliverred final plans. Now he has overcome this inhibitor and runs a multi million $ business.
Likewise why rule out getting a truck licence or other work out of hand, when it could provide you with good income???? I have been begged twice to drive a water truck. IT IS SO EASY,,,, and earns $2000+ per week, long hours but $ to you. IF YOU WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO OFFER TO GET YOUR LICENCE and then provide a job they will laugh at you.
Your advice reference AVG free seems unwarranted/strange as it was AVG free that was a virus conduit INTO MY COMPUTER,,, ie it was the target of the virus and shut off all other anti virus options and all updates.
So in essence my advice is to listen when you ask a question,,,,, it may be not the type/style/format/or advice that suits your current needs, but please listen.
I hope my advice is helpfull and respectfull.

Bob is one of those people who want to put people down. He never offered advice but he did see fit to try and put me down. Dont worry about Bob. I can do without him.

As to my advice re AVG, I was asked which one I would recommend so yeah, it wasnt unwarranted. AVG lets things into your computer if 1) You dont really look after your online activities correctly and go to places such as torrents and other places mentioned. 2) You dont update it. 3) You happen to meet that brand new virus within 48 hours of it being released because it takes around that long for the antivirus community at large to find it. The same can be said of ANy antivirus for all that.

What I normally find is people who think it is OK to go to porn sites, illegal music/video sites, torrents and expect to come out unscathed. You wont. There are holes in Windows, Apple's IOS, on web sites and so on that are everywhere. The largest income made in the world, industrywise (if you could term it an industry) is ripping people off online. It even outstrips the drug trade. So if you go to those sorts of sites intentionally or accidentally (eg, you typed a web site address in but made a typo and that turned out to be a porn site) then you have a great chance of having been infected and not even know about it.

I listened. Bob only ever offered his put downs, then tried coating them in civility. It is a very old trick practiced by politicians and net flamers, Bob being definitely the latter....not sure about the former.

Why rule out a truck licence? I didnt ever say I had one. What I said is i didnt have one but if some company/person when I get to that area is willing to help out with that then I would definitely do that. Dont know what you were reading.

I didnt listen - I read. I got good info minus Bob's habit of stirring up trouble. You read differently and your comments seem to indicate you didnt read what I said. So, if it upsets you, go back and read it properly. You will find that you will be happier.

native pepper · Senior Member

GregTheComputerGuy wrote:
As to my advice re AVG, I was asked which one I would recommend so yeah, it wasnt unwarranted. AVG lets things into your computer if 1) You dont really look after your online activities correctly and go to places such as torrents and other places mentioned. 2) You dont update it. 3) You happen to meet that brand new virus within 48 hours of it being released because it takes around that long for the antivirus community at large to find it. The same can be said of ANy antivirus for all that.
What I normally find is people who think it is OK to go to porn sites, illegal music/video sites, torrents and expect to come out unscathed. You wont. There are holes in Windows, Apple's IOS, on web sites and so on that are everywhere. The largest income made in the world, industrywise (if you could term it an industry) is ripping people off online. It even outstrips the drug trade. So if you go to those sorts of sites intentionally or accidentally (eg, you typed a web site address in but made a typo and that turned out to be a porn site) then you have a great chance of having been infected and not even know about it.

I agree the virus industry make a fortune and are closely aligned with the OS providers, so glad we use open source and never have any of these problems, invasions or attacks. It's the norm when people send us things from a win/IOS computer to have a virus or key logger attached, but they only work on proprietary systems and our security removes them before they get to us. Then it tells us what it has done and blocks site for good, same with the growing and profitable DDS attacks.

As for getting work on the road, you will find it hard to get the sort of money you get in urban land and word of mouth is the best form of advertising there is. I could work 7 days a week all year with the amount available and charge according to what we negotiate, some times it's virtually nothing, sometimes it's much more than expected.

Don't want to sound negative, but you may find it hard to get IT work in the bush, unless you increase your skills set. Over the years found one job leads to another and if you have the skills, many jobs pop up as after thoughts. As for trucking, unless you have the experience and know how, getting driving jobs in the bush would be extremely difficult, without proper licensing and tickets. Plus it is heavy work on most occasions and found casual driving jobs are easy, if you can load a float and operate machinery. Same with tractor driving, you need to be able to handle it and the attachments used, as well as repair them if needed. Can't just take it to the local dealer or garage, in lots of bush places, they don't exist, or a very long way away.

Book keeping/accounting is a job there is a call for in the bush, as is building/renovation work and you need to do plumbing and draining as well. Along with builders they are extremely scarce and in demand.

Baz421 · Guru

OK I'll bow out of this thread,, especially when you accuse me of not reading your posts,, I suggest you do the same with mine and re read, ie about getting a truck licence YOURSELF not waiting for someone "willing to help out". Mine wasn't to verbose was it?

I'd suggest that you may, just may, have trouble dealing with people and if so it may, just may, be difficult for you to relate to and tolerate others,,,, this would of course not help with obtaing work.

Cheers

PS I'm very happy thanks for the unwarranted concern Greg.

oldbobsbus · Guru

Baz421 wrote:
OK I'll bow out of this thread,, especially when you accuse me of not reading your posts,, I suggest you do the same with mine and re read, ie about getting a truck licence YOURSELF not waiting for someone "willing to help out". Mine wasn't to verbose was it?
I'd suggest that you may, just may, have trouble dealing with people and if so it may, just may, be difficult for you to relate to and tolerate others,,,, this would of course not help with obtaing work.
Cheers
PS I'm very happy thanks for the unwarranted concern Greg.

Greg, There is no doubt you cant handle constructive criticism..

You also go with the belief that the best form of defence is attack..

Attack me as much as you like becoz it wont help you or your cause for that matter you..

I offered you some advice based on knowledge as did others..

I called you a dreamer which in my mind isn't that bad because without dreamers we would have never put a man on the moon, but you took offence to that and thought I was putting you down, I wasn't I was just saying you are still at the dreaming about it stage and not yet doing it..

I agree with Baz, you need to up your people skills and learn to listen instead of going off half ****ed.. smile

I wish you luck in any future activities you choose to undertake but like Baz I am out of here....