Freelancing on Rails
Posted by Craig Ambrose on December 12, 2006 at 03:05 AM
I’ve just released the second episode of my podcast, with ideas and discussion for freelance computer programmers (particularly ruby on rails ones). I figure two episodes on schedule means that it’s serious enough that it’s worth me blogging about it.
If you haven’t already have a listen, have a look over at http://www.craigambrose.com/podcasts for all the details. The first episode was a bit longer, but I’ve settled into a ten minute format, with a fairly snappy coverage of a particular topic each episode.
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Hi Craig,
I’ve listened to your podcast and looking forward to hearing more on rails particularly since I’m new to it and web development generally. Plus from your accent on the podcasts you sound like an Aussie so great to hear some rails info coming out of downunder.
Hi Rob,
I was just up in Sydney last week. Were you one of the rails developers that I met at the rails meetup last week? I have trouble with faces and names sometimes. Anyway, glad that you liked it.
No unfortunately I wasn’t but it would have been good to meet with some experience rails developers. I’m pretty new to rails an development but from what I’ve done in Rails so far I have really enjoyed. If your ever Sydney feel free to drop me an email.
Hi Craig,
I enjoyed this episode. I will start teleworking “full-time” again very soon, so the advice related to ergonomics made me think about my workplace.
You talked about the need of being always available during usual business hours. Do your clients require you to (or you find it very helpful) to reply to e-mails immediately? How does that go along with the “alone time” (you also mentioned) you need to get things done?
Hi Jan,
To be honest, I haven’t entirelly got this one figured out. :) Yes, clients do have some expectation that they can bug me (particularly during my own business hours). Also, some overseas clients are quite happy to bug me well outside them.
One thing I’d recommend early on, which I never really managed to do, is that if you like using IM systems with your friends, then create a seperate account on each network that you use for business use. Obviously this requires a nice multi-protocol client program, like Adium (mac), Kopete (linux) or Trillian (windows). That might help a little with clients bugging you at 11pm when you’re chatting with a mate from the comfort of the couch.
I’ll give this some more thought, because there are obviously lots of issues surrounding this area. It all comes down to, how can we be communicative, but also manage our clients expectations so that we get that alone time that we need?
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