276 karma · joined April 24, 2012
python-- yaml--
This will all solely depend on your clients, their needs, and goals. Most of the time they have some sort of goal time frame for which they want to launch. You should offer them a visual schedule, and in that schedule allocate the time they have for feedback. I usually state 2 business days across the board. I also make it very clear at the initial kick off of the project that delays in feedback automatically extend the delivery date to of the final product. I also inform them I don't pad my schedule (I actually do, sometimes). It's also important to clearly communicate when feedback is due. I often include a mini chart, of when each feedback is due in each communication, again just to hammer the point. It would also be important to pull dates from the client of when they might have issues making those deadlines, ie we have a conference, board meeting, etc.
Internally this is a total issue for small companies or freelancers. I would add into your services contract that that delays of X% or value can result in a change order. Additionally it might result in a drop in resource availability for the project. Also - you might state that the project could be set to be delayed by your company and replaced with other projects while the delay occurs and will be subject to re-scheduling, of course this could totally fuck up your pipeline too. I would recommend termination, and cancellation, in particular if you bill against line items and you don't typically stay with in line item budgets.
The real issue is sales...you make the sale because you have to. Then you stick the project on some poor PM/Ba/Dev who will fight with them forever over this stuff.
Maybe I'm just bitter about the situation that I continually get stuck in.
Overall I really like the blackberry platform it was great for messaging. Its to bad they weren't able to stay on top of the market but this is what happens.
If you're thinking Agency/Freelance, I'd look at agencies that you'd like to work for. Check out any blog posts from the tech team, or current openings. Sometimes there's little tidbits in there if they're shifting tech directions.
If you're wanting to work for a startup, I'd suggest looking in the startups in your current location. They're may or may not be a correlation to the technology that's being used.
If you want to work for a corporation, you would probably be best to learn .NET/Java. I know that's going to annoy someone but for the most part companies want .NET.
You could also base in on the who's hiring trends if that's your goal.[1]
If you want to learn for heck of it, pick a technology that seems to draw you.
You're better asking "How can I reasonably secure a VPS to make someone's life far more difficult."
That just depends on your ability to market yourself. In reality I would suspect you'll just evolve into hiring people to reduce risks associated with freelancers.
I assume you have some legal contract that you put in place with your clients. I would ensure that it says you can subcontract out work.
Personally I use a different style keyboard and mouse at work and at home to change my movements and posture. I also make sure I take appropriate breaks but I tend to have attention issues so that's not a problem for me.
I would note you might want to protect against things like "help me get laid" I see it it on the homepage just a moment ago. while a legit request, you'll likely lose users over it. I can imagine there will be other crazy and illegal requests too.
It can help with the first job but rarely matters.
I ask because I find it harder to believe that they are responsible for this. Just like I don't trust the YouTube videos either. I would find it more likely that three letter agencies are involved as PR.
According to my current employeer they wont be able to purchase 100% coverage using the health exchange. So personally this is going to start costing me significantly more...
Edit:Apparently - our benefits consultant commented that it would be cheaper for individuals to purchase their own health insurance. I guess I will deal with that when the time comes.
It was nothing but politics...I managed for a year but left when I felt mentally unchallenged...so I left.
I've been a Technical PM for a while...
I've grown tired of dealing with Clients on a daily basis. I'm tired of the days of back to back meetings or meetings every half hour on the hour to deal with 8 different clients that want attention to piddly problems.
For me I'd much rather switch to a technical management route.
I have a w520.
It's not worth it by any means. You'll likely cause more harm to yourself vs them. I would hope management is aware of the lack of skills this person has. If not it's probably time to bring your concern to management. I wouldn't suggest taking a tit-for-tat approach to their inability. It should be how they're impacting your work and that you're afraid of how consequences would roll back on you.
Management should setup milestones/goals for the employee to improve him/herself with the resources that they'll need. If they can't meet this milestones it's grounds for dismissal. To be ethical and legal one should give their due diligence in trying to give the employee the best opportunity to succeed.
EDIT: I fully acknowledge the desire to 'unleash the beast' on incompetent people.