The Lady Programmer

I’ve been offline for quite a while after a series of posts that I’ve been putting up. I was just out from an installation of Windows XP 64-bit version. Since my system can accommodate 64-bit systems like that of Windows XP and Vista, I decided to try out this version of XP. It turned out that I had to do several things, like downloading 64-bit drivers to finding applications that are designed for the 64-bit power.

What Great About Windows XP 64-bit

When I was forced to buy new hardware to replace my defective motherboard, I discovered that the hardware that are now commonly sold at the computer market are ready to run 64-bit operating systems. I got hardware that can run Windows Vista fast without turning on the Aero feature. I would still have to add more memory and get a good PCI-E card to really see Windows Vista in its full dynamic glory.

I did not have any problem finding all the new set of drivers that I needed. With the proliferation of 64-bit systems in the computer market, I think the driver manufacturers seem ready to run these kinds of computers in the market.

What’s Frustrating About Windows XP 64-bit

Most of the applications are still designed for the 32-bit processor. A handful of software had been “translated” to take advantage of the 64-bit power. I found only one or two software that cannot really run. I had to force one of my favorite applications to run on this 64-bit platform. I got three hang-ups after the installation. I got a faster system, but most of it are running 32-bit applications.

64-bit Operating Systems on the Way

photo credit: redfloor (SXC)

I think it would not be too long before the transition from 32-bit to 64-bit system will be complete. I would still recommend the 32-bit system to be used by most. But for those who seek a little adventure then the 64-bit operating system is the way to go and get a head on start from the rest.

If you are taking jobs off from freelance sites such as oDesk, be ready for some things that needed to be done. The first thing is to make sure to have a complete profile. The second thing is to get preferred withdrawal methods ready.

The latter is necessary even when one is not hired for the job yet. It could take a month to configure the payment methods that I had discussed. While doing the profile and applying to jobs, take time to do the payment methods.

Image credit to Tom Ray

For oDesk providers, this post on choosing the best oDesk withdrawal method should serve as a guide to choosing the right payment method.

Which payment method worked out in your freelance site?

photo credit: ba1969 (SXC)

One of the hottest debates in most online job marketplaces is when minimum wages are being discussed. I’ve often seen this discussion in forums of online job sites. Online freelancers often have mixed feelings on this issue. One group of people accepts the reality that freelance jobs should NOT have minimum wages. Another group of freelancers asserts that there should be a minimum wage that online job board sites should implement. There is even a minority who got some ideas on that seem to combine the best of both minimum and non-minimum wage implementation.

Right Now

Most online freelance sites do not dictate any minimum wage restriction. Freelancers at matured economies like the US often find out that there are some job openings that are awarded to those in the emerging economies like the Philippines. The freelancers at emerging economies charge a lot less than to those living in matured economies. The difference in the standards of living is a huge factor why emerging economies charge lower than that of the matured economies. Some freelancers from matured economies express their concern that their charge is no higher than getting employed. Thus, the minimum wage issue is always proposed.

Others point out that many clients open low paying jobs to online job sites. I’ve often seen data entry jobs that come with even less than a dollar per hour. Providers at matured economies may attempt to submit their intention but bid to higher rates. In the end they lose the job to some freelancer living in India. Since there are freelancers who accept such jobs, clients are excited about getting huge savings in outsourcing jobs to countries like the Philippines.

I Say

I do not like to have the minimum wage rule implemented in online job sites. I believe that the solution to raise the price of a particular outsourced job is NOT to apply low paying jobs. As long as there are freelancers who accept job at lower rates then clients would believe that this particular job costs at a given rate. Besides, complainers who start this kind of discussion in the forums are often those who signed up for just a day to a week, without exerting any effort to apply to jobs. Successful freelancers living in matured economies do not compete at the rates that emerging economies charge. These complainers often like to stir some issue in the forums, in the hope of getting noticed. I think they just like to get the all the attention which the heated discussion fuels them up. There’s no point convincing them that they do not have to charge the same rates.

Do you think minimum wage is a must in freelance job board sites?

I finally found Blaze Media Pro, a DVD or CD burning software, a better alternative to the famous resource-hogging software available around. I got this in my computer over a few days. I was amazed that this small CD and DVD burning software can do all the conversion, ripping, editing, recording and playback of CDs and DVDs in one single interface.

Blaze Media Pro is easy to navigate. All the required functions to convert DVD to AVI, MPG, WMV and other file types are contained in its menu. You can rely on it to do audio and video editing like putting some sound effects and manipulating video frames. Blaze Media Pro is lean meat version of its competitors with all the layers of fat trimmed out.

After I resigned from my work as a maintenance engineer, I started to take stock of my IT skills to sell my services as a freelancer. I was not happy being employed in my previous job because I was doing a lot of work but getting paid a bit low. I tried applying to other jobs, but then I discovered that I can also get to be my own boss by being a self-employed freelance programmer with the skills that I had gained.

photo credit: nkzs (SXC)

There are so many opportunities for freelance programming and web design from online jobs. I would highly recommend finding opportunities this way. If I would take my skill offline the chances of getting jobs are a lot less than those offered online. Online job marketplaces are still the best way for me to get fixed income. Many job opportunities come from smaller companies who often need people to outsource their work.

Hottest Freelance Programming and Web Design Jobs

With the growing popularity of blogging, consider learning PHP, AJAX, Joomla, HTML, CSS and XML to design pages and customize widgets that appears on blog sites. The same technologies are also used to create web pages. There is also an increasing demand in SEO skills – many clients often post out web designer jobs with SEO considerations. Putting up E-commerce websites are very common too. Knowledge on Ruby on Rails is getting to be in demand too.

Learning mobile phone software applications is also a good move as more people are getting internet access in their mobile phones. Java knowledge is often the skill that is often used for developing applications for these handy devices.

Database development has always been a staple in many MIS departments and there are even many outsourced jobs on this skill. Microsoft technologies like ASP, Access, VB.NET are often used to develop these databases because developing applications with these platforms are quick.

Macro development and VBA continue to be a staple to automate some tasks in Microsoft Word and Excel. There is also a lot of demand for these kinds of skills too.


Freelance Programming Frequently Adapts to IT Trends

Learning this technology should always be fueled by great interest in understanding programming. The programming language that may be hot today may be outdated in the next years. One should not only seek the gratification of earning a lot of money from freelance ventures. Clients seek and hire talented and experienced professionals who can do work within an agreed timeframe.

Opportunities for freelance jobs are favorable to those in IT. What do you think?