9 votes
Accepted

New project manager suddenly demanding source-code prior to payment

IANAL, nor any form of professional regarding law, let alone Australian law. However, from what I've found from a quick google of Australian copyright law, it seems to conform with most copyright ...
  • 545
8 votes

How to find someone to handle customer/commercial relationships on my behalf? (I'm a programmer)

So much to address here... First off, NO. You don't need a PR person on full-time to help you. You need to deal with your own situation before you bring more people in. Freelancing should make you ...
  • 6,863
7 votes

Could I theoretically make money by creating software Linux distro needs?

First off, remember that Linux is marketed as very robust, open source, and free (with a few exceptions). Can you keep that philosophy? The reason distributions become popular are for different ...
  • 6,863
7 votes
Accepted

Declined project

You perhaps jumped the gun a bit. The way you describe it, I see no red flags - but a couple of orange ones. With a non-technical client, the potential for the exact type of disagreement you describe ...
  • 3,822
5 votes

Competing offer from outside consultant

If it were me, I'd ignore the outside contractor entirely unless specifically asked. I would not intentionally note anything the outside contractor is suggesting and I wouldn't "build in" counter ...
  • 17.4k
5 votes

New project manager suddenly demanding source-code prior to payment

The single worst mistake I ever made as a contractor was agreeing to provide source code before payment was made. Don't do it. This doesn't pass the "smell test" at all.
5 votes
Accepted

Freelance programmer's monthly fees, expectations too high?

Ah, the good old fashioned "stuff works and never breaks" assumption from a non-it manager. First up, DBA requirements. Advise them that if they do not wish to procure DBA support from you, they will ...
  • 1,030
5 votes
Accepted

Client not Responding from more than last 36 Hours

Unless the client made assurances to be immediately contactable during this period, they have no urgent need to respond. There are anumber of things that might be diverting their attention. I would ...
  • 1,030
5 votes

Why are freelance rates for mobile developers on freelancer.com so low?

Two things: lack of client knowledge and developers in low income countries. Non-technical people simply have no idea how much effort is required to develop an app. They have no concept of ...
5 votes

How feasible is it to work fixed price and parttime for a client as a freelance software developer?

Assuming it's only a small slump, I would look for more clients. You need food on your table, and that's your first priority. It's good you want to work with your client, as opposed to only for ...
  • 6,863
5 votes

Who Owns the Source Code & IP - Developer or Employer?

In any creative venture, be it artwork, fiction writing, markup writing, coding, music, film.... the "work" is copyrighted and owned by the creator the moment it is created. There are only 9 ...
  • 17.4k
5 votes

How to reject a project that does not fit with my skills or goes beyond my skills in order to keep your client for future projects?

The best way to keep that client is to find a subcontractor who can do the job. In that way, you move from being "a programmer" to "someone who solves computer problems." When you ...
  • 1,457
5 votes
Accepted

How can I write a good proposal on Upwork.com?

On a platform such as UpWork, a client who posts a project will get anywhere from 50 to 100 proposals and invite 5 people to interview. Turning the numbers around yields that it takes 20 proposals to ...
  • 1,457
4 votes

Developing an app for someone but retaining ownership of source?

The application and source code is yours (assuming you wrote it) unless your contract specifically states this is "a work for hire". If you have no contract, the application and source code is yours. ...
  • 246
4 votes
Accepted

Continue college or learn online while freelancing?

Why don't you simply go from math to coding or engineering/robotic in school? Frankly, these domains are very related. You learn very important things in school that you won't learn on your own: the ...
  • 858
4 votes

How to become proficient enough to be able to take freelance projects?

Firstly, go thru a good book on ASP.NET and pass it along with all tests in it. Then either: Think of your own ASP.NET project and make it Look at the sites like odesk.com for projects that client's ...
  • 14.4k
4 votes

Should I disclose that I am freelancing to my employer?

If the rules are that you disclose, then I think you should. It sounds like you value your job and don't want to lose it over freelancing. However, I would give as few details as they will accept. ...
  • 1,356
4 votes

New project manager suddenly demanding source-code prior to payment

Simple down to earth advice: unless you have a contract or document that explicitly includes the requirement to supply the source code before payment, I think you are right not to change the existing ...
  • 1,629
4 votes

Getting started as a freelance programmer

Getting started as a freelancer is quite easy; failing as a freelancer is even easier. The best successes I've seen follow three patterns: 1) Establish your portfolio 2) Start with a whale client 3) ...
4 votes

How to build a portfolio as a freelancer new to the market

You can create three of your own projects in the language that you prefer and use LinkedIn and Instagram to sell development services. The idea is you can show your abilities to make things like a web ...
4 votes

How an EXPERIENCED programmer can switch to freelancing?

Welcome to the wonderful world of Freelancing! First, you need to get a portfolio of your successful projects and problem-solving skills available. This is why most tutorials start with Wordpress - ...
  • 6,863
4 votes

Starting a startup?

Let me start with the easy answer: "Hard work and commitment almost guarantees success?" No. All that does is to give you either bigger muscles or callouses on your hands. I recommend ...
  • 1,457
3 votes
Accepted

Should I disclose that I am freelancing to my employer?

Are you living in a country with good legal protection of the worker? If yes, then I strongly say DO disclose. I am worried that if I disclose this to my employer, they will think I'm going to ...
  • 14.4k
3 votes
Accepted

Creating a startup

How do I go about getting a group of members together for no pay, but a share of the profit if we receive any. Realistically, you either bring along a bunch of close friends who are experts in ...
  • 1,660
3 votes

Competing with experienced people on freelancing websites

I'd suggest looking for other potential leads for work. Two of which have worked very well for me in the past. 1/ Networking events. Get yourself on meetup.com or similar and join local entrepreneurs/...
3 votes

New project manager suddenly demanding source-code prior to payment

I'm not familiar with Australia's laws, nor am I a lawyer. But here's what I'd do. Stick to your guns - do not send source code! First, take into account any payment terms that apply to the invoice....
  • 5,313
3 votes

New project manager suddenly demanding source-code prior to payment

I would simply write an email to Person B explaining how you and Person A did business before, detail how the work flow process worked before and how it can be beneficial now. Ask the right questions,...
3 votes

How to get Supervisor or Senior Developer to check and review your work ?

It is almost understood that Freelancer's mostly don't have polished work who never got chance to do job under someone's supervision. Sorry. It's not "understood". In fact, I find it quite rude if ...
  • 17.4k
3 votes

Selling Java library - which pricing model to choose?

A project on which I'm involved uses a 3rd-party library among its Maven dependencies. What the 3rd party did was to set up a Maven repository on the public Internet, protected by a username and ...
  • 161
3 votes

Selling Java library - which pricing model to choose?

My answer is purely anecdotal, but I am a software dev who worked for a distributer that sold civil engineering software. (It was an application rather than an API/library.) The model was a bit of a ...
  • 91

Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible