Site Security Issue!!

[MoroneSaxatilis]

Originally Posted by JohnR

MoroneSaxatilis - Please understand this guy does not really seem to be a Guru, but a hack

Exactly

[labrax]

John,

Thanks for your reply. I think you can probably do well if you decide to go out on your own, but as one individual it may be tough.

I think that you can do okay setting up people's wireless networks, getting people set up with the VoIP set-ups, imaging machines, removing spyware & viruses etc., but it takes a little time to build-up the positive word of mouth and get people to take their stuff to you and not over to CompUSA or the Geek Squad. Once you build a reputation for treating people fairly and knowing what you are doing you will probably be a very busy guy.

I think the better money is setting up computers and networks for small businesses - like realtors, independent insurance agents, dentists, etc. They have the cash to spend and there is the potential there to get follow up business to keeping everything running with updates and patches. The downside is that they have a business that needs to be running - so you cannot put them off a day when they call. A bit rough if you are running the show by yourself, but potential for more money - especially if they have you on a sort to tech service retainer.

Don't undervalue what you do either. Like I mentioned in my first post - some people look at you like you are about to violate their poodle when you tell them what you charge, but think about how much a dentist charges for a cavity, a root canal or a crown - heck, I am sure many of the plug builders on this site have more skill with a drill and a file than my last dentist. People don't bat an eye when they spend $30-$35 for an oil change, or $75/hr for a mechanic. Think about how many people have told you they have had their brakes done - and the bill was north of $500? Well you are the PC mechanic - the mechanic that works on the machine that holds their business records, billing info, taxes, personal data, I-tunes music collection, email archive, etc. For a lot of people a pc crash can mean a huge headache. If you can step in and make it all right - then what is that worth to them?

Good luck,

Pete

[JohnR]

Pete - thanks! My basic premise is having a few "profit centers" to build up and get going. Yes, more dollars may be involved in small business services and that would actually be the likely focus. I'm working on a fairly soup to nuts system that would provide centralized desktop / server type services of the enterprise into the small and real small business ... I'm looking to round that out with the home PC support (where I can also apply some managed services )

[jugstah]

I do a lot of referrals from home users who need their computer fixed. Most of the time, its because their computers are running like someone dumped molasses on 'em and put it outside in the cold.

Often, if I know them personally, I have them bring their CPU by and drop it off for a day or three, and I get it fixed on my own time, and charge them a flat fee to have it fixed.

It is just supplemental income.

And if there's a hardware replacement needing to be done, I let them know and tell them where to go get the replacement parts and they can pay for it themselves and drop it off.

Its their time, gas and money. :-)

[kennebecstriper]

LABRAX...VIOLATE THEIR POODLE!!!!! I love that, sorry but I gotta use that one