Coders Response to Service Requests

[amykhar]

TruthElixirX, people actually hire you even though you don't have coder status and have only one template mod released? Wow.

[furst]

Seems like trust is an issue with almost everyone here. There are services that can illiminate this problem by mediating requests from start to finish.. just an idea.

[PeterA]

I put up a service request recently and I got a coder. I thought the explanation was quite detailed and the pay offered generous. I paid a 37.5% deposit in advance (he asked for 25%, i said i normally give 50% so went in middle).

However I was suprised to how few people responded, so can some coders tell me why they didn't respond, was it to complex, to busy, not enough money, bad description etc. I ask so I can improve my requests in future should I need more.

Should I have said I was willing to pay deposit upfront to coders, advanced coders and master coders etc?

The thread was:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=111118

[Paul M]

Problems with that request (from my POV).

1. It's quite complicated, yet you state it must be done inside 1 week - Like most people here vb is not my job. There is no way in hell I would commit to such a short timescale.

2. You state it must be done via plugins - any vb 'expert' will tell you that not everything can be done by plugins, Again there is no way I would commit to 100% certainty that it could be done using only plugins.

The price is reasonable - I don't think that was a problem tbh.

[PeterA]

chears PaulM,

your feedback is most useful. Honesty like this will help me improve service requests in the future should i need any.

[TruthElixirX]

Originally Posted by amykhar

TruthElixirX, people actually hire you even though you don't have coder status and have only one template mod released? Wow.

Yes, I do mainly hack installation and maintainence(I never can spell that word. >.<). I have quite a few regular clients, enough to make a nice amount of spending mnoey at the ripe old age of 16 :P.

[pcoskat]

Originally Posted by amykhar

TruthElixirX, people actually hire you even though you don't have coder status and have only one template mod released? Wow.

I've been coming here for awhile, and never noticed the 'coder' status until recently (ie The last week, or two.)

I ALWAYS have more work (and available cash) than coders available to take care of the work.

[TrueDeath]

Originally Posted by pcoskat

I've been coming here for awhile, and never noticed the 'coder' status until recently (ie The last week, or two.)

I ALWAYS have more work (and available cash) than coders available to take care of the work.

Need anything done *whistles*

Back on topic, i usually do tasks which are well explained and i have confidence in able to get it done.

/Matt

[Antivirus]

I had someone in this thread do some custom work for me, and was really happy with the end result. I would say that I reached out to 5 or 6 people whom had released several (or more) hacks on this site and had a few responses. I knew that my requirements document needed to be well written and if it wasn't, I wouldn't get what I wanted, and the coder would get fustrated with having to re-code things that weren't well explained, and also with not being able to understand what exactly I needed.

So from a standpoint of hiring someone to do some custom work, you need to definitely document and explain exactly what you need, need to have a good understanding of vb in order to get it across properly, and be willing to be available for conversations (whether on phone or in an IM app) to explain questions that the coder may have. When creating your requirements document, in addition to describing what you want, it may also help if you can make graphical mock-ups or examples to better get the point across of what you want. Remember, a coder can only code what he understands it is that you want, and if you don't properly explain it, he may give you the wrong thing and both of you will end up unhappy. Communication is extremely important.

[pcoskat]

Originally Posted by Antivirus

Remember, a coder can only code what he understands it is that you want, and if you don't properly explain it, he may give you the wrong thing and both of you will end up unhappy. Communication is extremely important.

Thanks for the tip.

So far, the problem hasn't been communication. The people I've approached either don't know how to duplicate the mod I want, or they've been too busy.

Got a remedy for that?