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Thus the only course of action I can take is to not accept the contract if it is offerred.

However, I will be happy to discuss with them that I cannot consider taking the job because I feel that what they would want me to do is morally reprehensible.

I try to abide by what I feel is right. But I have worked for companies whose principles I objected to, because that's what I had to do to survive. I did the best job I could while I had the jobs, but did my best to move on to other work as soon as possible.

But there are some things I just won't do.

Thus the only course of action I can take is to not accept the contract if it is offerred.

However, I will be happy to discuss with them that I cannot consider taking the job because I feel that what they would want me to do is morally reprehensible.

I try to abide by what I feel is right. But I have worked for companies whose principles I objected to, because that's what I had to do to survive. I did the best job I could while I had the jobs, but did my best to move on to other work as soon as possible.

But there are some things I just won't do.

I joined ICCA . They've got a pretty good organization. I didn't get insurance through them, mostly because the insurance liason never returned my calls. I went through a company called United states liability insurance group . I get a pretty good deal with them.

As for advertising, I've been doing a lot of self advertising. I did most by sending out flyers, then by using photoshop to design my brochure. A mac is great for that kind of stuff. looks real prof. I went to KINKOs and had them put it on high quality paper.

I expanded by simply my repeat customers. One of my first customers was an old man who I didn't even know. Little did I know that fixing his computer for 35 bucks an hour would introduce me to his son who was a contractor for houses in the range of 300,000 to 1.5 million. I got into the insurnace game by calling up small agents. One agent led to another. I got my first sys admin gig by a guy who knows my wife. He said "hey, I hear you're a network guy" I said yes, had a couple of appointments to "make his network run faster, and oh yeah, add this computer to my network" and I landed my first sys admin contrcact. Now most of my jobs come from this guy's reccommnedation and from small time insurance companies. I don't build much systems anymore and I've got experience.

Become a reseller. It's a hassle at first, but you get killer deals on multi paks. All you have to do is come up with some financial references and a business liscense and show the distributor a solid business plan with a revenue balance statement, and you are good to go. send to my email nibasm@hotmail.com. pls don't spam it. (it doesn't matter, it's my junkmail acct anyway, but i hate having to delete it just to get more messages ):}

I've been in the business for almost ten years now, the last several as a contractor with a firm. I'm considering going independent and have just done all the homework on this.

Before you start, consider your risks, the level of security you need, and then expand that assessment to the next five years.

I'm married with a young boy, so I can't imagine taking any extra risk. That has pushed me to start an S-Corporation and have an accountant manage the bills, payroll, taxes, etc. I figured out what it costs net for my family to live and had the accountant work backward from that to figure minimum bill rates. I had him figure in retirement and insurances, etc. It gives me a great picture of what it's going to take for me to be successful without question.

For an individual who's not married, no real responsibilities of home and health and all that, you might be money ahead to be a sole proprietorship and simply pay income tax. Save the accountant and attorney fees, invest what you want. Spend the rest.

I'd suggest having a qualified law firm handle the incorporation. If your charter isn't right and it gets challenged for some reason you'll have BIG headaches in tax court and who knows what else. Spend the $1500-$2000 to get it done right.

There's an organization called the Independent Computer Consultants Organization that can help with a lot of things, including contract drafts, etc. Membership isn't that bad, like $150-$200 for an individual or small firm.

Do the work up front. Surprises are always costly, and they generally leave your customer unwilling to do business again. And as an independent of any type, that's the biggest mistake to make. One bad customer can take a dozen with him if he's connected.

you're going to need to fill out a 1040z.. one thing i can advise you if you're going to consult/freelance/contract (they're all pretty much the same) :-) is that anything you purchase... gas, work related material, even taking out someone to dinner... save the receipt... you can get A LOT of write offs on your taxes... and don't be ashamed... just don't purchase a plane flight to the Bahamas and consider it a business trip... but you know what i mean... i've been doing that for 2 years already and it works out great... remember... your accountant is your friend ;-)

Also, check out the Independent Computer Consultants Association... it's a site set up for guys like us for information on consulting and so forth

best of luck

Independent Computer Consultants Association (ICCA) is a national not-for-profit association, founded in 1976 with headquarters in St. Louis. ICCA provides professional development opportunities and business support programs for independent computer consultants. ICCA has chapters in many major metropolitan areas representing nearly 1500 consulting firms nationwide. ICCA also offers its members numerous Benefits and Services.

Members of the ICCA abide by a Code of Ethics and adhere to the Standards and Practices of ICCA. Members are computer and software experts who have practical experience with the industry's rapidly changing technology. Members use, recommend and install the latest products, and help corporations and individuals utilize the capabilities of the technology they own.

Membership into ICCA is by firm, ranging from a 1 person, 2-9 person and 10+ person firms. Membership dues are $175, $225 or $275 a year, based on firm size. ICCA chapters have individual dues ranging from $35 to $100 a year, based on your chapter selection. You can join ICCA at any time throughout the year, generating anniversary/renewal date one year from your join date.

Hope this helps,

Berezelius

Independent Computer Consultants Association (ICCA) is a national not-for-profit association, founded in 1976 with headquarters in St. Louis. ICCA provides professional development opportunities and business support programs for independent computer consultants. ICCA has chapters in many major metropolitan areas representing nearly 1500 consulting firms nationwide. ICCA also offers its members numerous Benefits and Services.

Members of the ICCA abide by a Code of Ethics and adhere to the Standards and Practices of ICCA. Members are computer and software experts who have practical experience with the industry's rapidly changing technology. Members use, recommend and install the latest products, and help corporations and individuals utilize the capabilities of the technology they own.

Membership into ICCA is by firm, ranging from a 1 person, 2-9 person and 10+ person firms. Membership dues are $175, $225 or $275 a year, based on firm size. ICCA chapters have individual dues ranging from $35 to $100 a year, based on your chapter selection. You can join ICCA at any time throughout the year, generating anniversary/renewal date one year from your join date.

Hope this helps,

Berezelius

Independent Computer Consultants Association (ICCA) is a national not-for-profit association, founded in 1976 with headquarters in St. Louis. ICCA provides professional development opportunities and business support programs for independent computer consultants. ICCA has chapters in many major metropolitan areas representing nearly 1500 consulting firms nationwide. ICCA also offers its members numerous Benefits and Services.

Members of the ICCA abide by a Code of Ethics and adhere to the Standards and Practices of ICCA. Members are computer and software experts who have practical experience with the industry's rapidly changing technology. Members use, recommend and install the latest products, and help corporations and individuals utilize the capabilities of the technology they own.

Membership into ICCA is by firm, ranging from a 1 person, 2-9 person and 10+ person firms. Membership dues are $175, $225 or $275 a year, based on firm size. ICCA chapters have individual dues ranging from $35 to $100 a year, based on your chapter selection. You can join ICCA at any time throughout the year, generating anniversary/renewal date one year from your join date.

Hope this helps,

Berezelius

Independent Computer Consultants Association (ICCA) is a national not-for-profit association, founded in 1976 with headquarters in St. Louis. ICCA provides professional development opportunities and business support programs for independent computer consultants. ICCA has chapters in many major metropolitan areas representing nearly 1500 consulting firms nationwide. ICCA also offers its members numerous Benefits and Services.

Members of the ICCA abide by a Code of Ethics and adhere to the Standards and Practices of ICCA. Members are computer and software experts who have practical experience with the industry's rapidly changing technology. Members use, recommend and install the latest products, and help corporations and individuals utilize the capabilities of the technology they own.

Membership into ICCA is by firm, ranging from a 1 person, 2-9 person and 10+ person firms. Membership dues are $175, $225 or $275 a year, based on firm size. ICCA chapters have individual dues ranging from $35 to $100 a year, based on your chapter selection. You can join ICCA at any time throughout the year, generating anniversary/renewal date one year from your join date.

Hope this helps,

Berezelius

Independent Computer Consultants Association (ICCA) is a national not-for-profit association, founded in 1976 with headquarters in St. Louis. ICCA provides professional development opportunities and business support programs for independent computer consultants. ICCA has chapters in many major metropolitan areas representing nearly 1500 consulting firms nationwide. ICCA also offers its members numerous Benefits and Services.

Members of the ICCA abide by a Code of Ethics and adhere to the Standards and Practices of ICCA. Members are computer and software experts who have practical experience with the industry's rapidly changing technology. Members use, recommend and install the latest products, and help corporations and individuals utilize the capabilities of the technology they own.

Membership into ICCA is by firm, ranging from a 1 person, 2-9 person and 10+ person firms. Membership dues are $175, $225 or $275 a year, based on firm size. ICCA chapters have individual dues ranging from $35 to $100 a year, based on your chapter selection. You can join ICCA at any time throughout the year, generating anniversary/renewal date one year from your join date.

Hope this helps,

Berezelius

Independent Computer Consultants Association (ICCA) is a national not-for-profit association, founded in 1976 with headquarters in St. Louis. ICCA provides professional development opportunities and business support programs for independent computer consultants. ICCA has chapters in many major metropolitan areas representing nearly 1500 consulting firms nationwide. ICCA also offers its members numerous Benefits and Services.

Members of the ICCA abide by a Code of Ethics and adhere to the Standards and Practices of ICCA. Members are computer and software experts who have practical experience with the industry's rapidly changing technology. Members use, recommend and install the latest products, and help corporations and individuals utilize the capabilities of the technology they own.

Membership into ICCA is by firm, ranging from a 1 person, 2-9 person and 10+ person firms. Membership dues are $175, $225 or $275 a year, based on firm size. ICCA chapters have individual dues ranging from $35 to $100 a year, based on your chapter selection. You can join ICCA at any time throughout the year, generating anniversary/renewal date one year from your join date.

Hope this helps,

Berezelius