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Acmlm's Board - I2 Archive - Programming - Get paid! | | | |
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kiwibonga Double metal axe Level: 27 Posts: 250/266 EXP: 106040 For next: 10119 Since: 03-15-04 From: Montreal, QC, Canada Since last post: 126 days Last activity: 3 days |
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Howdy guys, long time no see I've been working lately (for the past 3 weeks approximately) writing code for people. Check out: http://www.rentacoder.com The site is basically an auction site. Buyers post bid requests (project descriptions) and coders get to bid on the projects by indicating a price and a comment (which very often serves as a motivational letter) When a buyer accepts your request, they pay for what you ask to RentACoder, and the funds aren't released to you until you complete the work. This is great because it means nobody can take advantage of you! So far I've completed 7 small jobs there for a total of $116. I'm currently working on a PHP/MySQL content management system for $500 (started two weeks ago). BUT THERE IS A CATCH! They take... 15% from your earnings. If the 15% are less than $3, they take $3 from you. It's a big rip off if you ask me... So I actually made $91.50, not $116, but that's still AWESOME!!! Instead of sitting there doing nothing, playing some stupid games and chatting with dumb people on IRC, I make smart money and smart work experience. Smart > dumb. They pay by paypal, snail mail, western union... It's great because I'm not really allowed to work if you take into account ahem... immigration laws... But since they're in the US and I'm in Canada, I CAN!! (Well, I think I can. I shouldn't get arrested anytime soon though) It'll have taken 20 years for me to make my first penny, if you don't take baby sittings and walking the neighbor's dog into account They also have a "certification" program, you get to publish certification exam results from expertrating.com in your profile (you can do them from home) -- I'm going to use my next paycheck to pay for exams -- they send you a printed document that certifies that you took the exam and stuff... Awesome thing to attach on a resume, or like, above the fireplace... I don't know... So well.. I thought it might be nice to let the people here know about it, since there's some rather good PHP coders, or maybe some hobbyists who want to get a taste of the working world... Anyways... I have a $116 headstart, but does anyone want to do a challenge? Whoever makes the most money in one year wins! Wins what? The pride of having won the challenge, of course. HAHA I'm making money doing something I like. I want to sing it. I want to dance it. Woohoo. Join me. And uh, no, I didn't get paid to spam for rentacoder... On a sidenote, this is the only free site I could find that allows coders to bid on projects without paying a monthly fee... Since I'm going to be making money with RentACoder... Maybe I should subscribe to another service where you actually have to pay to find work, I'm guessing they don't charge a whole 15% Does anyone know about such services or have experience with them? Oh yeah, and share your professional programming experience if you have any! Hmm... Forget all that. Make a new forum called "kiwi's thread about rentacoder." Yeah huh. |
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HyperLamer <||bass> and this was the soloution i thought of that was guarinteed to piss off the greatest amount of people Sesshomaru Tamaranian Level: 118 Posts: 2788/8210 EXP: 18171887 For next: 211027 Since: 03-15-04 From: Canada, w00t! LOL FAD Since last post: 2 hours Last activity: 2 hours |
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What, you mean this isn't a scam? | |||
dan Snap Dragon Level: 43 Posts: 325/782 EXP: 534516 For next: 30530 Since: 03-15-04 Since last post: 20 hours Last activity: 14 hours |
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No, this thing has been around for quite a while. I think it's run by the same guys as Planet Source Code. Well, I first heard about there. Edit - Meh, looks like I'd probably not be able to do it, due to the fact I don't have a PayPal account, and I live in the UK. (edited by dan on 01-03-05 08:36 AM) |
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HellSavior Red Goomba Level: 12 Posts: 30/41 EXP: 6398 For next: 1523 Since: 03-18-04 Since last post: 212 days Last activity: 110 days |
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Hey Kiwi! Remember me? . You're the guy who started me up in computer hardware, the guy who helped me out with my first build a 4 years ago. I'm now studying CS; haven't seen you for a while. Best of luck with rentacoder. |
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Parasyte Bullet Bill Level: 35 Posts: 175/514 EXP: 267348 For next: 12588 Since: 05-25-04 Since last post: 104 days Last activity: 32 days |
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I looked into Rent-A-Coder about two or three years ago, and decided not to sign up because of that 15% thing. The added "$3 minimum bonus" (their bonus, of course) means you need to make at least $20 per job to make as much as you possibly can. I guess in the end, you can think of 15% as a tax. Only 2 or 3 times greater than government taxes. That said, I don't know that I feel comfortable working for Rent-A-Coder. My pride gets in the way. And I may be a bit spoiled, considering I made $9,000 USD on a personally contracted job. (15% of that would be $1,350!!!) However, when the need for extra cash arises, it's a pretty good option for any programmer. |
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kiwibonga Double metal axe Level: 27 Posts: 251/266 EXP: 106040 For next: 10119 Since: 03-15-04 From: Montreal, QC, Canada Since last post: 126 days Last activity: 3 days |
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Well, you can lower that % down to 10%, for big projects you ask for "preferred payment" and one-on-one auctions... I think it's worth it in the sense that you can just sit there in front of the computer, find a job, watch porn and cartoons... And get paid... heh. |
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HyperLamer <||bass> and this was the soloution i thought of that was guarinteed to piss off the greatest amount of people Sesshomaru Tamaranian Level: 118 Posts: 2795/8210 EXP: 18171887 For next: 211027 Since: 03-15-04 From: Canada, w00t! LOL FAD Since last post: 2 hours Last activity: 2 hours |
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Could be nice, but of course most of the 'jobs' are things that are quite difficult, if not impossible, to do. (Since if it's easy enough, it'd be on PSC.) Stable multithreading in VB6, haha. Programs to cheat at online casinos, I think not. | |||
Narf Hi Tuvai! (reregistering while banned) Level: 16 Posts: 4/100 EXP: 17634 For next: 2622 Since: 12-26-04 Since last post: 22 hours Last activity: 14 hours |
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I just started my own one-man webdesign and programming company (so that I have a legally registered company and tax number, which is vital if you use bills), and it works onders. You can have your own rules, and you're pretty much in command of everything. And the fact that I take care of everything I do myself, I have personal contact with clients which just works better than being a large company and seeing clients as just another number. Having an own company like that works wonders, the only thing that was a bit hard in the beginning was getting known and being spotted between all those hundreds of other webdesign/programming companies just in this one country. But, once I made some websites for a few clients (on which I all leave a logo indicating it was made by me, which links to my own website) I quickly got more clients and traffic. Another thing I do is not being rediculously expensive. Seriously, I've seen webdesign companies that ask $5000 for a webshop or discussion forum script. That's rediculous. A webshop or simple discussion forum takes me less than 2 weeks, and with a little luck maybe less than one week, to make. I'm cheaper than the majority of the other companies, and money's what matters. My very first assignment was a simple webshop script with a CMS included, it took me 3 days and I charged €275 for it, the client payed me the double, €550. the only disadvantage of having your own company is that you need to document everything you do to prevent it from being 'illegal', plus, of course, the tax. Let's say I earn €500, I have to give 9% of that (€45) away, basically. Still, I made a lot of money with it, try it out. |
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windwaker Ball and Chain Trooper WHY ALL THE MAYONNAISE HATE Level: 61 Posts: 957/1797 EXP: 1860597 For next: 15999 Since: 03-15-04 Since last post: 4 days Last activity: 6 days |
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W00t, an easy way to find people to make sites for ^^. I'll be checking this out, someone already accepted me. Yay. Edit: any good tips for getting projects when you have no ratings? =D (edited by windwaker on 01-10-05 11:44 PM) |
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kiwibonga Double metal axe Level: 27 Posts: 253/266 EXP: 106040 For next: 10119 Since: 03-15-04 From: Montreal, QC, Canada Since last post: 126 days Last activity: 3 days |
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Originally posted by windwaker I do have tips, I really had fun writing up bids for a while, pretending that I knew what I was doing. I went up until the point where the buyer asks me to put in a bid, and I'd pull out saying "I just got another job, I'm sorry, I can't work with you, but keep me in your favorites list!!" -- did that 3 times so far, I'm really getting the hang of this ;p. - Set a low price for your first job (but pick a small one, put $4 or $5 as your bid) - Say that it looks simple enough for you to do it quickly. You can even say "I did the work in advance for you, I will send it as soon as you accept the bid" -- it's very good for some things... If a script will only take 1 hour to make, you can even lie! If you're in front of your computer all day and the bid is accepted, you can rush and make the script and then send it, making it seem like you forgot to check your email for about an hour, and you get a rating of 10 - Do not populate your bid with "if you pick my bid" -- say it once, and talk at the future tense throughout the rest of the bid, that worked pretty well for me... (Learn from the presidential election: never doubt that you'll win, cause it's illegal to doubt!) - DO NOT say you are an awesome coder, do not supply a list of sites you've worked on. They don't give a shit. Just make sure your 'resume' page mentions knowledge of the language(s) in question. - DO NOT post just a comment asking for more precisions, do that when you're a multi million dollar developer like me! Chances are if you don't know what the project is at first sight, the buyer will waste your time, look for another one ;p - NEVER!!!! say you're just doing it for the ratings. Buyers do not give a SHIT about your ratings. They want the job done. This is not a game. They pay MONEY and it sure as hell doesn't matter that you're getting something out of this, they want the job done, period. Buyers sometimes like suggestions. Make sure to transform each thing they leave out into a suggestion, rather than stalling with questions! You'll notice that sometimes people get the job over you even though: 1. they can't speak english for shit 2. they set a higher price 3. they have the same, higher or lower rating #2 is the most important. As you gain ratings, there's minimum prices you can never bid on anymore. Don't bid $5 after you get rated 10 on your first job or two, leave those to the noobs! You can already start going for $20-$70 jobs!! Buyers won't pick you if you bid too low, because even if you're just doing it for the rating, they'll think that you failed to gauge the job properly and will go for someone else! Hmm that's all the advice I can give... Running out of ideas ;p Paste your fKitten Yiffers, if you don't mind, and show the winning bid, I'll tell you how to improve |
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windwaker Ball and Chain Trooper WHY ALL THE MAYONNAISE HATE Level: 61 Posts: 966/1797 EXP: 1860597 For next: 15999 Since: 03-15-04 Since last post: 4 days Last activity: 6 days |
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Well, I've been turned down three times so far, but I'm confident that out of my five $5 bids, I'll get accepted at least once . The articles don't help much, but your tips will (I think ). Edit: just lied about having finished a project already (was a $5 bid, but hey =D). (edited by windwaker on 01-12-05 07:12 PM) |
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Gavin Fuzzy Rhinoceruses don't play games. They fucking charge your ass. Level: 43 Posts: 376/799 EXP: 551711 For next: 13335 Since: 03-15-04 From: IL, USA Since last post: 13 hours Last activity: 13 hours |
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i was turned down a few times too, some months ago. i had 2-3 of the projects pre-written as well. somewhat frustrating, but i'm thinking about giving it another go sometime soon. | |||
Narf Hi Tuvai! (reregistering while banned) Level: 16 Posts: 5/100 EXP: 17634 For next: 2622 Since: 12-26-04 Since last post: 22 hours Last activity: 14 hours |
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Kiwi: "DO NOT say you are an awesome coder, do not supply a list of sites you've worked on. They don't give a shit. Just make sure your 'resume' page mentions knowledge of the language(s) in question. " I disagree somewhat. Companies don't just want to hire any random coder that claims he can make shit, but can't supply any proof or experience. They want to be sure they're not hiring someone with zero experience. When I get new clients contacting me, they almost always ask for a portfolio. A portfolio is a good thing, basically, the bigger the portfolio, the more it says "Look at how much of an experienced/good webdesigner/programmer I am!". Not to forget, a portfolio is a bit of a 'power display', a webdesigner/programmer that has very popular and well running sites in his portfolio, such as ones being advertised on TV or websites dedicated to a celeb/TV-show, will make a majority of the clients go "Wow, I want that same webdesigner that made Justin Timberlake's website!", for example. A portfolio is the most effective way for a webdesigner/programmer to say "Look what I'm capable of!". As for a list of programming languages you know, it's a nice thing to put in your profile, or your website for that matter, but the majority of clients don't even know what a programming language is, let alone terms such as 'PHP', 'XHTML' and/or 'Javascript'. (edited by Narf on 01-13-05 04:24 AM) (edited by Narf on 01-13-05 04:25 AM) (edited by Narf on 01-13-05 04:26 AM) |
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Gavin Fuzzy Rhinoceruses don't play games. They fucking charge your ass. Level: 43 Posts: 377/799 EXP: 551711 For next: 13335 Since: 03-15-04 From: IL, USA Since last post: 13 hours Last activity: 13 hours |
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Originally posted by Narf a good point. "I know how to created structured XHTML 1.0 strict documents in conjunction with CSS" does not translate into "I can develope a fully functional and validated business or personal webpage" to the non-technically inclined. I'm thinking putting both technical aspects and practical laymens terms down couldn't hurt. |
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Narf Hi Tuvai! (reregistering while banned) Level: 16 Posts: 6/100 EXP: 17634 For next: 2622 Since: 12-26-04 Since last post: 22 hours Last activity: 14 hours |
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Originally posted by GavinExactly. The thing I did on my portfolio/website was putting a list with things that makes me a good choice for clients when it comes to webdesign/programming, and I did it like the following: - Clean, compliant pages (read more) - Secure scripts (read more) - Using bandwidth and multimedia efficiently (read more) with 'read more' being a link to a page where the 'whole story' is explained, basically. |
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windwaker Ball and Chain Trooper WHY ALL THE MAYONNAISE HATE Level: 61 Posts: 970/1797 EXP: 1860597 For next: 15999 Since: 03-15-04 Since last post: 4 days Last activity: 6 days |
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I've noticed, there're a lot of n00bz0rs on that site. N00bz0rz with money . |
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Narf Hi Tuvai! (reregistering while banned) Level: 16 Posts: 7/100 EXP: 17634 For next: 2622 Since: 12-26-04 Since last post: 22 hours Last activity: 14 hours |
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Oh trust me, there's more newbies and fakers in the world of webdesign/programming than actually experienced people. Believe it or not, out of all the emails I get from people that landed on my webdesign page, most of the emails are stupid HTML, Javascript and mostly scripting questions from other webdesigners and/or programmer! Not to forget, if you examine a website built by a webdesign company closely, you'll often find that they just implemented downloadable scripts and sometimes even used downloadable site templates! Too bad 'dumb' clients usually don't know jack shit about this, that's why they want someone else to take care of their website in the first place. |
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Parasyte Bullet Bill Level: 35 Posts: 188/514 EXP: 267348 For next: 12588 Since: 05-25-04 Since last post: 104 days Last activity: 32 days |
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I admit it! I decided to finally sign up. Between classes and a job, I'll probably have very little free time. But whatever time I do have available, I may as well make use of it, making silly websites and whatnot. But damn, I'm still so disgusted by that 15% thing. The company behind RentACoder gets paid for a huge portion of the work YOU do, simply because they set up the work for you. Looking on the bright side, it could be worse. |
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windwaker Ball and Chain Trooper WHY ALL THE MAYONNAISE HATE Level: 61 Posts: 981/1797 EXP: 1860597 For next: 15999 Since: 03-15-04 Since last post: 4 days Last activity: 6 days |
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I figure I'd rather have them take away 15% of revenue I'd receive from Rent a Coder than 0% of revenue I'd never receive. Have yet to get a job . |
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Zem You can be civil without being flowery, dipshits. Level: 49 Posts: 562/1107 EXP: 829398 For next: 54485 Since: 06-13-04 Since last post: 131 days Last activity: 131 days |
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Hmm. I'm considering doing this instead of a job. My living expenses aren't that high. |
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