I've been offered to do some paid work for my dad's friend...

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
eldorado99

eldorado99

Lifer
Feb 16, 2004
36,324
3,163
126
My dad's friend knows that I know stuff about computers and he has offered me a short job deciding on what he needs in his office computer wise and then building/setting it up there. Today I'm going in to decide what needs to be done and whether or not I want to do this. I'm pretty sure they need (without having really discussed it with him yet) a fileserver and one more desktop computer to add to the 4 laptops and one desktop they already have. They are a lawyers office and are very data sensitive, they need the fileserver to be on the internet as well as all the other computers, all of the computers need to be able to access the files on the server. The problem is that I'm only 16 and I don't know if I'm capable of taking on the responsibility of a job like this... I've done lots of "My computer is broken, come fix it" for neighbours and family friends for the past 5 years or so, and I am almost A+ certified (probably could take the test now and might pass), but am I ready for this? If I am is there anything you guys can suggest hardware wise?
 
Y

yoda291

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
5,079
0
0
um. I say leave it up to the man with the $$. Explain to him what your experience level is with this kind of situation and your comfort level and if he still decides he wants you...well, you did warn him.
 
Gunslinger08

Gunslinger08

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
13,234
2
81
You'll be fine. Just buy them Dells, so you don't have to give them free tech support for the rest of your life. Set them up with a router with built in firewall (NAT) and some sort of filesharing software for the fileserver (maybe Novell with accounts that they have to login to).
 
S

shimsham

Lifer
May 9, 2002
10,765
0
0
the only way to find out is to do it. besides, you go in and kick ass and youll get some referrals. you could be in for some good money to just be 16.
 
H

Hammer

Lifer
Oct 19, 2001
13,217
1
81
Originally posted by: Mo0o
Just use Dells. CTU uses them, so does the SGC
Click to expand...

believe it or not, that's a good idea. just act as the middle man and take a nice cut. also, you don't have to worry about the support later on.
 
HardcoreRobot

HardcoreRobot

Lifer
Nov 7, 2000
16,403
3
81
hes approaching a 16 yr old kid to do the work for him... if it was VERY important to him he would hire a professional
 
Drakkon

Drakkon

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2001
8,401
1
0
16 was when i started taking on jobs like that...i always had someone older that knew more than me close enough by that i could ask if i ran into any trouble whcih is what i would suggest right off the bat for you to find. Not someone who just knows about computers but knows about legal issues like payment, what you can be called on, how many hours you worked, etc. Dealing with lawyers is a tricky business cause some are good guys but others can do their best to screw ya over when they get the chance and try and jip ya.

Hardware as suggested, make suggestions around Dell so they have 24/7 tech support that is NOT jsut you running over and reinstalling word when they cant get it up and running.
 
E

everman

Lifer
Nov 5, 2002
11,288
1
0
I'd consider a Dell server and PCs because they can deliver required tech support and warrenty. It also helps if things are standardized.
 
KK

KK

Lifer
Jan 2, 2001
15,903
4
81
Go for it, the worst that could happen is you fvck something up. Not like they can do anything to you since you are only 16. You'll be fine.
 
Scarpozzi

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,391
1,780
126
Just be sure that if you're going to be a consultant to a law firm that you sell them on the idea of backing up their data to SDLT or LTO drives... They're expensive, but you need a backup solution just in case their systems come crashing down.

How many employees are there and what are they doing exactly. If you put Windows 2003 on, you'll probably have no trouble setting them up and they'll have no trouble replacing you when you want to move on. If you install linux, they'll save money and be free from getting hacked quite as often. Novell would be patching the server twice a year...if that, but not many people are still on that sinking ship. (I'm a novell admin and love it ;)) Just find out what their needs are and ask the forum what you should do. We're here to help....just cut us in on the profits....we need beer too! :D
 
L

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
No offense, but that guy is nuts to hire a 16 year old kid to do that work.
That said, find out what the IT consulting businesses in your area charge hourly for similar work. Charge him the highest price you find. He probably thinks he can save money by getting some kid to do the work for pennies. Oh, and buy Dells.
 
eldorado99

eldorado99

Lifer
Feb 16, 2004
36,324
3,163
126
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Just be sure that if you're going to be a consultant to a law firm that you sell them on the idea of backing up their data to SDLT or LTO drives... They're expensive, but you need a backup solution just in case their systems come crashing down.

How many employees are there and what are they doing exactly. If you put Windows 2003 on, you'll probably have no trouble setting them up and they'll have no trouble replacing you when you want to move on. If you install linux, they'll save money and be free from getting hacked quite as often. Novell would be patching the server twice a year...if that, but not many people are still on that sinking ship. (I'm a novell admin and love it ;)) Just find out what their needs are and ask the forum what you should do. We're here to help....just cut us in on the profits....we need beer too! :D
Click to expand...

There are only 4 employees, luckily I'm not worried about them screwing me because the owner is my dad's friend and has been for many years. As far as I know since I havnt been there yet they just need a central file server, actually I don't think they even know what they need yet since they are pretty computer illiterate. I think I will probably go a Windows route since I only know enough about Linux to install it and play around a bit, I don't know anything about Novell either, except what it is. Windows 2003 Server is probably what they will end up getting although Windows XP Pro might even do the trick.
 
B

BCYL

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2000
7,803
0
71
Setting up file server and computers are easy, but you have to keep data security in mind... If you are hooking the file server up to the internet, and they are a data-sensitive law firm, you have to make extra sure the server is secure... If they have a breach, they will be liable for any damages (and lawsuits)...

Something IMO a simple NAT firewall/router will not be enough...
 
F

five40

Golden Member
Oct 4, 2004
1,875
0
0
You're going to want to setup a VPN for them if they want to retrieve files over the internet (especially if it's sensitive data).
 
B

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Originally posted by: BCYL
Setting up file server and computers are easy, but you have to keep data security in mind... If you are hooking the file server up to the internet, and they are a data-sensitive law firm, you have to make extra sure the server is secure... If they have a breach, they will be liable for any damages (and lawsuits)...

Something IMO a simple NAT firewall/router will not be enough...
Click to expand...

Exactly. This isn't your ordinary small business where a few bills or invoices could be stolen, this is a law firm with very sensitive information. That's the big issue here.

I'm just wondering _why_ the fileserver needs to be connected to the internet? I'd rather you have them burn stuff to a cd or put it on a floppy then expose all of the files by putting it on the internet.
 
eldorado99

eldorado99

Lifer
Feb 16, 2004
36,324
3,163
126
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: BCYL
Setting up file server and computers are easy, but you have to keep data security in mind... If you are hooking the file server up to the internet, and they are a data-sensitive law firm, you have to make extra sure the server is secure... If they have a breach, they will be liable for any damages (and lawsuits)...

Something IMO a simple NAT firewall/router will not be enough...
Click to expand...

Exactly. This isn't your ordinary small business where a few bills or invoices could be stolen, this is a law firm with very sensitive information. That's the big issue here.

I'm just wondering _why_ the fileserver needs to be connected to the internet?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure.. maybe so they can access their stuff from home, I think I'm going to try to talk them out of it though.
 
B

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Originally posted by: eldorado99
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: BCYL
Setting up file server and computers are easy, but you have to keep data security in mind... If you are hooking the file server up to the internet, and they are a data-sensitive law firm, you have to make extra sure the server is secure... If they have a breach, they will be liable for any damages (and lawsuits)...

Something IMO a simple NAT firewall/router will not be enough...
Click to expand...

Exactly. This isn't your ordinary small business where a few bills or invoices could be stolen, this is a law firm with very sensitive information. That's the big issue here.

I'm just wondering _why_ the fileserver needs to be connected to the internet?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure.. maybe so they can access their stuff from home, I think I'm going to try to talk them out of it though.
Click to expand...

There are a bunch of people on this forum that deal specifically with network security and the issues associated with it. I'd suggest starting a thread in the Networking forum for some help.

Also, the A+ certification has almost nothing to do with data and network security, which is the main issue in setting things up for this firm.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom