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Most work like that *is* controlled by unions.
In many states the use of a Car computer Diagnostic reader is free. It's a minimum $49 just for it to get hooked to your car in Calif.
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Unfortunately, I know it is controlled by unions... that's what makes it worse, because in those cases there's no rhyme or reason other than the unions either getting a cut or keeping tight control. I'd be willing to bet they push all electricians into joining the unions or else they won't get licensed.
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Albert Holguin wrote: I'd be willing to bet they push all electricians into joining the unions or else
they won't get licensed.
The reality is nothing that one does can insure that licensed professionals are actually competent to do the work. So at best one strives to make it more likely.
And as with everything involving humans politics are part of it.
But despite both of those allowing someone to just start doing it solely because they think they are competent is not going to work either. So claiming that the current system is inappropriate is not an excuse to completely eliminate the system.
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No, but I've been volunteering with Camp Quality for a decade, and it's been wonderful to make a tangible difference in the lives of children living with cancer and their families...
I think more people (particularly blokes) should volunteer their time to whatever charitable causes they deem to be worthwhile, because it's been my experience that there are never enough male volunteers to go around!!
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_Damian S_ wrote: children living with cancer and their families
Sorry -= I know it is a serious subject, and I do seriously admire the work you do, but y'need to rephrase that 
MVVM # - I did it My Way
___________________________________________
Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011
.\\axxx
(That's an 'M')
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Possibly, but it's word for word from the CQ dominant thought.
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LoL. That's cool though. That's pretty much what I look for. Things that I feel can make a real difference in other people's lives.
djj55: Nice but may have a permission problem
Pete O'Hanlon: He has my permission to run it.
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I used to do some contracting work on the side, not exactly volunteering, but close enough.
So the owner of the shop used to define projects with an amazing ability to drive me nuts.
Imagine the healthcare.gov website. His approach would go something like this:
"It's very simple project, a couple of hours tops. Just add an drop-down with some insurance companies and when the user selects one, display and compare your plan with their stuff. Done!"
To all protests that this is a major task he would say:
"What? It's just a goddamn drop-down!"
Since then I kinda prefer a mostly professional environment.
modified 20-Oct-19 21:02pm.
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You are doing great but don't do that for along time otherwise people will get used to your "volunteer" stuff especially in the field of development they will use you alot.
I have done several volunteer works to develop websites for friends when i was in college and i also do my own stuff which doesn't pay also.
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If i can learn something new(from the masters :P) and if the job is fun (i don't count Web development as fun) why not ?
Microsoft ... the only place where VARIANT_TRUE != true
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The other side.....
You need to ensure that you pick the right organization if you are going to work for free. There needs to be someone that will appreciate what you do and deliver what you need (design guidelines, requirements etc).
If you do not have this you will do a lot of work and then be stuck with complaints. Even worse, a lot of work done that will not be used. If you have appreciation for you time and a willingness to participate then it can be a pleasure.
In my opinion it is always better to get some cash upfront to ensure that everybody is committed. This needs to be amount that is felt. A non profit may not be able to pay $ 5000 but they can pay $ 500 and it will feel the same to them as the $ 5000 to larger company. Make clear this is $ 5000 worth of work for $ 500 and you should be fine, with benefits for all.
Remember, if they are not willing to pay one cent then in general your work and time is worth less than one cent to them.
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.
~ Albert Einstein
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That's understandable. In this case, the site is already mostly put together. The design is complete, most of the pages exist. They just need a few enhancements added. They did offer to pay, but given that there isn't much work involved, I told them not to worry about it. And I'm in contact throughout each day with one of the owners, very clear communication on what needs to happen. 
djj55: Nice but may have a permission problem
Pete O'Hanlon: He has my permission to run it.
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In 2007 I retired and moved to the small coastal town of Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK. After almost 40 years of working with computers I found it difficult to let go and so volunteered my skills. It has been a great way of becoming part of the community, but there is a warning. A lot of retired people who volunteer find that quite quickly they have to back-off. It is very easy to sell your services for nothing. I have helped the town build up its tourism's IT infrastructure, web sites, webcams, public touchscreens, event screens etc. It has now got to the point where it's almost a full time job so I want to back-off. The catch-22 is that, I'm the only one who knows how all this was put together (lots of bespoke code). It would be very difficult for another company to take it over, they almost certainly would want to replace it and the cost would be prohibitive and difficult for the town to fund.
The town council insists on paying me a small retainer but this just means I am now contracted whereas I want to be retired. The idea was that, on retirement, I would spend a couple of years practising like mad on my Fender Strat so that I would be as good as Clapton, however after 40 years it's difficult not to get drawn to the computer keyboard rather than the guitar. Pathetic I know.
So, if there's anyone near Lyme Regis who would like to share the load, let me know. There might even be some money in it.
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I worked for a catholic mission hospital at a price which were way below what i
normally asked for and get it.My support extended for an long long overdue
time that i do for other clients.
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No, I haven't seen that before. Thanks for the link!
djj55: Nice but may have a permission problem
Pete O'Hanlon: He has my permission to run it.
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Sure thing! I was hoping to help too, but as my ability to code is lacking I just started doing Habitat. 
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I've done some volunteer website work for different non-profits around the US and its been a blast. I normally go through http://www.npower.org/[^] to find different non-profits. It's a wonderful site to help non-profits find IT people to help them.
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Thank you for that, I'll look into it right now!
djj55: Nice but may have a permission problem
Pete O'Hanlon: He has my permission to run it.
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My new neighbor got a habitat for humanity home. They drive a new Mercedes.
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Matt U. wrote: Have any of you ever done volunteer development work? If so, was it for a large organization, perhaps nationwide? Or something smaller, like a local cause? Through my girlfriend's mother, I got in contact with a local non-profit group. Their Web site was horribly put together by some guy, a slackjob. Luckily it isn't very complicated and we could keep the design and just rework the small amount of server-side stuff.
Anyhow, have any of you ever done something like that? I've been looking for places to volunteer my skills for a long time. I just didn't find it until now. Just curious.
Yup. In fact, my major project outside of work is a system that keeps track of a farm. The cool thing about it is that they are getting a first-rate software product that they never could afford otherwise and I enjoy making that happen. We get our farm share in exchange for it. If it were a commercial deal I could probably get $20 grand for the effort but it's just not about money, I just enjoy doing it.
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I help seniors in our building and some disabled people with their computers.
You know tune-ups, boot-up problems, security setup and remove waleware. Teach them a little.
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Matt - I'm also in Middle Tennessee (Murfreesboro). There's plenty of non-profits around here - and in Nashville - with old, dilapidated websites that would love someone to come in and refresh/update/etc. their websites (I'm working with a few now).
Just be careful how you approach it - one of my first gigs I was...less than tactful. I approached the office manager with "Your website is old and outdated, and uses technology that's ancient and was apparently written by someone who didn't understand web technologies. It needs to be updated." Guess who had built it...
Lesson learned. Now it's "I want to build my portfolio and help you all out by volunteering. How can I help?"
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Hahaha. Very good advice, my friend. I'm only about 20 miles east of you, in Woodbury. Small world, eh?
djj55: Nice but may have a permission problem
Pete O'Hanlon: He has my permission to run it.
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Joe was a successful lawyer, but as he got older he was increasingly hampered by incredible headaches. When his career and love life started to suffer, he sought medical help. After being referred from one specialist to another, he finally came across an old country doctor who solved the problem.
"The good news is I can cure your headaches... the bad news is that it will require castration." You have a very rare condition which causes your testicles to press up against the base of your spine and the pressure creates one hell of a headache. The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles."
Joe was shocked and depressed. He wondered if he had anything to live for. He couldn’t concentrate long enough to answer, but decided he had no choice but to go under the knife. When he left the hospital he was without a headache for the first time in 20 years, but he felt like he was missing an important part of himself.
As he walked down the street, he realized that he felt like a different person. He could make a new beginning and live a new life. He saw a men’s clothing store and thought, "that’s what I need .. a new suit."
He entered the shop and told the salesman, "I’d like a new suit." The elderly tailor eyed him briefly and said, "Let’s see... size 42 long." Joe laughed, "That’s right, how did you know?" "Been in business 60 years!" Joe tried on the suit. It fit perfectly. As Joe admired himself in the mirror, the salesman asked, "how about a new shirt?" Joe thought for a moment and then said "sure..." The salesman eyed Joe and said "let’s see...34 sleeves and...16 and a half neck." Joe was surprised, "that’s right, how did you know?" "Been in the business 60 years" Joe tried one the shirt, and it fit perfectly. As Joe adjusted the collar in the mirror, the salesman asked "how about some new shoes?" Joe was on a roll and said "sure!"
The salesman eyed Joe’s feet and said "Let’s see... 10-1/2...E." Joe said astonished, "that’s right, how did you know?" "Been in business 60 years!" Joe tried on the shoes and they fit perfectly. Joe walked comfortably around the shop and the salesman asked "how about some new underwear?" Joe thought for a second and said, "sure!" The salesman stepped back, eyed Joe’s waist and said "Let’s see... size 36."
Joe laughed, "Ah ha! I got you I’ve worn a size 34 since I was 18 years old." "The salesman shook his head, "you can’t wear a size 34, it will press your testicles up against the base of your spine and give you one hell of a headache."
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