Ways to make extra money with IT skills

[GLaDOS]

Hi all,

I am trying to think of ways to make some extra money on nights and weekends using my skill set in I.T. In addition to my 9-5 job (I.T. Site Admin/Support Specialist) I do some consulting work for a very small start up company. However this work is very cyclical and lately I have found there to be less work for me to do as the company is now up and running. I mostly just troubleshoot technical issues for them whenever they arise.

I was wondering what other I.T. professionals did to make some extra money? I was considering possibly picking up some work as a Geek Squad member for Best Buy or, if I could, find some additional consulting work. I'd love to get some suggestions or ideas from everyone here though. Thank you very much for your help!

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

 

[carnageX]

Could always do the sorta work that Geek Squad people already do, but just freelance it.

Can always ask if your clients you do consulting work for, if they have any problems on their home computers and if they do they could always give you a call (maybe make a Google Voice # and give that out to them, so you don't have to give out your personal #).

 

[Kharn]

Just a word of advice, get them to sign a disclaimer saying your not responsible for data loss (and still back up the hdd before you touch it), and add a clause saying if any illegal material is found while working on a computer you can report it to the police.
I know two guy's who did stuff on the side and found stuff on customers systems that they ended up calling the police over who then got sued for it.

And get a Solicitor to look it over once you write it, seriously it can save a metric ****ton of pain down the line.

Just some advice.

 

[Lexluethar]

Tough to say man - side work is how i used to make money on the side. Lately i have zero free time since most of it's spent studying.

Your best bet would be to just do side / remote work. It's REALLY tough to get a customer base - but once you do and keep them happy you can bring in a steady stream of money.

 

[Brinson]

Just a word of advice, get them to sign a disclaimer saying your not responsible for data loss (and still back up the hdd before you touch it), and add a clause saying if any illegal material is found while working on a computer you can report it to the police.
I know two guy's who did stuff on the side and found stuff on customers systems that they ended up calling the police over who then got sued for it.

And get a Solicitor to look it over once you write it, seriously it can save a metric ****ton of pain down the line.

Just some advice.

I would wonder why someone working on a computer would need to open files to know there is illegal material.

Obviously, if its certain things, most people would accept that its better for the person to report it. But it still doesn't make it right for people doing repairs to snoop on people's data.

 

[lastplace09]

I print up hundreds of Kinkos fliers and throw them all over Best Buy parking lots.

I put a burner cell phone on the flier in case the police want to nab me for the littering.

Easy money. PC fixed, dollar dollar bill y'all. Get that money.




--Sent from my Blast Processing Doritto chip from Space Station Four.

 

[Joe C]

I would wonder why someone working on a computer would need to open files to know there is illegal material.

Obviously, if its certain things, most people would accept that its better for the person to report it. But it still doesn't make it right for people doing repairs to snoop on people's data.

If you were backing up somebody's hdd and ran across some child porn....Time to report it
If an adult gave your their laptop to clean up because their 14 yr old boy has been using it and a bunch of porn was found.....Carefully and tactically explain to the mom the child be need to be watched better while using their pc

 

[-RockMan-]

I would wonder why someone working on a computer would need to open files to know there is illegal material.

Obviously, if its certain things, most people would accept that its better for the person to report it. But it still doesn't make it right for people doing repairs to snoop on people's data.

Well if you were working for a company and you found illegal material you need to report it back to your supervisor.
Example: is child porn, racist stuff, threatning letters or any pirated stuff doing sufficient damages to the clients computer.
Can"t take pictures or screenshots, or any data that may land the person in jai and also in snaring you for tampering with evidence.
Your company should have a policy about that.

If your not working for a company such as I currently, all you have a right to do is what the customer ask you.
If you need to backup data because your reinstalling, transfering or doing other such repairs...
Yeah kahrn is right, have them sign a contract and explain the issue to them before hand.
Ask them what data they need and don't saves you alot of problems in the long run.
HDD's that are ready to die, upon doing any technical work I don't bother with it.
Not unless I know I can go in and out of the drive quickly and pull it out what I need.

Been doing it this way for 2 years and saves alot of problems in the long run.