15 votes

My client wants me to use pirated software. What should I do?

Client wants me to steal secret plans from the CEO of his competing company. He sent an email today detailing where I can find the plans, how to break into his offices, and a schedule for when the ...
Scott's user avatar
  • 17.4k
9 votes
Accepted

Should I become a freelance web developer or a freelance software developer?

I think you should shoot high. The sky is the limit for you. You already have a lot of skills for your age. I think it is totally possible to make some money with freelance web development to pay ...
Jessica Termini's user avatar
8 votes

Should I charge the client when I get stuck on stupid mistakes

I couldn't help but leave my own insights on this matter as two existing answers are all implying a client shouldn't be charged for his employee's mistakes. If this question is about the right of ...
Nick Song's user avatar
  • 181
6 votes

Complicated situation with client and a never ending project

Why do you allow being treated like this? "Calling me every 2h and messaging every 15min + threatening" - WFT bro???? I would never, NEVER, N E V E R allow being treated like this. Now, aside of ...
Peter MV's user avatar
  • 14.3k
6 votes
Accepted

Should I charge the client when I get stuck on stupid mistakes

Delays which are due to your business/working practices are typically not the clients responsibility. Let's look at the situation with a similar scenario..... You're working along on a client's ...
Scott's user avatar
  • 17.4k
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 ...
JohnHC's user avatar
  • 1,030
5 votes
Accepted

How much do I charge to build a web app?

Pricing is notoriously difficult as it depends on several factors: Your own desired hourly rate What the client typically pays The perceived value to the client Whether the project is similar to ...
morsor's user avatar
  • 3,877
5 votes

How much do I charge to build a web app?

This really tells us nothing about what the application will actually do or its complexity. AND we're not here to do that for you anyway. You can go about this two ways: 1) Pick an hourly rate that ...
Xavier J's user avatar
  • 5,333
5 votes

My client wants me to use pirated software. What should I do?

If you really need the job I'd look for comparable software that would be legal to use. Personally, I'd drop the project like a hot potatoe.
user6035379's user avatar
5 votes
Accepted

What should I do if a project fails?

Since you are using Upwork I suggest you try to resolve this with the client. This way both will be happy. You made a big mistake. You continued to work although you knew that something is not ...
Peter MV's user avatar
  • 14.3k
4 votes
Accepted

If using Gumroad, is there still a need to become self employed in the EU?

Yes to the question title, no to the question in the text. Gumroad simply deals with the EU VAT paperwork for you, nothing else. Registering as self-employed, filing taxes with HMRC etc. is all a ...
Cai's user avatar
  • 284
4 votes
Accepted

Should I keep my IC wages the same even though I have a salaried job?

No. If you're charging less than "market", then clients may get the impression that you're taking on work for cheap because you're not very good at it. The other side of the situation is that your 9-...
Xavier J's user avatar
  • 5,333
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 ...
David R's user avatar
  • 1,667
4 votes
Accepted

Does anyone know of any free time tracking and invoicing software geared toward freelance software developers?

I've been using an MS Access app i put together to track hours, clients, create invoices from hours entered, payments, etc. Since last year i have it connected to MYSQL backend in cloud.
donnyc's user avatar
  • 84
3 votes

What is implicit common practice in licensing software (client Javasript) for evaluation?

OK. Your client doesn't want to sign a licensing agreement. Here's how to look at this: If the work has not already been performed, and you do the work, it's technically a work-for-hire, and the ...
Xavier J's user avatar
  • 5,333
3 votes
Accepted

How to write technical offer?

Not sure what you mean by a technical offer. Perhaps this will help. You write down what you are going to do, how long it will take, what the customer will get delivered at the end of it. This is ...
PaulD's user avatar
  • 1,750
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 ...
user45623's user avatar
  • 1,670
3 votes

Desktop software for time tracking

This might not solve directly your billing time needs, but it's really helpful to track your productivity and see where you spent your working time: RescueTime. You install a small application that ...
igorsantos07's user avatar
3 votes

Should I keep my IC wages the same even though I have a salaried job?

There are some ethical implications where your industry is concerned, in addition to personal implications. If you wish your industry to thrive and be a viable source of income, you really shouldn't ...
Scott's user avatar
  • 17.4k
3 votes
Accepted

Ensuring software modules I build aren't used for illegal purposes?

...how can you ensure that they do not use it for any illegal purposes? Especially when their work is used in multiple countries? You cannot. But if someone asks me to write a module that secretly ...
PaulD's user avatar
  • 1,750
3 votes
Accepted

Should I charge my clients for software fees?

The cost of doing business should be calculated as your overhead when figuring out your rates. The tools you need to complete your work should never be directly invoiced to clients. If you hire ...
Scott's user avatar
  • 17.4k
3 votes
Accepted

Is it compulsory to mention my postal address in an invoice I create?

In order to create a legal business entity in the United States a location (address) must be on file and is public record. With the above in mind, what additional harm could come from putting that ...
Scott's user avatar
  • 17.4k
3 votes

How to become a freelance programmer without knowing much about Web Design?

To be honest, in my experience Web Development is already a highly saturated market (lots of people doing it plus lots of 'build your own website solutions available to the general public). It's ...
RedBullNinja's user avatar
3 votes

Does anyone know of any free time tracking and invoicing software geared toward freelance software developers?

Clockify, Timecamp, and MS Access are all tools that support time tracking for developers. However, since many developers use Slack nowadays for communication, the Slack API and “slack-based work ...
Mohamed Rajab's user avatar
3 votes

I am about to start bidding for SQL Server/database projects on Upwork/Fiverr but not sure if my software is compliant

Not a licensing expert, but here's my take and what I usually do: The common practice is, if you're selling the software as a service, you are required to have an actual license (professional, ...
Magus's user avatar
  • 563
2 votes
Accepted

How can I reposition myself as Back-end Developer coming from Front-end Web dev?

As a full-stack developer myself with an emphasis in backend development and the owner of a small web development studio, I wouldn't hire you for back-end work. You're not a back-end developer, yet. ...
Ben T's user avatar
  • 136
2 votes
Accepted

How do you refer out projects that aren't in your area of competency?

Provide contact information for someone you know that does do the work necessary. Most the people I directly refer clients to know that if I haven't specifically mentioned this client to them, then ...
Scott's user avatar
  • 17.4k
2 votes

Should I build an Alpha before presenting my concept

Dangerous territory here... But I'll bite. If you can guarantee (likely with a lawyer's advice/help) that you developed it on your own time on your own equipment in your own home, you may have a case ...
Canadian Luke's user avatar
  • 6,873
2 votes

How I can be hidden from my current working company?

You have multiple options. Go incognito with fake name. Create your iOS identity as "John" and be known as John without telling anyone your real name. Some clients may not like this and the morality ...
Peter MV's user avatar
  • 14.3k
2 votes

My client wants me to use pirated software. What should I do?

Never use pirated materials! NEVER! This is how you make your living, if you want your reputation to be less than strellar this is the fastest way to get there.Is this a client you want to associate ...
user14866's user avatar

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