Over the past few years I have been asked by a number of different people for advice or help fix their personal computers. I have been quite successful, with most of the problems I have been presented with (all software issues).

For example today (it game me the idea) a friend had a unbootable Dell laptop. I rescued the files using a Linux boot disk, then formatted and re-installed the OS (+ drivers). Now the laptop is working perfectly.

My friend suggested I put an advert in the local paper (not charging much) for (software only) computer repair/ basic consultancy.

I can rescue data from unbootable computers, format/install/ fix OSs, repair most application software issues I am presented with, install and update drivers, setup wireless networks, setup PC and portable devices, tune change settings to improve machine performance etc… I could also act as a consultant, if someone gave me their budget and explained what they wanted from a computer I could advise them what they should buy, from an informed position.

I’m considering putting an advert in the local paper and in 2 shop windows. I wouldn’t charge much, maybe £5 an hour for repair work and if I can’t fix it to the owners required standard I wouldn’t charge anything.

This is just an idea, I’m looking for people’s opinions of the idea and if you believe there is anything I need to consider if I choose to do this.

Much appreciated.

I’ve never been to college once for programming. But I do have really good knowledge in HTML, CSS I have decent knowledge in PHP and mysql. I’ve worked with Linux server before and I’m currently running a Linux box here at home. I’ve made user login, register forms, upload forms (Video, Images) as well as I know how to make a site that will run very dynamically.

I don’t yet use too much classes in PHP but I do use some. Pretty much if I wanted to I could make a decent website. Today standards though where do I stand? One of my weak spots with programming is JavaScript, I haven’t worked too much with XML (mainly because I haven’t really had the use for it). As far as making graphics I blow at that. I mean I can make some graphics to get me by but I wouldn’t consider myself a pro by any stretch of the imagination. I love the work that I do. Coding has always been something that I really enjoy doing. Watching something come from nothing to something that is cool I always loved doing. Overall I’ve been coding for 3 and a half years. I pick up rather quickly on HTML, CSS was kinda like a package deal for me when using HTML to style everything on my site. PHP was something that I kind of forced myself to learn because really without it you can’t really do anything fun. And mysql was a package deal with PHP. :P

So tell me what are my chances out in the web development field?

Thanks,
Jon W

Cannot understand the low popularity and lack of comments …