[plug] Fwd: Consulting (gateway box) -also- training

[Simon Scott]

	Just remember one thing I have learned time and time again (its a
life lesson, and that is why it is on list)

	Setting up a linux gateway is easy. Setting up a firewall is easy.
Setting up SAMBA is easy.

	Supporting it at 3 in the morning is not.

	Unless your customers are suicidal, they will want *some* form of
support. Do not underestimate the value of this. 

	If you underestimate just how much work there is in supporting this
stuff, it will kill you.

	Im probably (hopefully) preaching to the choir, but Ive seen many
ventures go under because suddenly they are working for free supporting
stuff.

	And since Linux is nearly free (gratis), people quite often think it
is a *cheap* alternative. Factor in support, and the TCO gap between linux
and NT isnt quite the gaping canyon we once thought (and I read that
directly from a Microsoft FUD page, so it must be true :). 

	Anyway, enough blathering, just be careful dude. Dont undercharge
for support contracts. Dont go out to solve problems as a favour. Nuff said.








	From:	Leon Brooks <leonb at brooks.fdns.net> on 11/07/2001 03:59 PM
	Please respond to plug at plug.linux.org.au@SMTP at Exchange
	To:	plug at plug.linux.org.au@SMTP at Exchange
	cc:	carlduc at rave.iinet.net.au@SMTP at Exchange 

	Subject:	Re: [plug] Fwd: Consulting (gateway box) -also-
training

	Hi Carl (and PLUG list),

	skribe wrote:

	> ----------  Forwarded Message  ----------
	> From: Carl Duckworth <carlduc at rave.iinet.net.au>


	> I have a client who is seeking some linux consulting. They are
particulary
	> interested in have a gateway machine built for them.

	> We are unable to devote the time to this and I was wondering if
you could
	> direct me to someone who could do this.


	I've had far too much practice at this. (-:

	I'm considering doing it wholesale (on _reliable_ hardware) and 
	integrating stuff a bit. I have some people interested already; if 
	anyone else on the list is interested in connecting with a slightly 
	specialised service like this, please contact me OFF-LIST. You will
want 
	to have one or more of Linux networking skills, LAN skills with
Windows 
	(to set up client boxes on the gatewayed LANs, basically), or some 
	component or service which you think can be profitably integrated
with 
	such a process. Chris and Jeremy are considered interested by
default. (-:

	Also, I've had several requests for Linux training from various 
	directions. For various reasons, the first one or few of these may
be 
	connected to the above activities. If you're reasonably technically 
	competent in other fields and interested in Linuxifying your skills,

	please also contact me OFF-LIST.

	Carl, you would be an obvious customer contact point. It might be 
	interesting for the list to hear something about iiNet's specialist 
	needs, as it were, for individuals and companies planning to deal
with 
	iiNet. I believe that iiNet have specialised proxies (hymn, for
example) 
	and other facilities that the hoi polloi, for various reasons, never
notice?

	Responses may be a bit lagged as I'm recovering from a severe
flu-ish 
	thing ATM.

	Cheers




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