gmonay

The web isnt free, motherfucker.

Contrary to popular opinion, the internet is NOT free. I can posit the thought process that goes on in the modern web users mind: the content is free, it is easily accessible, so why shouldnt the creation and publication of said content be free and easily accessible.

Thats fantastic, until the realization of skill comes into play. Ive worked in web for a short number of years. When I started, there was a more wild wild west feeling to the people who created web sites. A lot of people were just taking the money and running out of town.

As it populates and proliferates, I find myself no longer struggling for legitimacy: I dont feel guilty, Im coming into less and less situations where a client has been jacked up by a wanna be site creater for half of a deposit and left for dead. Trust me, its really the last thing I want, because I was raised as a somewhat honest guy by a man who ran a small-business. As I emerge with somewhat of a skillset, I do have people asking for free stuff, and now I find myself on the other side of the well.

You have to come strapped with cash. And thats that. I know its difficult to make a website the way you want it to look and function. Thats what Ive been doing to make a buck these past few years. If you want good work, you pay. For fucks sake, you could build your own car, but theres a reason why you go to a car dealership. Even if cars were free (theyre not), someone would have to pay for the labor. I mean, really think about it.

If internet programmers didnt draw pay, the web would recess to porn and websites for the type of shit web programming types really care about, which is not a fantastic web site for someone elses brand new business idea. Lets say I was an accountant. If I didnt get paid to look over your taxes, why would I give a fuck about your return? My buddy Mike does returns for his family. And thats pretty much it as far as the free shit goes.

(Its such a bummer, right. This was supposed to be a NEW ERA. Where tons of stuff is FREE. Everything you want. And man, youve got a real cherry idea, huh? Once this site gets made, the cash will just start rolling in! Henry Ford, you are not. He was an extraordinary guy. Chances are, you are probably not an extraordinary guy. Hey you should learn web programming. I hear its pretty lucrative.)

So, before you go to somebody who does web for a living, talking about your next great idea, consider this: show up with some cash in hand. Money speaks volumes as to the seriousness of your commitment, and the likelihood of future returns. A lot of people want to talk about future equity and all its synonyms, but forget that. If you want it done, get some money, save it, do whatever you have to do to get it. For Gods sake, show some commitment to your idea. Because if its really that great, you should be willing to make a sacrifice to make it happen. If that means the downfall of the web industry (I doubt it), Ill be happy to move into some other field. Until then, free aint shit my man.