calling all Melbourne based IT geeks / nerds / solopreneurs

[TehCamel]

Originally Posted by SuzsSpace

My OH is an IT nerd, he's taught me most of what I know. Hopefully that'll suffice. I love on forums.

sounds a bit like my wife.. she's forever telling me about her trials and tribulations with the helpdesk where she works... and how she tells them how to do things etc that she's learnt from me..

sometimes, it truly beggars belief that some of these people say the things they do..

[gossipism]

ok, time to get my A into G with this one.

anyone free for a catch up mid next week (or earlier?)

numbers please?

[FS Concierge]

Hi dEx,

In our experience people become more likely to commit after someone has nominated a date, time and place, so I'd recommend that you pick something that suits you, and see who can make it. You can always change the date if it doesn't work out.

If you add a thread with those details, we'll give it a plug on Facebook for you and also a mention in our Friday newsletter if possible.

Have fun with it!
Jayne

[NathanB]

I'm keen to get in on this, Although I am strictly a Starcraft man.

[gossipism]

thanks Jayne

3rd of February? Any takers.

Based on the results well decide on the time and location then.

Be sure to bring remote access to anything and everything, this will be the most switched on meeting of the nerds ever.

bonus if you guys/gals charge for remote access.

[Linden - Agile IT]

Originally Posted by onsiteTECHS

G'day Dexter,

It sounds like we're in a similar situation.

I've been wondering recently how I'll tackle my first proper holiday since going solo. I'm dedicated to providing exceptional service coverage to my clients and so wouldn't want to just up and leave for more than a day or two, but can't really afford a full-time employee at this stage and eventually I'll want a holiday where I can switch off my phone and mobile broadband device and just sit on a beach for a few weeks.

I think finding a colleague in a similar position, with similar dedication and skills would be a great way to tackle the situation. You could divert your phone and email to each other as needed and know that your most valuable clients at least are being looked after while you're away.

There's also the possibility of referring work to each other at times when you're too busy, not particular skilled in a particular area or can't travel to a particular location quickly enough.

I'm on the Mornington Peninsula so if you want to catch up for a coffee sometime somewhere convenient I'd be interested in chewing the fat.

I don't know the words to kumbuya. Sorry

Cheers,
John

Hi Guys,

This is a common problem in our industry. There are many of us out there who provide great service, but due to that we are also stretched for time/resources. I find this topic comes up a lot in the IT industry and enjoy catching up with similar minded people to help out on business, resourcing and general ways of how to improve business.

I too am on the Mornington Peninsula, but I would also recommend an industry association called SMBiT Professionals www.smbitpro.org . This group was created for the sole purpose of supporting IT professionals focusing on the SMB market. Would be happy to provide any more details on this, but we meet on a monthly basis in Melbourne, roughly 70 members in Melbourne and 350+ across Australia. Good support for both business and technical issues.

Also interested in catching up...

[TehCamel]

at the moment, 3rd Feb looks ok for me. But I'd need to know time/place to confirm - I'd also be much more likely to confirm if it was inner city, south melbourne, port melbourne, st kilda, somewhere like that.

(bonus points if it's williamstown

[NathanB]

No can do 3rd of Feb. Will be cruising up and down the Murry in a house boat

I might have to wait for the next one.

[Jexley]

I missed this thread, but my local propellerheads have expanded. Port 80 started as a booze-up for nerds on the first Wednesday of every month a few years back.

Then, it became the Australian Web Industry Association, and Port 80 is the social arm. Now, we're finally getting some traction in other cities (started here in Perth) so that we're properly nation-wide and all that.

So, if you're keen for a meetup, there's now officially a group, and a fun one at that:
(from this link: http://forums.port80.asn.au/showthread.php?t=14455)

Port80 has finally made it to Melbourne!

Location: The Carron Tavern, 398 Spencer Street, West Melbourne

Time: February 9, 2012 at 6:30pm

Details:
Mark 6:30pm on the second Thursday of the month in your calendar and come on down to The Carron Tavern in West Melbourne to meet up with fellow web industry people, talk shop, learn something new and get out of the office. There will be a guest speaker and AWIA membership incentive offer. For further details, please contact AWIA Victoria Rep Joe Manariti.

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Hope some of you can make it, I can't speak highly enough of these events and what they've meant to my business AND my social life.

Cheerios!