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View Full Version : What Can You Get For Under $100?


Andy Sjostrom
12-02-2002, 04:07 PM
I subscribe to a daily developer newsletter that contains information about projects that companies and people seek developers for. Most often the projects involve Web and database development. I enjoy reading about what people are up to, but this newsletter has really become a great source of humor. Read on the see what some want for under US $100! This is just a small sample!<br /><!><br /><b>November the 24th</b><br />"What I'm looking for is a complete client/project/accounts/invoicing application I can use to track who my clients are, what they ordered, when annual payments are next due, invoices sent, outstanding payments, payments made, payments outstanding etc. I've attached a diagram in PowerPoint that I did a while ago to plan the eventual database and what is required, but it is incomplete. The successful bidder will demonstrate a complete understanding of my requirements (which will be clarifed by email corresondence) and provide suggested ways of optimising the database. Additionally, the successful bidder will provide HTML forms to host on an Intranet that interact with the dtabase and provide HTML reports for invoices outstanding, domains due for renewal, accounts, bank balance etc. by date. When logging in, outstanding payments and domain name renewals due for payment in the next 30 days must be notified to the user. The successful bidder will not offer a solution based based on components - it must be native ASP code for use on IIS without .NET Bidders will quote for a solution that initially uses Access, but must be scaleable to MS SQL via an entry in a config. file. All instructions for upscaling Access to MS SQL must be provided. HTML reports must be customisable via the use of templates. I also need to know what reports you can/will provide from the database. Please note that whoever submits a bid and gets the job, we will not be held to ransom and feel obliged to pay a bonus payment. What you bid is what you'll receive - a fair payment for a fair couple of days work. Source code changes and database to be sent daily."<br /><br /><b>November the 26th</b><br />"Good Flash developers wanted. Id like to develop educational flash games for kids. I need good artworks that kids will like. And good suggestions are always welcome."<br /><br /><b>December the 1st</b><br />"Hi everyone. I'm looking for a chatsite script that is similar to two different websites online. One of them is dockwave.com I've created a test account so you can go there and login and see what it does. Login is 13535 password is testing. Basically its an html chat room with a guestbook concept. Each member has their own account - and is allowed "avatars" of a certain max measurement to be uploaded to their account for their usage. With a difference between public and paid accounts. ie limits are imposed on paid accounts. The rooms themselves are multiple in nature. Can have private rooms. And all rooms can be moderated by a user with a certain status - moderator most likely - to be able to ban someone and or close rooms if necessary. Another chatroom to take a look at is the-pork.com Login brat password testing."<br /><br />I know that it's free to ask... but this is funny, in my opinion! :lol:

Venturello
12-02-2002, 04:32 PM
Funny... sent it to my boss and friends.

Can I ask which newsletter you are talking about? Besides, what pocketpc development newsletter are out there?

Jimmy Dodd
12-02-2002, 04:58 PM
Especially funny is the first item's "couple days work" estimation. This reminds me of the Dilbert cartoon where the pointy-haired boss is describing Dilbert's new project. He begins with the disclaimer that he assumed that anything he (the boss) doesn't understand is trivial. "Design a global network of satellite based communications systems. Time to completion: two days."

I've actually had potential customers comment that they shouldn't have to pay as much or allocate as much time for custom Pocket PC apps because, refering to the Pocket PC itself, "they're smaller." I've also had customers ask for a Pocket PC version of custom software for free because they've already paid to have the desktop version written.

Anytime I hear comments like these I usually triple my time estimates - it turns out to be pretty accurate. :lol:

cholcomb
12-02-2002, 05:02 PM
Andy,

What newsletter is this?

Adam
12-02-2002, 05:06 PM
That first one reminds me of the colleague who heard an IT director ask someone, "How much is an Intranet"?

Andy Sjostrom
12-02-2002, 09:12 PM
Andy,

What newsletter is this?

It's from Rent A Coder: http://www.RentACoder.com/

The service they provide is excellent, but there are indeed a few odd requests...

Don Tolson
12-02-2002, 10:08 PM
The not-so-funny part of this (as most of you have pointed out) is that these people are probably serious in their requests and estimates of what it takes to do things. I work in consulting for the government and I get this all the time -- high expectations of what can be accomplished in very short timeframes and no money. It's an unfortunate reality in my business.

Oh well....

Kati Compton
12-02-2002, 10:59 PM
The not-so-funny part of this (as most of you have pointed out) is that these people are probably serious in their requests and estimates of what it takes to do things. I work in consulting for the government and I get this all the time -- high expectations of what can be accomplished in very short timeframes and no money. It's an unfortunate reality in my business.

Sounds like my graduate advisor. Something about which he said "Oh, that should take you a couple hours" turned into a major project and paper. ;)