joyful.com/services

Consulting services

I worked as a software engineer in the networking industry before starting Joyful Systems, my software consulting business, in 1996. I have focussed mainly on the free/open-source software ecosystem and serving small and medium-sized businesses, including Clearview/Champion Windows, KCRW, Engage Group, OpenApp, Simon Fraser University, Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, Webgami Systems, Weight Watchers Franchise Association, Vertel, Sonoma Systems and others. I have led several successful long-term free software projects and worked on significant projects in Zope, Plone, Python, Haskell, PHP, Rails, Squeak, and C. Here’s a resume.

I am an experienced programmer, sysadmin and coach who can solve and explain a wide range of problems efficiently and with high quality, maintainability and dependability. I know Free and open-source software - what’s available, what’s good, what’s got a bright future. For you this means lower costs, higher quality, and no lock-in to proprietary solutions or dead-end projects. If you want to learn more, work with me - I have an exciting world to show you!

My services include:

• custom software design and development
• support, training and mentoring for both beginners and techies
• hledger and Zwiki support and enhancement
• web sites and web apps, all sizes
• hosting and maintenance
• systems administration
• documentation
• community building
• bookkeeping and business automation
• analysis and problem-solving

I have diverse interests and am always looking for new challenges, technical or otherwise, so feel free to ask about things not on this list.

How I work

I work with local clients in southern california and remote clients around the world. I can provide an agile, iterative process with plenty of communication, so:

• you can see results right away
• you always have something that works (if we are building a program or website)
• you get accurate insight into what things cost
• you can adjust goals and priorities at any time
• you can learn how to do what I’m doing, if you wish

Or, if you just need something done and don’t want to bother with the details, I’ll use my experience to deliver your desired end result in the smartest and most economic way.

For remote work I usually require a retainer to be paid in advance; you decide the amount. I provide detailed activity statements as often as you wish and you can have your unused balance refunded at any time. This gives you direct visibility and control over the budget and my work rate, and maximizes productive work time.

Rates

My standard rate is $100/hr. I can also offer special rates as low as $40/hr for certain kinds of work, as well as fixed bid and monthly rates. Tell me what you need and I’ll give you a fair quote or recommend other resources: