Over the last 10+ years, I have been fortunate to be involved in the production of successful web applications, TVCS and other multimedia projects for a variety of government, commercial and non commercial organisations.
// March 12th, 2010 // No Comments » // awesomeness, friends
Someone sent me an email with this web site, cubeecraft.com. It looks a lot of fun.
“Each toy features interlocking tabs for construction – eliminating the need for tape, glue or other messy adhesives. To download click on the model you would like then save the template image. “
Might make a few different ones for parties or around the office.
// July 21st, 2009 // No Comments » // friends, web development
If you’ve been in the web developing business for a decent amount of time, then you know this scenario all too well: You’re sitting there talking with a friend or a potential client. The two of you start talking websites and all that they can do. Then they ask that inevitably vague questions, “How much does a website cost, anyway?”
That is possibly the most asked question I receive from friends, family, and especially potential clients. Those of us in the web industry almost shun trying to answer this question. Already we’re dealing with a different mindset.
Before you answer quickly with a smart reply and lose a potential sale or embarrass anyone, realize that not everyone is a computer nerd like you. To most people a website means you have a dotcom and people can find you on the web. One method I have found useful in dealing with this question is I ask the potential client, “How much does a car cost?”
They usually reply with, “Well, that depends on the car.”
This is the answer you want to get them to. From there you can explain that a website is similar to a car. The make, model, and accessories of one car to the next can vary drastically, and the price depends on all of these variables. Do you want the affordable Neon or do you want the super-sexy Porsche? Or how about a XR6 Ute? Are you looking for a car just to get you to and from work? Or do you need a truck that can handle off-road excursions?
Then there’s always the option of how many people you are going to be driving around. Do you need a minivan? A bus? A whole fleet of company vehicles?
And let us not forget those extras: 6 Disc CD changer, air condition, automatic windows, leather seats, hydraulics, and the list goes on and on.
Using this analogy can help anyone get a better understanding of web development. Once you and the client have discussed cars, you can easily transition into web talk. Do they need a site just to put their picture on with a phone number? Or are they trying to create the next Amazon.com? These have very specific requirements and will take different amounts of time and resources to complete, thus they will have very different prices.
This leads into the second most asked question of web developers, “How long does a website take to make?”
You get the idea.
The next time you are faced with the vague question of pricing a website, use it as an opportunity to educate, not insult, the questioner. That way you both can benefit from the opportunity.
// October 10th, 2004 // No Comments » // friends, rambling
Yesterday was great. A few weird phone calls but all in all was a nice relaxing day with my mates for my birfday.
On-line life is a funny little thing. You can come across many types of people. At least with the ones that annoy you you can hit ignore. But I have made some excellent friends online. Most of these people I will trust more then people I know off line. It has been my on line buddies that have helped me over difficult times more than my off line buddies. It is really sad when life ends up like that.
But with life changing having supportive people around makes things a lot easier. I will admit I have gone back into more of an online life more than offline as my offline life ended up being a mess. It is nice when people condem you when they don’t know the full story. And a what lengths they will go to to do so. Very sad when a person claims to be you “friend” and does sneaky little things and hope that you will not find out. If some people only knew the truth about some things they may stop and think twice before they go making phone calls or emails. But unlike these people I will not sink to their level. I know I can very easily. But I have more class than that.
How is it that class is decided on money factor. Not in my book. class is all about how you relate and treat others. There are some people that I have known and they have had a lot of money, but they have no idea about how to treat people. And others that don’t have two cents to rub together are lovely people and would do anything for you. It also swings the other way too.
Being lower class or a bogan has nothing to do with where you dine, where you like to have fun, what you like to drink etc. It is all about how you can treat a person.
Well, back to work for me.
