1. Never use the phrase “it’s not rocket science”\u00a0 in reference to computers or computer science.\u00a0\u00a0 You will be correct.\u00a0\u00a0 Computer Science requires a much higher level of dedication and personal time invested in learning than rocket science does.\u00a0 The principles of physics that govern rocket science have changed very little in 100 years.\u00a0 Gravity is still a constant on Earth.\u00a0 Computer science has evolved in a much more explosive manner.\u00a0 When I attended formal computer training in 1989, there were a handful of applications available for PCs.\u00a0\u00a0 Procomm for word processing, database, and spreadsheets.\u00a0 Harvard graphics for graphics.\u00a0 Windows and DOS for operating systems.\u00a0 Now there are an undocumented number of programs available.\u00a0 For operating systems alone, we have Linux in a great number of distributions.\u00a0 There are three different versions of Windows: XP, Vista, and Windows 7 not counting the 64bit variations.\u00a0 There are exotic choices such as Mac OS for a PC.\u00a0 Networking did not exist.\u00a0 The Internet was available for military and institutions of higher learning.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Do Not call your consultant for “advice”.\u00a0\u00a0 Would you appreciate someone calling you during your off time and asking you to provide detailed information about your work for free?<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 Do NOT send your consultant an email asking for the “advice”.\u00a0\u00a0 Same as rule 2.<\/p>\n
4. Do NOT ask for “advice” from your relatives who are consultants.<\/p>\n
5. If you violate tips 2, 3, or 4 don’t be surprised when the consultant invoices you for the time, at holiday rates where applicable.\u00a0 Even worse the next time you need services, that their schedule is booked for the next 6 months or longer.<\/p>\n
6. Do NOT negotiate the price after the services are provided.\u00a0 As with any other form of negotiation, keep this up front at the beginning.\u00a0 It avoids misunderstandings.<\/p>\n
7. DO negotiate before the work begins.\u00a0 Consultants are often open to negotiation on the price.<\/p>\n
A freebie:\u00a0 Do NOT call on a consultant to provide assistance with your technical issues for free, EVER.\u00a0 If you are a regular client this MIGHT be acceptable from time to time.\u00a0 If you bought a system from them,\u00a0 it is probably acceptable to ask their advice about something related to the system you purchased from them.\u00a0\u00a0 Asking them to help you professionally out of the goodness of their heart when you bought that inexpensive HP or Dell computer at Costco or Sam’s Club, will cost you more than money.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ask the consultant when their next appointment is available and pay them without grumbling, with a smile.<\/p>\n
You will end up with computers that actually perform.\u00a0 Your consultant will be happier to see you.\u00a0 You may even save some money.\u00a0 There may be a consultant available to answer your call the next time you have an issue.\u00a0 A reputable computer consultant is hard to find.\u00a0 Even harder when you attempt to pay them less than your mechanic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
1. Never use the phrase “it’s not rocket science”\u00a0 in reference to computers or computer science.\u00a0\u00a0 You will be correct.\u00a0\u00a0 Computer Science requires a much higher level of dedication and personal time invested in learning than rocket science does.\u00a0 The principles of physics that govern rocket science have changed very little in 100 years.\u00a0 Gravity… Continue reading Improve your relationship with your consultant<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evanscomputers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1310","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evanscomputers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evanscomputers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evanscomputers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evanscomputers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1310"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.evanscomputers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1310\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evanscomputers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evanscomputers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1310"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evanscomputers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}