hatchet said:
About a 9 out of 10. Standard windows stuff is a breeze. Got into programming dynamic websites and graphics after I got a quote for someone to do one for me. I like to build about anything - furniture, homes, convention centers, websites...etc. I can troubleshoot most stuff on a computer - if I can touch it anyway.
The first twenty or so years of my working life were in information systems, definition, design, development, and deployment. Towards the latter part, much of my time was spent working with business owners and their staff to show them how to use information to run their business. One common observation was that those who know how to use information properly were usually the dominant players in their area. They reached more customers, had faster responses, better margins and higher quality. Interacting with the computer is at the level of knowing how to fire a gun. Above that basic skill is the tactical level (Customer data bases and contact lists, computerized estimates, stardard form letters, automated fax responses, voice mail, e-mail, etc.), that allow quick reaction and low cost of operation, and above that is the strategic level (Lead management, web sites, financial monitoring systems, competitor database, etc.) that allow the business to position itself in the market, and navigate the changing business environment.
Think about the most feared competitors in any field, and a good information handling system is usually part of the domination. Think about Wal-mart and their to-the-minute inventory and sales tracking system, GE and their project management methodology, IBM and their client managment methods. On smaller scales, I've been in well-organized lawyer offices where a small team of 4-5 lawyers handle the work of much larger firms, and architectural firms which outbid and outmanage much larger companies.
One of the businesses I own manufactures roofing products which we sell to dealers, installers, and similar companies. Since I'm interested in selling more product, I try to understand how my customers run their business and how we can help them be more effective. The dealers that are moving ahead and growing have built good reputations by hard work and delivery of quality results, and are leveraging this by hiring people to carry on the system, while, the owners focus on managing the business. Extracting yourself from the "doing" and being able to manage requires a good information system, which in turn requires you to think hard about what's really important in the business, and how to capture that information without creating a bureaucratic nightmare. Then, the system must be put into place, everyone who uses it must be trained to use it effectively, and finally, the management/owners must be consistent in working with it. It's a lot of work, but what you're doing is setting up a production line, in which customer interest is going in one end, and money coming out the other.
So, those of you who have started the process, keep it up. You've got a powerful weapon that the contractors who don't understand computers just don't have.
I've moved more into PHP these days since I can do some quick and dirty integration with my websites that way. Perl handles a significant amount of my backend processing for my old picture databases.
