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I definitely understand the price issue. It might not be a lucrative or attractive business for existing freelancers. BUT... people already do this stuff for f

by pkamb 9y ago

I definitely understand the price issue. It might not be a lucrative or attractive business for existing freelancers. BUT... people already do this stuff for free. Create free Chrome Extensions to make some tweak on a website. Spend hours crafting a script for an answer on Stack Overflow, only to get fake internet points. I asked the questions above on SuperUser, a website that theoretically does exactly what I'm asking. Someone will probably eventually post a solution, someday. It just takes too long. The site doesn't get enough traffic because no one is getting paid to do the work.

HeyLaughingBoy 9y ago
...and that's exactly what prompted me to do it. I would hang out on hardware sites, offering free help, fixing people's firmware, doing simple hardware design and writing short programs for the fun of it. Then I realized I could do the same thing and get paid. It's just a matter of shifting the context. You've no doubt seen any number of sites where people post sample code to help someone, but disappear if it doesn't work, or there's a minor detail left off, etc. The only change I made is that by paying me, I guarantee you it will work and I'll be around for future changes, extension, etc. A surprising number of people are willing to pay for the assurance over just getting free help.
s73ver 9y ago
The thing is, the motivation is different when it's fake internet points than when it's actual money. The relationship between the people is different, too. The way it works now, the relationship is a cordial, friendly, familiar relationship (even though the people don't actually know each other in many cases). Throw money into the deal, even the paltry $10, and now it becomes a business relationship, with all that entails.
- pkamb 9y ago
  Maybe. I think if a site like GitHub or Stack Overflow added bounties they'd do it in a way that kept the spectrum more on the relationship side, rather than the employee/employer. And the bounty is an extra perk.
  - manquer 9y ago
    Stackoverflow does have a bounty system . you can only pay with your fake points though , allowing ppl to pay with real cash is ripe for abuse.Their points economy is very carefully built, just like any successful in game economy, hyperinflation is major problem is a problem all of them have to worry about.

by pkamb 9y ago

HeyLaughingBoy 9y ago

...and that's exactly what prompted me to do it. I would hang out on hardware sites, offering free help, fixing people's firmware, doing simple hardware design and writing short programs for the fun of it. Then I realized I could do the same thing and get paid. It's just a matter of shifting the context. You've no doubt seen any number of sites where people post sample code to help someone, but disappear if it doesn't work, or there's a minor detail left off, etc. The only change I made is that by paying me, I guarantee you it will work and I'll be around for future changes, extension, etc. A surprising number of people are willing to pay for the assurance over just getting free help.

s73ver 9y ago

The thing is, the motivation is different when it's fake internet points than when it's actual money. The relationship between the people is different, too. The way it works now, the relationship is a cordial, friendly, familiar relationship (even though the people don't actually know each other in many cases). Throw money into the deal, even the paltry $10, and now it becomes a business relationship, with all that entails.

pkamb 9y ago
Maybe. I think if a site like GitHub or Stack Overflow added bounties they'd do it in a way that kept the spectrum more on the relationship side, rather than the employee/employer. And the bounty is an extra perk.
- manquer 9y ago
  Stackoverflow does have a bounty system . you can only pay with your fake points though , allowing ppl to pay with real cash is ripe for abuse.Their points economy is very carefully built, just like any successful in game economy, hyperinflation is major problem is a problem all of them have to worry about.