Professional Systems Administrator wanting your business
 

Hi, all -

Well, I've never done this before on GFY, but I thought it would be a good opportunity to help a few of you guys out.

My name is Dan, and I'm a professional freelance Systems Administrator.

I have clients all over the world, in both Mainstream and Adult markets, and I've been doing freelance consulting for over a year. Prior to that, I had worked for several large Web Hosting companes to include Cavecreek/CWIE, IPOWER, and a brief stint at GoDaddy and others, doing everything from security management, systems engineering, load balancing and distribution services, cluster configurations and overall systems design and administration. I have over 7 years of direct experience with every level of a LAMP stack, not simply installing Apache or IIS and walking away. My specialties include extending capacity for growing Web Sites, to include High Availability, Load Balancing, Redundancy, and Shared Storage. These aren't just buzz words, but rather, they are what I live and breath as a consultant.

I've been fortunate enough to have exposure to many impressive technologies which I've deployed and seen in production, which simply aren't generally utilized. I find it unfortunate that a lot of these technologies are not used, which could easily extend the able operations of a Web Site almost immediately, to ensure longevity and a more pleasant user experience. I do what I do because I enjoy helping, and I enjoy using the technologies that improve small business. I'd like to capitalize on my ability to perform these services for your small business.

My attitude works, and my services deliver every time because I focus on long-term relationships with my clients. I much prefer these as-needed Systems Administration contracts because they help me develop a better, deeper understanding not only of a particular industry, but even on a particular niche. With experience working with many different Web Sites that cater from the most subtle to the most extreme niches, I've developed quite a knack of knowing which technologies are needed where, for how long, and exactly what the cost will be. A lot of this can only come with experience, which is what I use to make decisions with.

If your Web Site is growing quickly and the user experience is slowing down at the same time, but you don't know what to do, you're exactly the kind of person that I'd like to do business with. I love what I do, and although I am very interested in making money while doing it, I never recommend or perform work which is not necessary. I'm a very honest and frank businessman and would rather not do business with you, than lead you in the wrong direction. I'll prove this to you by giving you a free one hour consultation to better understand your needs and help you consider your options. My rates are very reasonable, and with the right kind of agreement, I've even been known to work on a contingency - because I understand the potential, and what is at stake.

In closing, I hope at the very least that I've given some good Webmasters some things to consider. There are options which are completely viable, secure, and positive that can be applied to a current configuration which have a direct significant impact on your daily operations. If this is something that's been on your mind for a while, let's talk. At the very least, you'll have spent an hour of your time with me, knowing what it takes to make your business better.

Thanks for your time, and I hope to hear back from you in the near future.

Great post! You should put your contact info in there so that everyone knows how to get ahold of you :)

If you ever decide that you might like to move somewhere warm... say like Miami... and not freelance anymore... let me know!! You sound like you could be a great addition to our family.

Best Wishes,

Brad

what certifications do you have?

Hi, Brad -

Thanks for the reply, and I really do appreciate the offer.

Miami would get me a lot closer to Internext. I had a blast time I was out there. Met some great people, and had an awesome time. What an experience!

Signature added, thanks for the suggestion. I can't believe I actually forgot that. Thanks!

Next August make sure you come out for the datacenter tour... the NAP of the Americas site that we are located in there is simply amazingm it's geek heaven :)

Brad

Hi -

I have an RHCP, and an expired CCNA. However, I do keep on top of all the technology involved in what I use daily, so this is nothing that bothers me.

It's been my experience that since I am able to provide excellent references, certifications have little bearing on the decisions of most of my potential clients.

Someone asked me that same question and turned me down...

Then his database got deleted by some kiddie...

Then he didn't care about certs because he realized this was a street fight, not some we all line up on a hill and shoot at each other from 20 yards.

Did that kiddie have a "Rocks" somewhere in his name?:winkwink:

Hi -

Sorry guys, I had to give it a little bump :)

Hi -

Aaaaand, one more little bump here before bed.

Thanks for putting up with this, those that have already seen this. The exposure is great. I'm making all kinds of new contacts and have already started to bring some business in.

Hi -

And, of course, one more bump because you guys have been so good to me.

Thanks again for taking a look!

Hi -

Just wanted to take another opportunity for some exposure, and to also thank you all once more for all the business that I've gotten off of here. I've met some really interesting people, and been able to show them some good, quality work.

However, I'm always open for more opportunities, and welcome any additional questions or comments that you might have.

Thanks!

you'll never have my job, why? because all the freelance jobs went out the window the day "managed" hosting came into play..

are half the companies managed? no, but what do clients know?? Not much. lol


Good luck, you can have my job actually.. i dont want the headaches of 3rd party morons and their coding/port bugs anymore anyhow

Hi -

I appreciate your concern, but I really do disagree with you.

Those customers that you say don't have a clue, either have a very good clue, or none at all. I say that because perhaps managed hosting is exactly what they're looking for, but on the same side, they're kept strict to a ULA or TOS, which forbids them from making any kind of changes that they might want to do, which may be out of the ordinary. What you say makes these customers clueless may be the fact that they don't know exactly what they can or cannot do.

That's where I come in, and what makes me successful.

Since I don't have a ULA or TOS for any of my customers, I can pretty much get away with setting up whatever they wish. I find the creative thinkers who realize that they just might not be getting what they should be entitled to with traditional managed hosting, give them a guaranteed turnaround time, and give them the best quality work. That's the business model that works for me.

As far as my customers are concerned - I'd never call any of them, or even my potentials, clueless. That's one way to lose a whole lot of business right there. Sure, there are quite a few people out there who may not be as skilled or knowledgeable when it comes to what you (??) and I do, but those are exactly the kind of clients that I want. I want the clients that might not know exactly what they want from a technical standpoint, but sure as hell know that there's always something better out there.

ULA or TOS which forbids them from making any kind of changes that they might want to do? WTF are you smoking?

Give them a guaranteed turnaround time.. for what? Install TGP 2.0 in 30 minutes or less or you give them a free pizza?

People don't hire things to help them see what they might want, they hire what they need and only when they need it. lol

Become a salesman, its obvious where your skill is truly at..

Hi -

I really do appreciate the feedback, however, my services are not up for debate.

I'm quite happy with what I'm doing, and so are my clients. At the end of the day, that's all that matters - a good, solid, business relationship.

If you'd like to talk to me personally as to why you are so bitter towards my ad, please feel free to email or PM me. I really don't understand why you have a problem with it. I know exactly what I'm doing, what I want, and who I want to do it for. I have been doing this a very long time, and with that being said, I've found a few niches where I don't have to worry about anyone who's bound by a managed hosting contract or anything of that nature.

Regardless, I wish you the best of luck. Sounds like business is great.

I heard Lensman here might need some Sys Admin help with GFY.

Hi -

Ah, that would be pretty neat, but I'm sure he's swamped already with people bugging him. I'd hate to be that next person.

I'd make myself available, if he so happens to swing by and give this post a gander.

Your services? You are all fluff and no pie filling dude..
But this could just be a "ID10T error on my part".... right? :p

You left in 2004 when the industry was dieing, and now you return.. but why?
Trust me its ez to see you have not been active since 2004 hakkrdan
who played with CENTOS, plesk, and did some webcam stream consulting for someone.

So do tell, was the crack that good or the joint that bad? had to be one of the two. Which also probably explains the "short stint" with fuckdaddy

The world is much smaller than you think

Hi -

Once more, your attempts to get a rise out of me are not working. Again, I'm sorry if your business is not booming, and I don't really know what else to tell you aside from "keep on trying". Still, I don't think it's an excuse to be bitter towards my attempt to get more clients off of here. From what I've been able to tell, the only reason you're doing this is because your consulting company isn't doing so great, and you don't appreciate a little bit of competition - and I am competing with you directly, because I *can*. Naturally, you're going to take offense to this.

I really appreciate your comments, as it bumps my thread and gets me additional exposure. Just for that, I'll keep replying and playing along.

Seriously, though. Like I said - I like what I do, I love my clients, and they're extremely happy with what I've delivered for them.

I think what makes me successful is that I'm always positive towards what I do, don't flame people on boards who advertise their services because I'm unable to procure additional clients , don't "tlk lk this, r u 1 2?", and don't try to catch someone in a lie simply by Google'ing their name. None of that will work. Please do take note. Abiding by those simple rules are what has made me successful, and I enjoy that.

If it matters, my hiatus from the Adult industry was to get more into the mainstream markets, and although that always works well, the adult industry pays better, the clients are more understanding and savvy, and a lot of my mainstream clients turned out to be interested in the adult industry anyway. It's a win-win situation.

In closing, yes - I think it's safe to assume an "ID10T error on your part". And remember, the world is only as small as simple, closed-minded people think it is.

Have a great one.

This is the most replies any of your posts have seen on this board. Dan how far are you from CaveCreek?

Definitely might be interested. Hit me up chief.

Hi -

I'm about a 15 minute drive from one of their datacenters, which I have access to. I have a few other customers in that datacenter. I'm about another 5 minutes from the other.

Hi -

Thanks for the reply. I sent you an IM on ICQ, and hope to hear from you soon.

LOL, you should hit up John at Too Much Media. I hear he is hiring a sysadmin.

Hi -

There's very few people that I'd flat-out say I won't do business with, but if your recent reputation on here precedes you, you are absolutely one which I will have no business with, regardless of the circumstances.

Looks to me that John is a very respectable guy - you... not so much. I don't know what else to say, or how else to respond. I guess I'll just leave it at that, and thank you for bumping my thread.

Hi -

Don't mind me, just doing a little drive-by bumping, hoping that the first part of this post gets read.

Thanks!

Dan,

we are looking for some FULL time sysadmins to add to our lineup, hit me up if you have any interest.

Hi, Milan -

Thanks for the inquiry, but I think I'm going to have to stay freelance. I think at this point it would be a disservice to my current clients to turn them down in lieu of a fulltime position elsewhere.

However, doing this post has made me some really good contacts, including yours, which still leaves all options open in the future.

Hi -

Just another drive-by bumping - don't mind me.

Thanks!

Hi -

About that time again. Thought I'd give this thread some new life by bumping it.

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Well, you're persistent!

Good luck, Dan.

Hello -

I sure am. It got you to take a look at this thread, didn't it? Besides, I think people are more appreciative of subtle bumps like this, instead of automating 324238491284912844 posts to a thread :)

Hi -

Had to give it another kick here. Thanks :)

Hi -

Bump because I can't sleep :)

Hi -

We're about due for another bump.

Hi -

A bump, because I'm just that good. Thanks for putting up with it.

Let me give you a bump so you contact me :)

132510 icq

Hi -

One more bump. You know why :)

Hello -

And since this is working out so well, I'll casually drop another bump right here :)

Hi -

Boring Saturday evening warrants another bump, don't you think?

Did you change your handle, Dan? I seem to remember you as something else.

HI, Grouchy -

Nope, been using this nickname for several years.

I got another lead off of this post a few days ago, so I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to give it another bump!

Hmm alot of interest and yet still not biting... must be holding out for extreme cash.... good luck bump for you, but something tells me your overqualified for this crowd and no one wants to afford you....

When you are working 60+ hours a week who has the time for certs. I've been doing this work since 95 and most companies want experience over certs now days. Atleast that's how I hire them now.

Hi, Brad -

That's a respectable answer. And being in a hiring position myself, I can completely agree.

Sharphead, I've had many leads and subsequently many gigs off of this post. But it would be nice to land the big one, sure.

Bump for me :)