Author Topic: Choosing a new career within computers (Read 636 times)

lada · « **Reply #15 on:** June 22, 2004, 04:48:01 AM »

if he want to work from home, he could be evil hacker

Maniac · « **Reply #16 on:** June 22, 2004, 05:28:27 AM »

Quote

When i think about it he should maybe stay away from network stuff cause they need to climb and crawl around laying cables and stuff.

Not true.

I work in the networking area, and i call people to do the crawl around and lay cables part...

lada · « **Reply #17 on:** June 22, 2004, 06:09:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Maniac
Not true.

I work in the networking area, and i call people to do the crawl around and lay cables part...

you are lazy butt

when Maniac speak about networking he speak about this

eskimo2 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 22, 2004, 07:16:47 AM »

Nilsen,

You say that your friend is: smart, creative, interested in computers and used to be a plumber.

I think that he should make web sites/pages about plumbing. Web pages are easy to make. A smart creative person can make simple basic pages that are much more informative and useful than pages with lots of wizz-bang golly-gee graphics and effects.

Possibly a how-to site with pictures and descriptions; he can sell advertising space on his site to manufacturers.

He could build sites/pages directly for plumbing companies.

He could write and illustrate plumbing instruction manuals for products. Many manuals are poorly written and missing critical information.

The bottom line is that he should capitalize on his expertise and experience. There most certainly is a niche that needs to be filled related to plumbing and the Internet. Assuming that he is Norwegian I would think it would be even easier to find that niche.

eskimo

CyranoAH · « **Reply #19 on:** June 22, 2004, 07:31:32 AM »

I still think building computers is the way to go... good with his hands, creative, doesn't have to move much, and there's always someone who needs a new rig or having his cleaned or improved.

Daniel

Nilsen · « **Reply #20 on:** June 22, 2004, 07:38:52 AM »

Interesting eskimo and cyrano, but as i said....he is NOT creative

CyranoAH · « **Reply #21 on:** June 22, 2004, 07:50:27 AM »

Then he can just repair them!

lada · « **Reply #22 on:** June 22, 2004, 08:13:27 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nilsen
Interesting eskimo and cyrano, but as i said....he is NOT creative

hmmm ... he could be great at Microsoft

Nilsen · « **Reply #23 on:** June 22, 2004, 08:22:56 AM »

rofl professor....ill suggest microsoft to him

Repairing puters should not be any problem for him other than that people would have to drop them off at his house along with the parts. The poor sod can hardly walk or lift anything heavy.

If he had even a touch of creativity in him i would suggest webdesign or programming. Im leaning towards recomending him to do some e-mail based support from his house within networking (after he gets some training in it.) Finding a way for him to make use of his plumbing skills as you suggested could also work.

I wish he was pleasant to talk to on the phone, but he hates it and even his kids and former employers are scared of him when he use it

Strange.....he is very polite and nice in person.

SLO · « **Reply #24 on:** June 22, 2004, 08:15:19 PM »

yup web design is good stuff...and fun...but you did say he wasn't creative....so forget web design

MCSE is for System Admin's(servers).....changing cables is for Telecom guys.

yup right on pongo....

been looking for work as System Admin and its very hard....competition is way up there

got a call for a contract.... AS/400 Tech Support for a Client of IBM.....so I said why sure....hence my not using my MCSE:D

Eagler · « **Reply #25 on:** June 22, 2004, 08:38:08 PM »

not to slam ur friend but I don't know too many plumbers who would be comfortable enough around computers programming, admin, IT or web design/host to make a living out of it. If he doesn't need the cash and is just looking for something to fill his time and maybe make a buck or two, I'd go with Eskimos suggestion

teach himself basic html
contact his plumbing buddies and see if he can't host a bunch of very basic sites for them, selling them as 24/7 advertising.

Vulcan · « **Reply #26 on:** June 22, 2004, 09:19:44 PM »

Hmmm a plumber would probably translate to networking and security quite well, cos its all about traffic flow.

Rolex · « **Reply #27 on:** June 22, 2004, 11:55:40 PM »

Bad programming is very easy and the market is saturated with bad programmers. Good programmers have excellent math skills, creatively open minds and an appreciation for elegant simplicity.

It's difficult to see your friend making a transition to any form of programming.

If he is reasonably capable with installing/replacing/troubleshooting hardware and familiar with most general business software, small to medium size business are always in need of someone to help them with their individual PCs or systems.

They don't have the resources to have someone full-time and if he knows 1% more than they do, he can become their 'computer guy.' He can set up contracts to perform a variety of monthly maintenance and troubleshooting services, i.e. software upgrades, virus scanning, data backup, etc.

If he can learn about small networks, I'm sure he could find a collection of small/mid size businesses.

Perhaps he could study at home now while his back gets strong enough to let him get out a few times a month later?

airguard · « **Reply #28 on:** June 23, 2004, 02:39:36 AM »

Got injured in my old job aswell, and choosed GIS educations (3 years bachelor) with the possiblilty to master after 5 years.
Its Intresting and fun and now I only have 1 year left.
You basickly work with hightech equipment and computers.
And since im a hardware dweeb it suits me fine

link here Nilsen:

http://www2.hig.no/at/geomatikk/tilbud.html