Linux & Open Source Computer Specialist

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. I work with a board variety of clients.

Home users who have tired of viruses, malware, and crashes come to me to give them stable, simple, and reliable systems.

B2B services providers come to me to have their systems improved and to learn new techniques.

Executives come to me to provided them with systems and training to access their essential business information.

Businesses come to me to get simple and stable systems with low cost of maintenance.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Focus on the result you want, not the problem you currently have.

You want to make an X or do Y.

Tell the consultant what you want to do.

Let the consultant talk to you about how to get to your solutions. That conversation will tell you what you need to know about the consultant.

Beware consultants who know only one solution to any problem. One size does not fit all. (eg Flash is not how to build every website.)

Look for someone with experience who knows things often don't go as expected. I always have a Plan B.

Not every consultant fits every customer. People good at their work take pride in their work and readily say what they cannot do. If you believe every "yes, can do" answer, you will quickly find disappointment.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Clients often fail to grasp how many solutions are available. And often use the wrong tool for the job.

Avoid the bleeding edge. The latest and greatest, the most publicized, is often the least tested and the most expensive to maintain.

Take the time to research good solutions.
Someone has probably already solved your problem. Take the time to find and understand that solution.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. It helps if you make a list of what you do with your computer. And also make a list of the programs you use.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I help my clients, then get out of their way.

A stable system doesn't require constantly paying to maintain it.

I take pride in my work. I give good value. I don't nickel and dime.

I'm a professional. I get it right the first time.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I've seen many customers have nice little moments of "Ah Ha!" when they get how something works.

It pleases me.

Teach a man to fish.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. The field of computers is huge from the very specialized to the very general, from individual systems to very large installations.

And service providers vary just as much. Take the time to find a professional who fits your needs. Doing so will save you money and time, and avoid problems in the long run.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I devote a regular number of hours every week to study and practice. One must to stay current.

And I use what I recommend. Because it is the best available.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. Open source continues to grow at the speed of the internet, with innovation and quality far faster than any other platform. Open source is the coming and present wave that will last through the future. Most major businesses already have open source doing critical work in the background. It's what makes the internet work and runs Google.

This is an exciting period of growth for quality and reliable open source software well suited to the constraints of the new economy. And it is an excellent time to start the transition away from the expenses and hassles of old unstable systems and move to new reliable and secure systems.

Only specialized uses still need Windows or Apple. And more and more Windows software will run on Ubuntu and other Linux systems.

Ubuntu gives the best overall performance for general and business use. And you can just download software you need, tested and free. Updates, of everything, are automatic, and reliable. The process of getting and updating open source software far surpasses anything available on any other platform.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. I have an ongoing project of advising a non-profit, of which I was a board member, in transitioning to CiviCRM for membership and event management.