Thread: directory of pg freelancers
Hi everyone. This year we've founded local (Czech/Slovak) PostgreSQL User Group, with the aim to promote PostgreSQL as a powerful and reliable database platform. We've learned that some of the local 'small companies' were actually considering PostgreSQL, but in the end they've chosen something else because of lack of support. I am not aware of any local company providing consultancy in this area (I know there's one company distributing EnterpriseDB products, but that's not what I'm talking about). Sure, there are companies in other countries, but none of them has a local office, which is a major drawback. And most of these companies aim for the 'big fishes' and are not interested in these rather small businesses. So most of the companies would have to rely on in-house developers, or (if the in-house developers don't know PostgreSQL) freelancers. The problem is there's no list of freelancers who can help in case of problems, so they usually find a single person (Pavel Stehule) and fear that's not reliable. So we are planning to build a small directory of local freelancers who can provide such consultancy, so that the companies know there are people who can help them in case of problems. I really don't want to reinvent a wheel, so I have a few questions: - Is there a project that does this? A directory of freelancers in a nearby area (e.g. a company located in a city needs freelancers who work/live nearby). - Would such project help to promote PostgreSQL in your country, or is it a problem specific to our country? In other words, does it make sense to build a 'global' directory or should we stick with a strictly local one? - If you're a freelancer, would you use such project? I know there are various sites with job offerings, but this is something else as the companies don't need a full-time employee. The companies want to know there is enough people who can (and are willing to) help them in case of troubles. I do have an idea how it should work (the basic functionality is quite simple), and I want to find out whether to stick with a strictly local directory or whether to think about a global one. thanks for your ideas Tomas
Tomas, > This year we've founded local (Czech/Slovak) PostgreSQL User Group, with > the aim to promote PostgreSQL as a powerful and reliable database > platform. Cool! Were you aware of the Prague PostgreSQL User Group? Are you in touch with Pavel, Zdenek, etc.? Let us know if you want to hold an event. > - Is there a project that does this? A directory of freelancers in a > nearby area (e.g. a company located in a city needs freelancers who > work/live nearby). Well, there's http://www.postgresql.org/support/professional_support. This app needs a lot of love, but I think it's what you should start with, partly since you would have data ready to go. > - Would such project help to promote PostgreSQL in your country, or is it > a problem specific to our country? In other words, does it make sense to > build a 'global' directory or should we stick with a strictly local one? Global. > - If you're a freelancer, would you use such project? Given the number of listings on the page above, clearly yes. Also, I want your domain. ;-) -- -- Josh Berkus PostgreSQL Experts Inc. http://www.pgexperts.com
>> - Is there a project that does this? A directory of freelancers in a >> nearby area (e.g. a company located in a city needs freelancers who >> work/live nearby). > > Well, there's http://www.postgresql.org/support/professional_support. > This app needs a lot of love, but I think it's what you should start > with, partly since you would have data ready to go. I've seen that list but that's a list of companies, not freelancers. Anyway it might be a nice starting point - the directory could contain companies and freelancers. The principle is that even the biggest projects usually start as very small ones - a tiny e-shop that evolves into a big company over time, etc. And those small businesses are not willing to sign a support contract with companies, they're usually looking for freelancers. One of the reasons why MySQL is so popular is that there are so many people claiming they know how to use it, support it etc. So the small businesses are confident that if something goes wrong there are people who can help them. So my idea was to do a quite simple directory of freelancers - for each freelancer there would be a basic description, knowledge, maybe projects he worked on, contact details and a address/GPS. Those interested might go there, enter an address and they'd immediately see what freelancers or companies are nearby. All that's doable in days using Google Maps API. >> - Would such project help to promote PostgreSQL in your country, or is >> it >> a problem specific to our country? In other words, does it make sense to >> build a 'global' directory or should we stick with a strictly local one? > > Global. OK. Actually it shouldn't be difficult to create 'local versions' from the global one (it's a matter of a single WHERE contition). >> - If you're a freelancer, would you use such project? > > Given the number of listings on the page above, clearly yes. Again, those are companies. I was talking mainly about freelancers, i.e. individual people who can provide consultancy and support related to PostgreSQL. Tomas
> So my idea was to do a quite simple directory of freelancers - for each
> freelancer there would be a basic description, knowledge, maybe projects
> he worked on, contact details and a address/GPS. Those interested might go
> there, enter an address and they'd immediately see what freelancers or
> companies are nearby. All that's doable in days using Google Maps API.
Right, what I'm saying is that you'd want to build a replacement to the
existing professional_services app, rather than a completely separate
piece of software.
Oh, and just because it's a PostgreSQL site ... you'd need to use
PostGIS/Openlayers instead of Google Maps. EYODF, you know? ;-)
> Again, those are companies. I was talking mainly about freelancers, i.e.
> individual people who can provide consultancy and support related to
> PostgreSQL.
A lot of the "companies" listed are actually a single contractor.
--
-- Josh Berkus
PostgreSQL Experts Inc.
http://www.pgexperts.com
> >> So my idea was to do a quite simple directory of freelancers - for each >> freelancer there would be a basic description, knowledge, maybe projects >> he worked on, contact details and a address/GPS. Those interested might >> go >> there, enter an address and they'd immediately see what freelancers or >> companies are nearby. All that's doable in days using Google Maps API. > > Right, what I'm saying is that you'd want to build a replacement to the > existing professional_services app, rather than a completely separate > piece of software. Hm, that makes sense, as someone who's looking for a support contact naturally goes to postgresql.org. On the other side, we definitely want to keep a 100% localized version directory. > Oh, and just because it's a PostgreSQL site ... you'd need to use > PostGIS/Openlayers instead of Google Maps. EYODF, you know? ;-) OK, and just for fun - let's use PostgreSQL 7.4, which was just reached EOL. ;-) I didn't know about Openlayers - thanks, it seems very nice (although it lacks some very important features - e.g. a geocoding support). >> Again, those are companies. I was talking mainly about freelancers, i.e. >> individual people who can provide consultancy and support related to >> PostgreSQL. > > A lot of the "companies" listed are actually a single contractor. OK, I didn't realize that. Tomas
Le samedi 11 décembre 2010 à 03:13 +0100, tv@fuzzy.cz a écrit : > > Oh, and just because it's a PostgreSQL site ... you'd need to use > > PostGIS/Openlayers instead of Google Maps. EYODF, you know? ;-) > > OK, and just for fun - let's use PostgreSQL 7.4, which was just reached > EOL. ;-) > > I didn't know about Openlayers - thanks, it seems very nice (although it > lacks some very important features - e.g. a geocoding support). Hi, maybe an interesting thing is to use OpenLayers + OpenStreeMap (maps) + PostGis for professional adresses :) Regards -- Jean-Christophe Arnu
Dne 11.12.2010 13:04, Jean-Christophe Arnu napsal(a): > Le samedi 11 décembre 2010 à 03:13 +0100, tv@fuzzy.cz a écrit : > >>> Oh, and just because it's a PostgreSQL site ... you'd need to use >>> PostGIS/Openlayers instead of Google Maps. EYODF, you know? ;-) >> >> OK, and just for fun - let's use PostgreSQL 7.4, which was just reached >> EOL. ;-) >> >> I didn't know about Openlayers - thanks, it seems very nice (although it >> lacks some very important features - e.g. a geocoding support). > Hi, > maybe an interesting thing is to use OpenLayers + OpenStreeMap (maps) + > PostGis for professional adresses :) Nice, OSM actually have even some geocoding support. The reason why I want to use Google Maps is that I know it well so I'm able to build the site within days. I have just very basic knowledge of PostGIS/OpenLayers/OpenStreetMap, so it would take a lot of time. And that's not something I want at the beginning, when it's not clear how useful this directory will be. But lets talk about the idea, not the technologies ... regards Tomas
Dne 11.12.2010 02:49, Josh Berkus napsal(a): > >> So my idea was to do a quite simple directory of freelancers - for each >> freelancer there would be a basic description, knowledge, maybe projects >> he worked on, contact details and a address/GPS. Those interested might go >> there, enter an address and they'd immediately see what freelancers or >> companies are nearby. All that's doable in days using Google Maps API. > > Right, what I'm saying is that you'd want to build a replacement to the > existing professional_services app, rather than a completely separate > piece of software. Hi, I've finally had time to work on this. I wrote a blogpost about the app I've built http://www.fuzzy.cz/en/articles/map-of-postgresql-contacts-and-events/ and I'd like to know your opinion. The "demo" app is available here http://www.fuzzy.cz/pgmap/ so you may play with it a bit. It's not "complete" but I believe it shows how it's supposed to work. Tomas
Tomas, > I've finally had time to work on this. I wrote a blogpost about the app > I've built > > http://www.fuzzy.cz/en/articles/map-of-postgresql-contacts-and-events/ Pretty cool, looks like you spent a lot of time on this. Where's the data being stored? -- Josh Berkus PostgreSQL Experts Inc. http://pgexperts.com
Josh Berkus <josh@agliodbs.com> wrote: >> I've finally had time to work on this. I wrote a blogpost about >> the app I've built >> >> http://www.fuzzy.cz/en/articles/map-of-postgresql-contacts-and-events/ > > Pretty cool, looks like you spent a lot of time on this. I took it for a quick trial spin, adding the court agency I'm in as a company contact. The only substantive comment I have is that it would probably be a good idea to allow an additional line each for organization and address. On the lighter side, I noticed that Google caught me walking outside during my lunch break: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Madison,+Dane,+Wisconsin&ll=43.074684,-89.38188&spn=0.003006,0.00383&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=43.07468,-89.381742&panoid=LhJ-PFHVzxRguJ6h616mmQ&cbp=12,355.53,,0,-1.32 The building I work in is in the background. For perspective, the satellite view: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Madison,+Dane,+Wisconsin&ll=43.07495,-89.38292&spn=0.003005,0.00383&t=h&z=18 You gotta be careful -- you never know when you're being watched.... -Kevin
Dne 23.5.2011 20:06, Josh Berkus napsal(a): > Tomas, > >> I've finally had time to work on this. I wrote a blogpost about the app >> I've built >> >> http://www.fuzzy.cz/en/articles/map-of-postgresql-contacts-and-events/ > > Pretty cool, looks like you spent a lot of time on this. A bit, yes. > > Where's the data being stored? In a PostgreSQL database, of course ;-) I do have a hosting with a PostgreSQL database, although a bit ancient version. regards Tomas
>> Where's the data being stored? > > In a PostgreSQL database, of course ;-) I do have a hosting with a > PostgreSQL database, although a bit ancient version. Yeah, was just seeing if it'd be practical to move this to community hosting. -- Josh Berkus PostgreSQL Experts Inc. http://pgexperts.com
Dne 23.5.2011 21:09, Josh Berkus napsal(a): > >>> Where's the data being stored? >> >> In a PostgreSQL database, of course ;-) I do have a hosting with a >> PostgreSQL database, although a bit ancient version. > > Yeah, was just seeing if it'd be practical to move this to community > hosting. It requires just a Pg database and a reasonably recent PHP (5.2 should be fine). Right now it does not use PostGIS but I think some of the features might be handy. Tomas
Dne 23.5.2011 20:48, Kevin Grittner napsal(a): > I took it for a quick trial spin, adding the court agency I'm in as > a company contact. The only substantive comment I have is that it > would probably be a good idea to allow an additional line each for > organization and address. Yes, I do have a list of possible TODOs and a few FIXMEs, and this is one of them. And I guess there should probably be a separate line for phone (or maybe two). Tomas