Technical
I am not available for technical work, as I can only support a limited number of clients, being one person with finite time, and I can only pick up new clients as old clients are closed out. There is no such thing to me called 'service only when needed' or 'come look at my system for an hour' (this is best left to your local yellow-pages computer repairman), because all systems need a fresh xp install done in a certain exact way, and then followed with scheduled maintenance just as humans need their own daily care. Before the internet this maintenance was not as important (beyond cleaning the drive and such) but now all your programs connect to the internet and that brings with it good and bad points. All un-maintained systems will slowly degrade over months and get slower, this is a 100% guarantee; whereas my systems get faster over time because of proper maintenance including updating software and drivers for hardware, among other types of system optimizations (some things can be set to 'auto' but that can cause problems within itself, and does not do 'the full job'). Proper monthly maintenance also means no surprises for you such a sudden-death failures and unexpected incompatiblities and issues.
I build computers, I build networks, I setup multimedia offices and rooms and calibrate all, and I setup security and wiring for installations, and I am highly experienced in settings up any type of accessory one can imagine. The items I use or those under my 'control' use I have read the manuals completely, I have disassembled and reassembled the parts like one does his gun in the military, and I have direct communication with the manufacturers so when I need something fixed it is done fastest possible.
I also can help any business optimize their workflow when it comes to the work they perform on their systems, so much so it pays for my paid time many times over; I return a good dividend. I can create workflows, flowcharts, and can review a company to see where their weak points are and how to strengthen them. I can promise good security that the client can self-manage, but I cannot promise total security, as any system in the world can, and has been, compromised to one degree or another. I enjoy brainstorming and my mind literally writhes with the possibilities once I get a full view of a company.
If I do not know something I will tell you, if I make a mistake I will tell you how I did it and how I will correct myself; I have nothing to hide in my weaknesses and always play devils advocated within my own head, as that is the only way to continue the learning processes in life. I also can sit down with someone and explain in detail what they want or need to know, in terms that they can easily digest. No matter how much you are a professional in your field, even if you have spent decades in tech fields, there will still be things can show you to help you on your road; I have yet to meet someone who I couldn't help, and I love to learn new things and ideas from people.
But again, I can only support so many clients at one time, and giving someone outside of that 'help', will only tend to frustrate them because I'll show them things that need to be done, but then end with 'but I can't do it and cannot point you to anyone else'.
Though it has no bearing in my life, I'm in MENSA and received a SBA/SDA Top Secret clearance at 19 when I was in training for electronics and arabic cryptolinguistic intelligence in Monterey, California. I'll say I left that 'career' early for reasons, and immediately moved on to living a life more valid to me, which means working on my own to serve people directly with honesty instead of being more a 'tool' of someone else's desires. I have worked within many NDAs and I have an unfailing level of trust I offer everyone, as well as every drop of brain power I can squeeze from this thing.
Creative
I am more available to perform work such as photography, design, print work, website design, editorials, aesthetic and effective work layouts, and many other creative endeavors on demand; this is easier work to do for the 'general public', as it does not require the highest level of trust, and regularly scheduled support and 24/7 support as technical work does. I do not take on projects if I question the outcome, and I will study on my own time all that is needed to ensure the work from me is of the highest degree. I believe it does not matter, for instance, that everyone has a camera, because even with a million people in the same field, there still can only be a certain number whos work is ranked the best, and that is what I aim for, I do not want anything I do to be mistaken for anyone elses work. Much of my 'off time' is spent studying, tweaking, reworking, as well as meditation, to make sure my 'on time' runs effectively.
Rules of engagement
My word is my resume and contract. I require a 100% level of trust from a client.
I need them to listen to what I say and I endeavor to do the same.
There can exist no rough spots nor hidden agendas or feelings between us.
I believe a business relationship is a symbiotic relationship where what I offer, and what I do will give a good return of investment.
I want to be paid my dollar, but I want to ensure the client gets two dollars worth of business themselves.
I put my heart into work, not just my hands and head, and I believe I give all I can with no half-heartedness.
I do not believe in excuses, and I will be first to acknowledge and apologize for my mistakes, shortcomings, and misunderstandings.
The money I ask for pay is below the value because it ensures I am not motivated purely by financial intentions but am driven by what I see as potential for experience.
I work on the single-most intimate item in a persons life; their computer. This means I will see more about someone than an average person sees, so I need to know I am fully trusted with any and all information that resides there. A client must know I have chosen them as a client to the same degree that they have chosen me as a provider of service; I only take on about 1 of 20 requests for various reasons of my personal 'measurement'.
If a client does not see me as an open book with genuine intentions at any point, then someone else would serve them better, and everything I setup can easily be transferred into someone elses hands. I make nothing proprietary nor lock anything out.
Notes
If I come across as some type of 'virtual governing body' when it comes to computers, so be it; for someone has got to take control of a computer and take responsibilities for it, as all computers have dozens of companies vying for its' control.
I know I have your best interests at heart, without hidden agendas since I have worked in as many 'fields' in this life as I found the opportunity to, and I am completely happy with my 'here and now', so I have no reason to 'sell' myself as more than I am. I have spent 26+ years daily with hardware, software, operatings systems, and the internet, and I am always testing, optimizing, and ensuring everything works as it was originally designed for, and will last for years to come. I do not buy into gimmicky hardware or software no matter how much it may seem like the 'next great thing'. Compatibility, reliability, effectivevess, and open-standards comes before other bells and whistles.
We are in a trend where companies are trying to steer people away from being able to control, view, and access their own folders and files on all things electronics, and people are welcoming these trends, but I work in the opposite direction.
If a computer was your home (as an analogy), you would have about 2-3 dozen people from various companies just wandering about your house, poking around your shelves, cabinets, and closets, studying all you're doing in life, and reporting back to unknown people about all you do. They would be taking up space, they would be using your utilities and electric, you would have to walk around them, they would be purposely breaking items to get you to buy another one, or breaking competitive items so you thought they were inferior, they would prevent you from reading certain books or certain tv shows, and they would also be leaving windows and patio doors open so not only more of them could keep crowding in over the years, but that thieves and criminals could also walk in as well. This is the technology field of today as I see it; a house you own, but you only get to stay in the smallest room while everyone else runs your house.
No longer is a program 'just' a program file and no longer does a piece of hardware 'just' need the simple program to run it. In fact you can barely squeeze into your own system with so much hidden garbage trying to fill every virtual inch. An average new system from any company now has over 50 running processes (programs) all night and all day, even when you have no windows open, and stop this with no negative effects, only positive ones. A new system I install has only 15 processes needed to make windows run. From that point on, only when you run a program does a program truly run, and when you close it, it simply closes. This does not happen on 99.99% of computers today, and it is getting worse. Think; If todays home computer is the supercomputer of 6-7 years ago, then why does it take so long for a window to open when billions of calculations are happening by the second? |