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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>We use Quickbooks to track time and send out invoices. We
were using dotProject to track tickets and general project management, but did
not like – there were mainly usability issues and we switched to ActiveCollab
(<a href="http://www.activecollab.com">www.activecollab.com</a>) and would give
a strong endorsement.<br>
<br>
Another question I wanted to throw out….how do you estimate
projects? Do you have a “formula” you use – do you
typically provide prospects with a ballpark quote first to gauge their reaction
or always provide a formal proposal? What kind of specs (if any) do
you require from the customer before you’ll bid on a project?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><br>
Thanks in advance for any insight,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Dave <br>
Mediacurrent<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> consulting-bounces@drupal.org
[mailto:consulting-bounces@drupal.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Michael Thorne<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, January 12, 2009 3:02 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> A list for Drupal consultants and Drupal service/hosting providers<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [consulting] List for Independent Drupal Consultants --
Anyone?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>I also love
FreshBooks.com. Awesome time-tracking for projects/tasks integrated with
online invoicing.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>On Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 12:57 PM, David Shaver <<a
href="mailto:d.a.shaver@dashaver.com">d.a.shaver@dashaver.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>I use FreshBooks for my client invoicing it work great<br
clear=all>
David A. Shaver
<br>
D. A. Shaver Web Design<br>
Web Page Design for Small Business<br>
<a href="http://www.dashaver.com" target="_blank">www.dashaver.com</a> <br>
Prairie State Runner <br>
Illinois Running & Racing Calendar<br>
<a href="http://www.prairiestaterunner.com" target="_blank">www.prairiestaterunner.com</a>
<br>
PO Box 594 Galesburg,IL 61402-0594 <br>
309.343.0027
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>On Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 11:43 AM, Dave Myburgh <<a
href="mailto:davemyb@gmail.com" target="_blank">davemyb@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>How about this: we use this
list as it does include independents, and if the powers that be object to that,
then we can start a separate list?<br>
<br>
I, for one, would be interested to hear how others manage their time,
particularly with respect to keeping track of client billable hours. At the
moment I use a small freeware timer program that can keep a list of different
timers. So when I start work on a project, I select the timer for the project,
click the start button and get to work. When I'm done, I stop the timer. At the
end of the month, I check the monthly total and bill the client.<br>
<br>
Up until now, I haven't done much on the project management side i.e. keeping
track of bugs, requests, etc. using an issue tracker system. I started looking
at creating a system using OG and Project modules, but a friend suggested
Redmine, which I eventually got installed and started using. Now I just need
the clients to use it. Does anyone have any ideas for this?<br>
<br>
Well, I think that's enough to get the ball rolling, so I'll leave it at that
for now. Looking forward to hearing from everyone else.<br>
<br>
Dave<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>On Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 12:05 PM, Adam Mordecai <<a
href="mailto:mordecai@advomatic.com" target="_blank">mordecai@advomatic.com</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
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margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in'>
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<p class=MsoNormal>The majority of people on this list are independent
developers, to splinter it even more would cause a low traffic list to be even
more low traffic. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>On Jan 10, 2009, at 7:57 AM, Sam Cohen wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
Hi everyone,<br>
<br>
I'm an independent Drupal consultant and I have purposely decided to not grow and
become a web shop or work for another web shop. I like being a one-person
operation. <br>
<br>
I think being an independent, a one man or woman "shop," comes with
many unique challenges and I was wondering if any other Indies out there would
be interested in starting a separate email list just for Independent Drupal
Consultants, in order to share advice on things like time management, working
with clients, managing work load, etc. <br>
<br>
If so, please email me at <a href="mailto:sam@samcohen.com" target="_blank">sam@samcohen.com</a>
and I'll start a list.<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
Sam<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________<br>
consulting mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:consulting@drupal.org" target="_blank">consulting@drupal.org</a><br>
<a href="http://lists.drupal.org/mailman/listinfo/consulting" target="_blank">http://lists.drupal.org/mailman/listinfo/consulting</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>
_______________________________________________<br>
consulting mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:consulting@drupal.org" target="_blank">consulting@drupal.org</a><br>
<a href="http://lists.drupal.org/mailman/listinfo/consulting" target="_blank">http://lists.drupal.org/mailman/listinfo/consulting</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>
<br clear=all>
<br>
-- <br>
-------------------------------------------------------<br>
Dave Myburgh<br>
<br>
Mybes Informatik<br>
[ creative & professional web design ]<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.mybesinformatik.com" target="_blank">http://www.mybesinformatik.com</a><br>
<a href="mailto:email%3Adave@mybesinformatik.com" target="_blank">email:dave@mybesinformatik.com</a><br>
-------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
consulting mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:consulting@drupal.org" target="_blank">consulting@drupal.org</a><br>
<a href="http://lists.drupal.org/mailman/listinfo/consulting" target="_blank">http://lists.drupal.org/mailman/listinfo/consulting</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>
_______________________________________________<br>
consulting mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:consulting@drupal.org">consulting@drupal.org</a><br>
<a href="http://lists.drupal.org/mailman/listinfo/consulting" target="_blank">http://lists.drupal.org/mailman/listinfo/consulting</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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