4 ms·

Most of my 30+yrs in on-site biz support are SE. I do most everything that small-med biz need done. Mostly Microsoft but some *nix/BSD. I build firewalls, depl

Most of my 30+yrs in on-site biz support are SE. I do most everything that small-med biz need done. Mostly Microsoft but some *nix/BSD. I build firewalls, deploy workstations, troubleshoot crapware like Quickbooks, setup/maintain domains, admin MS exchange/azure, build/run mail servers, virtualize things, fix hardware inc med & pharma equip (with son #3). Lots of other things except web - which is done by my long-time friend/biz partner. I've been employed on and off (mostly by clients) and prefer that but circumstances always intervened. Pros: Flexible sched is plus to deal with family demands and endless crisis. Cons: Uninsured.

WarOnPrivacy 3y ago
Backstory to the above, if you want it: In 1990 near DC, I did lawn care & hauling. I ingratiated myself with a guy who did GSA auctions and had a PC shop. I did auctions and learned to fix hardware for 2 years. His shop closed and DC is super expensive. I moved my kid and pregnant wife to FL (inexpensive back then) in 92. Worked as an mechanic at a car lot and at a small local IT shop. In 93 I got a programming scholarship to college. In my last year the org funding me was shuttered as part of the Contract with America. I graduated but without connections, getting hired here was difficult. Two years of resumes yielded one distant job offer. During that time I did residential IT, which is about as fun as it sounds. I also handed out cards to every local biz and chatted up anyone who'd stand for it. Three years of that led to my first real client, an org for developmentally disabled adults (ARC) down south. I supported ARCs for years until I picked up a nearby automotive group. I got sent back to zero a lot. The 08 meltdown hit car dealerships. I pivoted to local medical but market changes from the ACA ended that. Next was wife's MI (5 kids by then) and that chaos left me with 2 small clients until she left in 19. During the entire 30 years, I had a friend and on/off biz partner. I gave him my ARC and pharma clients in 04 to focus on auto. In 19 he moved out of state and returned the pharma along with a web retailer. I picked up another med practice and am really busy sometimes. Combined with income from 3 sons, we're making just enough to cover FLs (now) expensive bills.

WarOnPrivacy 3y ago

Backstory to the above, if you want it: In 1990 near DC, I did lawn care & hauling. I ingratiated myself with a guy who did GSA auctions and had a PC shop. I did auctions and learned to fix hardware for 2 years. His shop closed and DC is super expensive. I moved my kid and pregnant wife to FL (inexpensive back then) in 92. Worked as an mechanic at a car lot and at a small local IT shop. In 93 I got a programming scholarship to college. In my last year the org funding me was shuttered as part of the Contract with America. I graduated but without connections, getting hired here was difficult. Two years of resumes yielded one distant job offer. During that time I did residential IT, which is about as fun as it sounds. I also handed out cards to every local biz and chatted up anyone who'd stand for it. Three years of that led to my first real client, an org for developmentally disabled adults (ARC) down south. I supported ARCs for years until I picked up a nearby automotive group. I got sent back to zero a lot. The 08 meltdown hit car dealerships. I pivoted to local medical but market changes from the ACA ended that. Next was wife's MI (5 kids by then) and that chaos left me with 2 small clients until she left in 19. During the entire 30 years, I had a friend and on/off biz partner. I gave him my ARC and pharma clients in 04 to focus on auto. In 19 he moved out of state and returned the pharma along with a web retailer. I picked up another med practice and am really busy sometimes. Combined with income from 3 sons, we're making just enough to cover FLs (now) expensive bills.