Finding Coding Work Through Placement Websites?

An anonymous reader asks: "Poking around the net, I found a site called RentACoder. As the name implies, it allows people who need a program/web app written to 'hire' a coder to do the work, for a certain amount of money (minus a 15% commission). I was wondering if anyone on Slashdot has written code for this (or a similar) service, and if it's worth the time and skills. I would've evaluated it sooner, however they ask you to provide a social security number at registration. Is the site worth it, or will it just make me bait for ID theives? Is there a similar service that's less intrusive?"

Comments

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[madstork2000]

I have done work for people and hired people for work through rent-a-coder. Both types of experiences when pretty smoothly. Like anything you have to be able to effectively communicate.

As a programmer you need to be able to communicate to the potential client what you can do. This is the hardest part in my opinion.

Overall communication is the biggest key. Do you understand what the bidder wants? Does the bid have enough information for you as the coder to accurately estimate the amount of time.

Bottom line is can you work with the person at the other end? The few times I have participated it went pretty well because as a coder I knew what they wanted, and if there was a question I come usuallly elicit a clearer response. As a buyer, it was easy for me to define metrics / milestones for the project. I also knew approximately how long and hard the task was because I have done a lot of coding (I just didn't have time to do it myself).

Anyway, I think rent-a-coder is a pretty good service,
-MS2k

University students use it...

[emacnabber]

I was a system administrator in the CS department at a large university. We had several students attempt to use the service to get their homework assignments done. Needless to say, it didn't go over well when the professors and T.A.'s found out. If something sounds like a homework assignment, it probably is.

Re:University students use it...

[Nightlily]

Yes, there are several homework assignments posted as projects. First, I feel that all students should write their own code, but most of the blame falls solely on the students' shoulders. Personally I would have problems being paid to write a homework assignment, but the coders are just trying to earn a little extra money. Cheating should be handled by universities. Hey if someone is dumb enough to get caught cheating, it's best to get him or her out of the program as quickly as possible.

Re:SSN

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, you have to learn quickly -- it makes no sense to take a lowball bid that can't do the job; your money is tied up in escrow and you waste a lot of time and don't get the job done.

Accept a bid that impresses you as coming from someone who can finish it, or don't waste your time. There are other sites, craigslist, or other options -- if you can't find anyone to do it at all, you may just have to figure out how to do business without the product.

You are the flip side of the American coder who said they looked on there and thought they couldn't compete with the Asians on price, and so never bid on anything.

This is not ebay, you don't have to take the lowest bid.

Although in fairness, and without being too stereotypical, it's the Russians on rentacoder who have the most competance and the better skills. Argentina also seems to have more good coders than it's population would warrant. I would not advise selecting bids on nationality though -- get on IM and chat with the guy and figure out if he knows his stuff.

And if you have a bid that you guess is undercutting it, and the person does make good progress, you should re-offer it at a higher price or bonus them so they can finish it. Remember, this is capitalism -- if you want to keep a sustainable relationship, you can only both win, i.e. you get the project and they get enough money.

The usual pattern is that after 4 or 5 jobs though the site, for certain types of jobs you start going straight to the person you know will do it best.

No its not worth much time

[AutopsyReport]

The best advice I can give to you is to get your name out on forums (for job postings), check classifieds (like craigslist), check regular job sites (devbistro, etc.) and pursue every avenue to get your name and skillset in the public eye.

I tried sites similiar to RentACoder years ago which never amounted to anything. However, I did post my contact information and resume on various websites. To this day, I still get emails for contract opportunities. The little bit of effort I put forth to submit my name to various websites resulted in excellent contracts with clients in the U.S. and Canada (and I reside in Canada). Now I have been working for the same clients for several years -- the business is repeat.

While my approach may not be the greatest, when clients went looking, they somehow stumbled on me. That beat's bidding against foreigners who can make it seem as if you are overcharging. How can $50 an hour (or whatever your rate is) compete with $8 to 10? It's difficult when you can't accurately sell yourself online.