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TEEB · 10-23-2002, 12:14 PM

I need some advice from the members.
I have been working with computers for about 20yrs. I have an A+ certification and have built approx 30 computers. I am self taught along with what I have learned here, and that's plenty.

I want to learn more and don't know which way to go.

I have built a server and hosted my own web site and FTP site.
I have learned the basics of web design and have considered and rejected learning an alternative O/S.

Keep in mind I am 56 years old and retired. So anything I learn will have to be used outside of a job.

I have a small computer business. I repair and build computers. I want to keep it small, I don't want it to become a job!!

I just want to expand my horizons within my limitations. If I don't use it I will lose it.

Hope I have made myself clear on this and will consider all suggestions.

tireman · 10-23-2002, 12:22 PM

Dive into Linux.

Hot Rod · 10-23-2002, 12:24 PM

You say you hosted your own web site. I'm assuming you do your own web site programming? I would look at expanding on web site design. It is a good mixture of technical knowledge and creativity. You could design sites for local businesses or organizations. There are a lot of things you can learn in Web site programming besides just HTML also. Plenty of things to expand your horizons.

CorruptedSanitY · 10-23-2002, 12:26 PM

why not learn media programs liek Adobe PhotoShop ?
You spend hours experimenting with different pictures and different themes.. you could even design web company logos or even local stores in ur home town logos..could make alittle money on the side..apart from it being a hobby..
Or you could even learn Swish ( a smaller version of Macromedia Flash )

Nuclear Krusader · 10-23-2002, 01:07 PM

C'mon TEEB, don't worry, if it becomes a job you can always call me in to help you. You can do the web desing while I assemble the computers.

Why not learning Linux? It seems it will be here for a long time.

TEEB · 10-23-2002, 01:33 PM

I thought of learning Linux, I even made a post asking about it.
I'm afraid it would come under the heading of "not using and losing".

Unlike a lot of others I don't have a problem with Windows.
I think it's pretty good, all things considered.

I"m leaning towards the technical side of it, but, don't Know what

**mbossman2** · 10-23-2002, 01:45 PM

i am with Corrupt. I would look into specializing within an area of computing that appeals to you both personally and professionally. Other than PC's what hobbies to you have? Can any of these be expanded into the digital plane of existance?

TEEB · 10-23-2002, 08:00 PM

Specializing.... Sounds like what I need. Now what area do I want to go? Something technical...

TEEB · 10-23-2002, 08:02 PM

Sorry! The administrator has specified that users can only post one message every 30 seconds.

How did I get this. I was only trying to post one message??

Mac Medic · 10-23-2002, 08:10 PM

I'm sure there are plenty of filmmakers in your neck of the woods, why not try your hand and at video and audio editing. I'm sure production companies in your area both professional and amateur are looking for video and sound editors. I know they are here. And while a lot of these jobs don't pay they are projects that are perfect to learn on.

ZANEY123 · 10-23-2002, 08:57 PM

sometimes when you click the submit button,, once it actaully does it twice,,,done that plenty of time to me,,,trigger finger,,,,

reboot · 10-24-2002, 09:41 AM

There are plenty of areas you can specialize in, just building systems.
Consider the neighborhood teenagers, they want a gaming box. The local car shop want's a point of sale system, and the retired guy down the street want's an internet machine to do geneaology, while the next person wants to do photo editing, and yet another wants to do desktop publishing...
They all require the same basic hardware, but with key differences.
Find the audience that has the combination of demand and money to spend, and you can turn an enjoyable hobby into a few extra $$$.
For awhile I specialized in computers for Seniors. No gaming machines here, but lots of internet (big monitors for poor eyes), and a few combined with scanners/digital cams for photo stuff.
I soon discovered that it's an easy way to make money, but you could spend far more time doing support than you like.
I decided to specialize in gaming boxes, where video framerates are the only thing that matters. Teenagers, spending dad's money here, far less support to do, and the money is easier.
I guess the trick is to find a niche that's not being filled to capacity by the competition, and do it better than everyone else.

piasabird · 10-24-2002, 11:05 AM

Here is an example of what Linux is capable of doing:

http://www.theregus.com/content/4/26741.html

This is for Xandru Linux; use to be Corel. They claim some of these Linux Distros are very Windows friendly. At the rate they are developing them, they could become easier to run than windows, and more dependable. Linux can be fun to experiment with. The configuration is a little different and the operating system is a lot more complex and supports user rights similar to a network operating system like Novel Netware.

One option you could also do is to become a Network Installer for people that want Cable modems and routers and want to network their computers. Networking can be fun.

LawyerRon · 10-24-2002, 11:19 AM

TEEB,
Follow this old quote:
"Do what you love and you'll never have to work for a living".

**mbossman2** · 10-24-2002, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reboot
For awhile I specialized in computers for Seniors. No gaming machines here, but lots of internet (big monitors for poor eyes), and a few combined with scanners/digital cams for photo stuff.

They say the people who sell best are ones that provide the complete solution. this is an example.

TEEB · 10-26-2002, 12:17 PM

I'd like to thank everyone that took the time to respond to this thread. It is very much appreciated. Lots of good ideas.
Special thanks to REBOOT and LawyerRon!!

10-23-2002, 12:14 PM	#1
TEEB Canadian Content Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Vancouver Island , BC, Canada Posts: 1,622	What next?? I need some advice from the members. I have been working with computers for about 20yrs. I have an A+ certification and have built approx 30 computers. I am self taught along with what I have learned here, and that's plenty. I want to learn more and don't know which way to go. I have built a server and hosted my own web site and FTP site. I have learned the basics of web design and have considered and rejected learning an alternative O/S. Keep in mind I am 56 years old and retired. So anything I learn will have to be used outside of a job. I have a small computer business. I repair and build computers. I want to keep it small, I don't want it to become a job!! I just want to expand my horizons within my limitations. If I don't use it I will lose it. Hope I have made myself clear on this and will consider all suggestions. __________________ The older I get, The better I was!

10-23-2002, 12:22 PM	#2
tireman No, I don't sell tires... Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Grapevine, TX Posts: 330	Dive into Linux. __________________ Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe - AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ - EVGA 7600GT X 2 - 2 GB Corsair XMS PC6400 - Antec Neo HE500 - Coolermaster Ammo 533 - Vista Home Premium

10-23-2002, 12:26 PM	#4
CorruptedSanitY Member (10 bit) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 567	why not learn media programs liek Adobe PhotoShop ? You spend hours experimenting with different pictures and different themes.. you could even design web company logos or even local stores in ur home town logos..could make alittle money on the side..apart from it being a hobby.. Or you could even learn Swish ( a smaller version of Macromedia Flash ) __________________ AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual @ 6000+ Zalman CNPS9700 NT Heat Sink Asus M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition motherboard Corsair XMS2 DHX twin pack - 2x2gb @ 800mhz Windows XP Pro SP2 32 bit GigaByte Nvidia 8600GT 512 video card Seagate 100 GB Sata 8mb HD Seagate 320 GB Sata 8mb HD 1394B (aka Firewire 800) PCI card -[ et tu Brutus ? ]-

10-23-2002, 01:07 PM	#5
Nuclear Krusader Mondsreitersmann Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Skingrad Posts: 8,970	C'mon TEEB, don't worry, if it becomes a job you can always call me in to help you. You can do the web desing while I assemble the computers. Why not learning Linux? It seems it will be here for a long time. __________________ Darum still, füg' ich mich, wie Gott es will. Nun, so will ich wacker streiten, und sollt' ich den Tod erleiden, stirbt ein braver Reitersmann.

10-24-2002, 09:41 AM	#12
reboot Member (14 bit) Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Kelowna, B.C., Canada Posts: 9,138	There are plenty of areas you can specialize in, just building systems. Consider the neighborhood teenagers, they want a gaming box. The local car shop want's a point of sale system, and the retired guy down the street want's an internet machine to do geneaology, while the next person wants to do photo editing, and yet another wants to do desktop publishing... They all require the same basic hardware, but with key differences. Find the audience that has the combination of demand and money to spend, and you can turn an enjoyable hobby into a few extra $$$. For awhile I specialized in computers for Seniors. No gaming machines here, but lots of internet (big monitors for poor eyes), and a few combined with scanners/digital cams for photo stuff. I soon discovered that it's an easy way to make money, but you could spend far more time doing support than you like. I decided to specialize in gaming boxes, where video framerates are the only thing that matters. Teenagers, spending dad's money here, far less support to do, and the money is easier. I guess the trick is to find a niche that's not being filled to capacity by the competition, and do it better than everyone else. __________________ Black holes are where God divided by zero... Cheers, Jim Jims Modems

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10-23-2002, 12:24 PM	#3
Hot Rod Member (9 bit) Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 413	You say you hosted your own web site. I'm assuming you do your own web site programming? I would look at expanding on web site design. It is a good mixture of technical knowledge and creativity. You could design sites for local businesses or organizations. There are a lot of things you can learn in Web site programming besides just HTML also. Plenty of things to expand your horizons.

10-23-2002, 01:33 PM	#6
TEEB Canadian Content Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Vancouver Island , BC, Canada Posts: 1,622	I thought of learning Linux, I even made a post asking about it. I'm afraid it would come under the heading of "not using and losing". Unlike a lot of others I don't have a problem with Windows. I think it's pretty good, all things considered. I"m leaning towards the technical side of it, but, don't Know what

10-23-2002, 01:45 PM	#7
mbossman2 I am, in reality, a moose Staff Premium Member Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: RTP, NC Posts: 2,453	i am with Corrupt. I would look into specializing within an area of computing that appeals to you both personally and professionally. Other than PC's what hobbies to you have? Can any of these be expanded into the digital plane of existance?

10-23-2002, 08:00 PM	#8
TEEB Canadian Content Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Vancouver Island , BC, Canada Posts: 1,622	Specializing.... Sounds like what I need. Now what area do I want to go? Something technical...

10-23-2002, 08:02 PM	#9
TEEB Canadian Content Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Vancouver Island , BC, Canada Posts: 1,622	Sorry! The administrator has specified that users can only post one message every 30 seconds. How did I get this. I was only trying to post one message??

10-23-2002, 08:10 PM	#10
Mac Medic Member (11 bit) Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,729	I'm sure there are plenty of filmmakers in your neck of the woods, why not try your hand and at video and audio editing. I'm sure production companies in your area both professional and amateur are looking for video and sound editors. I know they are here. And while a lot of these jobs don't pay they are projects that are perfect to learn on.

10-23-2002, 08:57 PM	#11
ZANEY123 HOCKEY FREAK Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: philadelphia pa Posts: 1,078	sometimes when you click the submit button,, once it actaully does it twice,,,done that plenty of time to me,,,trigger finger,,,,

10-24-2002, 11:05 AM	#13
piasabird Member (11 bit) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Confluence of the Mississippi and Misouri Rivers Posts: 1,242	Here is an example of what Linux is capable of doing: http://www.theregus.com/content/4/26741.html This is for Xandru Linux; use to be Corel. They claim some of these Linux Distros are very Windows friendly. At the rate they are developing them, they could become easier to run than windows, and more dependable. Linux can be fun to experiment with. The configuration is a little different and the operating system is a lot more complex and supports user rights similar to a network operating system like Novel Netware. One option you could also do is to become a Network Installer for people that want Cable modems and routers and want to network their computers. Networking can be fun.

10-24-2002, 11:19 AM	#14
LawyerRon The Gavel Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Upland, CA Posts: 6,320	TEEB, Follow this old quote: "Do what you love and you'll never have to work for a living". __________________ "To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves"

10-26-2002, 12:17 PM	#16
TEEB Canadian Content Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Vancouver Island , BC, Canada Posts: 1,622	I'd like to thank everyone that took the time to respond to this thread. It is very much appreciated. Lots of good ideas. Special thanks to REBOOT and LawyerRon!!

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