The Freelancers' Union Building a Team for mutual benefit and

[kimochitim 0]

Building a Freelancers' Union

Okay a great idea that I think will benefit us freelancers.

 

There are a bunch of talented freelance coders & designers out there but there are very few who can do it all. If you are experienced in the field of web development most clients expect you to know everything (and they usually don't know how much that really is.) I for one am an experienced web designer who knows nearly nothing about programming and am always looking for a code geek on hand. Does this scenario sound familiar?

 

The fact is that we got all the people we need RIGHT HERE on Xisto.com we just need to come together and form a TEAM. Imagine having a professional Web Designer, Flash Developer & Programmers together.

 

It will take the stress out doing the things you hate by putting it in the hands of people who love it.

Expedites work to make the client happy

It will automatically create a team of critics for great feedback.

I know that there are going to be several issues:

Team Management

Art Direction

Member Reliability

Accounting

If you have a freelancer friend on this site who might be interested in this idea please send them to this topic.

 

Let's give it a shot, something magical might happen.

[Fractured.Logic 0]

I am fascinated that this hasn't received any replies, yet. Sorry I didn't post sooner, Kimo; I've been really busy and I was celebrating my daughter's birthday yesterday (Thursday).Personally, I could offer a wide variety of art, graphics and knowledge of HTML and CSS. Which may or may not seem like much, but I'm always interested in learning more.I think this is an excellent idea: working together to eliminate weaknesses by dividing responsibilities based upon personal talents! Have I understood that correctly, Kimo? This really deserves more feedback, in my opinion. Anyone else interested in speaking up?

[jlhaslip 4]

Sounds like a decent concept. I'm in.I know html/css/php and 'some' js.

[rayzoredge 2]

I'd love to hop aboard but I'm more of a jack-of-all-trades guy. But maybe this can use someone who's familiar with HTML, JavaScript, ActionScript, and CSS?If you have multiple subject matter experts, who gets the task? Will this be organized as far as everyone constantly getting work? Or queued so that everyone has a chance? If there is enough of a demand, how do you determine who works on what?Basically, how would this work out? Could you elaborate on the concept so maybe whoever would be interested will be more informed as to what they're jumping into?

[kleong 0]

This is a great idea. I am in. I know about html, css, javascript, php (mysql) and if there is still anyone using it, perl as well. Then again, as mentioned, who will get to do what and who will be doing the liasing etc. Many issues to settle.

[Fractured.Logic 0]

There we go! Now the forums have stirred up a little bit B)I also have a friend who is looking to expand her freelancing, and has a fantastic background in marketing and market research. Between all of us, imagine what we could accomplish.I hope Kimo gets back to all of us, soon. I bet he's going to be thrilled to see his idea suddenly lit on fire!

[mahesh2k 0]

Interesting concept. I'm in. I'm familiar with web developement. and concept like this is good exercise in terms of skills and management and peer communication. Do let us know more about this. on how to proceed and what other plans you've.

I hope Kimo gets back to all of us, soon. I bet he's going to be thrilled to see his idea suddenly lit on fire!

Indeed it is interesting idea. But it's sad to see very few are replying to it.

[kimochitim 0]

I'd love to hop aboard but I'm more of a jack-of-all-trades guy. But maybe this can use someone who's familiar with HTML, JavaScript, ActionScript, and CSS?

 

If you have multiple subject matter experts, who gets the task? Will this be organized as far as everyone constantly getting work? Or queued so that everyone has a chance? If there is enough of a demand, how do you determine who works on what?

 

Basically, how would this work out? Could you elaborate on the concept so maybe whoever would be interested will be more informed as to what they're jumping into?

Honestly, it's still in the idea form. I wanted to post it to get feedback on it. I could organize it with help but first I think we should gather people who are interested first, then we will talk.

 

OOOOOOH! Exciting! Can you guys (and anyone interested) send me a message w/ your email?

Please name the subject of the message "Freelancers Union".

 

 

I will let this post run for a week and let the union grow, after which I will email you. Don't forget to message me!

 

Thank you.

 

Edited May 2, 2009 by kimochitim (see edit history)

[webishqiptar 0]

Well I can offer help too. I am very good on CSS and Wordpress too. I have lots of experience on coding psd to css/xhatml. Then i have lots of experience on wordpress coding.

[rnichilo 0]

I am a Graphic.Web Designer/PhotographerI would definitely be interested in trading custom graphics/photo services for custom forum mods, etcgood idea, keep this topic alive, lets do this!

[kimochitim 0]

yo yo yo. I am back PLEASE CHECK THIS TOPIC REGULARLY!! I think this is the best way we can all communicate together (we get myCents too) and we can also attract more people by letting everyone read.

 

Ok, I guess a good way we could start is through introduction,what your skills are and it would be great if you had something to showcase. it would be best if we posted it rather than going to profiles, it all can be read in one place.

 

I am Tim

I am unemployed at the moment. Well, I got a little tiny part-time job and I am fighting my way back into the webdev biz.

 

I can:

Photoshop - Advanced, almost pro but not.

HTML - Pro

CSS - Advanced

Experience in WebDev field

managed a web department for a company and was freelance for a while.

Showcase link - as I said earlier, I am getting back into it... this is my current project, it's not finished.

 

[rayzoredge 2]

Kim: For just getting back into it, I'm very impressed by your showcase project... and it's not even done yet! GJ!

 

I suppose you kind of quelled my concerns that I PM'd you earlier... but I'm not sure if it was really covered. So I'll reiterate it here:

 

What about jack-of-all-trades people like me? I know a bit about everything but I can't consider myself to be an expert in anything. How would tasking go about for people like me? If you had the choice of assigning work to someone who was a subject matter expert or to someone with intermediate knowledge, obviously I would see that the work would go to the person more proficient with that particular tool set or software required for the work.

 

-

 

I suppose I'll go with my introduction here as a possible freelancer...

 

My name is Ray and I'm more of an enthusiast as to my skill set. I suppose the way I can explain it best is that if I have a personal need for it, I will look it up, learn it, use/practice it, and then put it away only to forget how I did things in the first place years later. I think that if I actually was able to use my skills more, I would be better honed and ready to take on whatever project that might come up in the future.

 

As I've denoted before, I'm a jack-of-all-trades due to the way I learn things. I am familiar and have what I consider intermediate to great knowledge of being able to:

 

code HTML/XHTML (pretty good knowledge)

code JavaScript (very familiar with the structure, intermediate knowledge)

code CSS (very familiar with the structure, intermediate knowledge)

code ActionScript (very familiar with the structure, basic knowledge)

use Adobe Flash (very familiar, intermediately proficient)

use Adobe Photoshop (very familiar, intermediately proficient but no 3D experience)

use AutoDesk AutoCAD (very familiar, intermediately proficient with both 2D and 3D)

I don't really have much to showcase which stinks except for my pathetically-simple MySpace Flash profile (which I like anyway), and I learn everything through tutorials, using the programs, getting used to the environments, and then hacking up what I know to create my own stuff.

 

If anyone wants to have a head start on anything that I know, I'll be more than willing to help you out to get you in the right direction. Also, I know that "intermediate" can really mean anything, so if you're curious as to what I really know, just ask me.

 

I'm currently employed with a telecommunications company in which I apply none of these skills that I know (except for very limited 2D work in AutoCAD)... which is why I'll be getting back into things like Kim is, although I can't guarantee that I'll immediately pick up where I left off. I would like to do some freelancing to help bring some extra revenue in, but it seems very hard to go out and offer your services when a million other people can do the same things you can, which is why it sucks to be a jack-of-all-trades.

[Fractured.Logic 0]

Hear hear, Ray. I completely agree. But I think, in a situation like this, being a jack of all trades is actually the perfect scenario. You'll be able to jump in on a lot more team projects because you will likely have something to offer that isn't quite fulfilled by the others. And when there's a little too much of one thing, you can step back and offer something else to bump things closer to a proper balance.

 

That's the way I'd look at it, anyway.

 

So anyway, here's a more detailed list of what I am personally able to do:

 

excellent vocabulary (bookworm since the age of 2 + spelling bee in elementary years = way too much time to learn the literary things in life)

fantastic spelling & grammar (seriously... too much time on my hands when I was younger...)

I can write anything, from poetry to novels (except blogs; I know, I know... as computer literate as I am, otherwise, I know jack be diddly squat with a burning... about blogging)

advanced experience with Adobe products (I've been using Photoshop since version 4, and Illustrator since version 5)

experienced with GNU Image Manipulation Program (I was introduced to this while playing around with Redhat 9, back in the day; promptly fell in love)

first-nature artist (graphite, charcoal, oil paint, hand-inking)

decently familiar with OpenOffice (this program kicks the serious @%*! out of Microsoft Office )

solid knowledge of HTML & CSS (self-taught )

typing ability: last tested at 111 wpm, 99% accuracy

 

Not so much for "real world" skills, but there you have it

Edited May 7, 2009 by Fractured.Logic (see edit history)

[rnichilo 0]

Hello Everyone! I posted a few days ago, I guess I should follow the format!

I am proficient in:

 

 

 

HTML

+Web Design

 

Photoshop CS4

+Graphic Design

+Image manipulation, HDR, etc

 

Photography

+I can produce Hi Res images for the common cause!

 

Word Press, phpBB

+Creative Writing, Blogging, Etc

 

If you need something just message me, I enjoy creating unique visual content

Edited May 7, 2009 by rnichilo (see edit history)

[onscreen 0]

Showcase link - as I said earlier, I am getting back into it... this is my current project, it's not finished.

 

I hope that you tell me that the bonsai in the picture is a stock image. The header thing is so identical to some css showcase site. Anyway, its an honor that you post up your showcase. Hope others do the same. Good luck!