The reason why sites like RentACoder exists, is because of this problem about "cheat" and "fraud". In this case, Cheat, Fraud and Lying Delphi developers.
Most Delphi developers complain there are no jobs. The reality seems to be, they (or their friends) sucked-up all the money and left the owners (of companies, investors) high-and-dry.
Just think for yourself. For C/C++/C#, you require some level of formal training. If you don't have the skills, the first week, you get kicked out (that's why most Delphi developers have problems adjusting to C/C++). The next week, assuming you survive the first week, your own skill-set and quality matter. That means only qualified, professional C/C++ developers need apply.
It's different with Delphi
Delphi is different case. You can almost bullshit your way to a finished working product. You can rip-off DevExpress, Raize, and TMS components to build a frankenstien application. The usual end-result is a poorly crafted application with shoddy and slipshod work.
When all the money is spend, and no money is earned, then the whole business collapse, these Delphi developers gets laid-off, looking to rip-off the next business.
Why does this happen:
1) the dot-com of 2000, 2005. Most developers were supposedly valuing themselves 80k, 100k, 120k, but... it seems their work is maybe worth US$1k. or maybe a pile of garbage without any quality control and testing.
2) Most developers lack formal training (what training?), lack even basic bachelor's degree in computer science.
3) The collect money and then suck the client high and dry tactic. Then claim bankruptcy and chapter 11, and then investors get pennies off every dollar. This was popular until GW Bush came changes laws so it would be harder to shake-off debt. Before this, you could get only US$1 out of every US$1000. Suppose someone borrows US$1,000,000 and then pays back only US$1,000 in the bankruptcy court. This is how many corporations supposedly went bankrupt and investors got peanuts. After the GW Bush ruling, it became so hard to shake-off debt, it could be one of the reasons for this sub-prime mortgage mess.
Best example: Delphi developer borrows US$500,000 under a corporation, then cites distress and files bankruptcy. Since it's a dot-com, the bank only could possibly recover US$20,000. With the new bankruptcy law, the bank and other investors files counter-claims and recovers US$450,000 instead.
Personally, I think this is one of the best laws G.W. Bush signed when he was president. Since this law was signed, most business people are more conservative in hiring and spending (and more liberal in laying-off, firing and pointing blame). This affects people who are deemed unprofitable and unnecessary.
Sloppy Delphi Developers need not apply.
Since RentACoder operates in USA, they are subject to USA law, so you do not need to go down to China or India. That means you save costs on China operations, only paying what is needed, not more additional not needed things, such as rent, gifts or that casual bribe to make sure everything work. That also means, things are written down and for those not familiar with Chinese or Hindi, you'll be surprised most Chinese and Indians speak English well. (otherwise, how did they find out about RentACoder?).You can enforce basic rules, such as quality assurance, which they seems to be infamous for. This leads to threats of quitting, or increase in salaries, or some kind of unnecessary additional costs. Instead of indirect threats, you can get a RentACoder arbitrator to see your claims and requests and then, if the project fails, you can move the project to next person without fuss. Some may say, that's no way how to treat an owner or investor - but if you see on other side, owners pay good money for good work, not the other way around. Notably, in India, when things get bad, it's always a case of sour grapes and loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars. With RentACoder, you can outsource your project to many people, so losses are limited.
Corruption not here
The most interesting aspect of RentACoder is direct pricing and proof of work. If you went to, say, China, you'll find 2 quotes - one for mainlanders and one for foreigners. The mainlanders pay 10% of costs, the foreigners pay 400% and get ripped off. Since there are no protections (or few) for foreigners, that leads to rising costs or some kind of delays or more and more delays. The end result feels like the kind of goods that are shipped from China. With RentACoder, since there are many people bidding for your job, you can award it to the lowest price and acceptable quality.
For example, Indians pay other Indians Rupees 4,000 (US$80) a month. But they charge Foreigners R120,000 (US$2,600) a month for hiring. That's why you see this ridiculous pricing all over the place and how they can afford to go so cheap. It's same also for China developers. They charge Yuan 20,000 (US$3,000) a month for foreigners, but their own mainlanders, they charge Yuan 300 (US$80) a month. That's why you see this very odd news about China supposedly raising minimum wages or that odd Indian developer complaining about low wages.
For benefit of doubt, check the local newspapers, such as Akila Daily, Sandesh (Gujarat region in India), Kerala Kaumudi (in Kerala, India), Sina jobs to name a few.
Prompt work
With your own development team, there is this sticky issue about prompt work, or getting things done at a certain date, time. It's always deadlines slipping to next month, to next month, maybe you should go on vacation for 2 years and come back it's still not complete. With RentACoder, if this happens, bring the project to arbitration and get a full refund, or parts of it. In most cases, the person normally loses whole project (which is a good thing, since cheat and lying causes them to lose the arbitration).
Cheat, Lying and Fraud Prevention
Your reviewer, using RentACoder, won nearly every dispute there is. It was simple:
a) Get everything down in writing. Since most developers are "deaf" on ICQ/MSN/Skype, it helps to get everything in writing.
b) Get end results clear and explained. Even simple things get so screwed-up.
c) Explain in detail how work should be done.
No Third Party and GPL Trash
The no-third-party and no GPL codes means that they have to do work, instead of giving you a 1/2 baked 3rd party component, or some GPL codes re-made for you. Since everything is in writing, that means, less chances for the person to cheat you out, or change subjects or simply take your money and do nothing. It's amazing how some people claim they are so religious, so pious and do such things.
No Plagiarism
Since RentACoder enforces people to use their own works, that means less likely for someone to "bait and switch" and you require massive amounts of money to buy 101 (or maybe 1001) components and poor quality plumbing codes (like toilet paper).
Newsgroup Attacks
Since everything is in writing and there is proof, the chances of newsgroup insults and attacks is much less. It's amazing how childish some developers are, after a relationship soured.
Amazing Advanced Fees
The amazing thing about Delphi developers is this advanced-fee mentality. Like you need to pay 20% upfront and then get 0% results. Or like you need to pay 40% and get 0 % results. With RentACoder, that's a thing of the past. With RentACoder's escrow, they only get paid when they do 100% of the works, and to your satisfaction. That means the cheating, lying and fraud Delphi developers don't normally hang-around on RentACoder.
Work Done?
Your reviewer sees a double-edge sword. As the Internet grows more and more prevalent, it means bad, lying and cheating Delphi developers will have less and less chance to take more victims, and also, Delphi developers to make a living.
For those unfortunate developers, it's time to switch careers, give it up, and maybe, start thinking about all those people they ripped-off.
The Kaman Saga
Your reviewer was looking at Kaman's RentACoder blog and wanted to ask Mr. Kaman:
a) Show me one good memory checker that shows OLE memory leaks.
b) Show me one good project Kaman did.
Quotable Quotes
Conversation with a cheat -CheatingDelphiDeveloper: I want 20% or US$1,000 of the project before I start work.
DelphiHater: Why don't we do it on RentACoder?
CheatingDelphiDeveloper: I don't do my business on RentACoder.
DelphiHater: Why?
CheatingDelphiDeveloper: If I lose arbitration, I lose the money
DelphiHater: But that's my money, and I need some guarantee for money back.
CheatingDelphiDeveloper: F*****
DelphiHater: I'm being professional to you (CheatDelphiDeveloper). If you cannot guarantee quality of your work and integrity of your work, I can find another Delphi developer to do my work. By the way, if you think your 40 poorly designed forms is worth US$5,000 you can dream-on.
Conversation with a fraud -
FraudDelphiDeveloper: I prefer we do our business off-site and off RentACoder.
DelphiHater: I do my business over RentACoder, is there something wrong?
FraudDelphiDeveloper: The business plan you provided requires US$2,500 in costs before I start work (or move my butt around). Either you can give the money or we part ways.
DelphiHater: Please leave. I have no business for you.
Plagiarism
PlagarismDelphiExpert: I present to you my finished product, (product).
DelphiHater: What's this watermark or notices from (software) software?
PlagarismDelphiExpert: Don't worry about it. It's nothing much
DelphiHater: (Click button to go into arbitration)
End result: PlagarismDelphiExpert lost arbitration, gets kicked out of site after insulting one of the arbitrators.
LazyDelphiExpert
LazyDelphiExpert: I will take 1 month, with so-and-so deliverable.
DelphiHater: I've placed money in Escrow.
(One month and 2 weeks pass)
DelphiHater: Hello? Anybody in?
DelphiHater: (Click button to go into arbitration)
End result: LazyDelphiExpert lost arbitration, gets kicked out of site after losing too many arbitration (more like 10)
AliasDelphiUser
AliasDelphiUser: I will take 3 weeks, with so-and-so deliverable.
DelphiHater: I've placed money in Escrow.
(2 weeks pass)
Project automatically goes into arbitration -
End result: AliasDelphiUser lost arbitration, gets kicked out of site for creating duplicate accounts.
Experiences
I would say opposite of Kaman's review of RentACoder and they do protect both buyers and sellers. Once your reviewer got busy and forgot about RentACoder and got into arbitration, but paid-up on-time to prevent default.
Most Delphi developers complain there are no jobs. The reality seems to be, they (or their friends) sucked-up all the money and left the owners (of companies, investors) high-and-dry.
Just think for yourself. For C/C++/C#, you require some level of formal training. If you don't have the skills, the first week, you get kicked out (that's why most Delphi developers have problems adjusting to C/C++). The next week, assuming you survive the first week, your own skill-set and quality matter. That means only qualified, professional C/C++ developers need apply.
It's different with Delphi
Delphi is different case. You can almost bullshit your way to a finished working product. You can rip-off DevExpress, Raize, and TMS components to build a frankenstien application. The usual end-result is a poorly crafted application with shoddy and slipshod work.
When all the money is spend, and no money is earned, then the whole business collapse, these Delphi developers gets laid-off, looking to rip-off the next business.
Why does this happen:
1) the dot-com of 2000, 2005. Most developers were supposedly valuing themselves 80k, 100k, 120k, but... it seems their work is maybe worth US$1k. or maybe a pile of garbage without any quality control and testing.
2) Most developers lack formal training (what training?), lack even basic bachelor's degree in computer science.
3) The collect money and then suck the client high and dry tactic. Then claim bankruptcy and chapter 11, and then investors get pennies off every dollar. This was popular until GW Bush came changes laws so it would be harder to shake-off debt. Before this, you could get only US$1 out of every US$1000. Suppose someone borrows US$1,000,000 and then pays back only US$1,000 in the bankruptcy court. This is how many corporations supposedly went bankrupt and investors got peanuts. After the GW Bush ruling, it became so hard to shake-off debt, it could be one of the reasons for this sub-prime mortgage mess.
Best example: Delphi developer borrows US$500,000 under a corporation, then cites distress and files bankruptcy. Since it's a dot-com, the bank only could possibly recover US$20,000. With the new bankruptcy law, the bank and other investors files counter-claims and recovers US$450,000 instead.
Personally, I think this is one of the best laws G.W. Bush signed when he was president. Since this law was signed, most business people are more conservative in hiring and spending (and more liberal in laying-off, firing and pointing blame). This affects people who are deemed unprofitable and unnecessary.
Sloppy Delphi Developers need not apply.
Since RentACoder operates in USA, they are subject to USA law, so you do not need to go down to China or India. That means you save costs on China operations, only paying what is needed, not more additional not needed things, such as rent, gifts or that casual bribe to make sure everything work. That also means, things are written down and for those not familiar with Chinese or Hindi, you'll be surprised most Chinese and Indians speak English well. (otherwise, how did they find out about RentACoder?).You can enforce basic rules, such as quality assurance, which they seems to be infamous for. This leads to threats of quitting, or increase in salaries, or some kind of unnecessary additional costs. Instead of indirect threats, you can get a RentACoder arbitrator to see your claims and requests and then, if the project fails, you can move the project to next person without fuss. Some may say, that's no way how to treat an owner or investor - but if you see on other side, owners pay good money for good work, not the other way around. Notably, in India, when things get bad, it's always a case of sour grapes and loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars. With RentACoder, you can outsource your project to many people, so losses are limited.
Corruption not here
The most interesting aspect of RentACoder is direct pricing and proof of work. If you went to, say, China, you'll find 2 quotes - one for mainlanders and one for foreigners. The mainlanders pay 10% of costs, the foreigners pay 400% and get ripped off. Since there are no protections (or few) for foreigners, that leads to rising costs or some kind of delays or more and more delays. The end result feels like the kind of goods that are shipped from China. With RentACoder, since there are many people bidding for your job, you can award it to the lowest price and acceptable quality.
For example, Indians pay other Indians Rupees 4,000 (US$80) a month. But they charge Foreigners R120,000 (US$2,600) a month for hiring. That's why you see this ridiculous pricing all over the place and how they can afford to go so cheap. It's same also for China developers. They charge Yuan 20,000 (US$3,000) a month for foreigners, but their own mainlanders, they charge Yuan 300 (US$80) a month. That's why you see this very odd news about China supposedly raising minimum wages or that odd Indian developer complaining about low wages.
For benefit of doubt, check the local newspapers, such as Akila Daily, Sandesh (Gujarat region in India), Kerala Kaumudi (in Kerala, India), Sina jobs to name a few.
Prompt work
With your own development team, there is this sticky issue about prompt work, or getting things done at a certain date, time. It's always deadlines slipping to next month, to next month, maybe you should go on vacation for 2 years and come back it's still not complete. With RentACoder, if this happens, bring the project to arbitration and get a full refund, or parts of it. In most cases, the person normally loses whole project (which is a good thing, since cheat and lying causes them to lose the arbitration).
Cheat, Lying and Fraud Prevention
Your reviewer, using RentACoder, won nearly every dispute there is. It was simple:
a) Get everything down in writing. Since most developers are "deaf" on ICQ/MSN/Skype, it helps to get everything in writing.
b) Get end results clear and explained. Even simple things get so screwed-up.
c) Explain in detail how work should be done.
No Third Party and GPL Trash
The no-third-party and no GPL codes means that they have to do work, instead of giving you a 1/2 baked 3rd party component, or some GPL codes re-made for you. Since everything is in writing, that means, less chances for the person to cheat you out, or change subjects or simply take your money and do nothing. It's amazing how some people claim they are so religious, so pious and do such things.
No Plagiarism
Since RentACoder enforces people to use their own works, that means less likely for someone to "bait and switch" and you require massive amounts of money to buy 101 (or maybe 1001) components and poor quality plumbing codes (like toilet paper).
Newsgroup Attacks
Since everything is in writing and there is proof, the chances of newsgroup insults and attacks is much less. It's amazing how childish some developers are, after a relationship soured.
Amazing Advanced Fees
The amazing thing about Delphi developers is this advanced-fee mentality. Like you need to pay 20% upfront and then get 0% results. Or like you need to pay 40% and get 0 % results. With RentACoder, that's a thing of the past. With RentACoder's escrow, they only get paid when they do 100% of the works, and to your satisfaction. That means the cheating, lying and fraud Delphi developers don't normally hang-around on RentACoder.
Work Done?
Your reviewer sees a double-edge sword. As the Internet grows more and more prevalent, it means bad, lying and cheating Delphi developers will have less and less chance to take more victims, and also, Delphi developers to make a living.
For those unfortunate developers, it's time to switch careers, give it up, and maybe, start thinking about all those people they ripped-off.
The Kaman Saga
Your reviewer was looking at Kaman's RentACoder blog and wanted to ask Mr. Kaman:
a) Show me one good memory checker that shows OLE memory leaks.
b) Show me one good project Kaman did.
Quotable Quotes
Conversation with a cheat -CheatingDelphiDeveloper: I want 20% or US$1,000 of the project before I start work.
DelphiHater: Why don't we do it on RentACoder?
CheatingDelphiDeveloper: I don't do my business on RentACoder.
DelphiHater: Why?
CheatingDelphiDeveloper: If I lose arbitration, I lose the money
DelphiHater: But that's my money, and I need some guarantee for money back.
CheatingDelphiDeveloper: F*****
DelphiHater: I'm being professional to you (CheatDelphiDeveloper). If you cannot guarantee quality of your work and integrity of your work, I can find another Delphi developer to do my work. By the way, if you think your 40 poorly designed forms is worth US$5,000 you can dream-on.
Conversation with a fraud -
FraudDelphiDeveloper: I prefer we do our business off-site and off RentACoder.
DelphiHater: I do my business over RentACoder, is there something wrong?
FraudDelphiDeveloper: The business plan you provided requires US$2,500 in costs before I start work (or move my butt around). Either you can give the money or we part ways.
DelphiHater: Please leave. I have no business for you.
Circa 1998 - before RentACoder
ThiefDelphiExpert: I'm an expert Delphi developer and you can pay me US$4,000 a month to do my works.
DelphiHater: I've wired over US$4,000 for this months work.
(4 weeks later)
ThiefDelphiExpert: I'm almost done, but I need another US$4,000 for next month's work.
DelphiHater: I've wired over US$4,000 for this months work.
(4 weeks later)
ThiefDelphiExpert: I'm almost done, but I need another US$4,000 for next month's work.
DelphiHater: I've wired over US$4,000 for this months work.
(4 weeks later)
After 3 months - no results, that Delphi developer walked away with over US$12,000 and no work done. (Maybe DelphiLover overnight became DelphiHater.)
Plagiarism
PlagarismDelphiExpert: I present to you my finished product, (product).
DelphiHater: What's this watermark or notices from (software) software?
PlagarismDelphiExpert: Don't worry about it. It's nothing much
DelphiHater: (Click button to go into arbitration)
End result: PlagarismDelphiExpert lost arbitration, gets kicked out of site after insulting one of the arbitrators.
LazyDelphiExpert
LazyDelphiExpert: I will take 1 month, with so-and-so deliverable.
DelphiHater: I've placed money in Escrow.
(One month and 2 weeks pass)
DelphiHater: Hello? Anybody in?
DelphiHater: (Click button to go into arbitration)
End result: LazyDelphiExpert lost arbitration, gets kicked out of site after losing too many arbitration (more like 10)
AliasDelphiUser
AliasDelphiUser: I will take 3 weeks, with so-and-so deliverable.
DelphiHater: I've placed money in Escrow.
(2 weeks pass)
Project automatically goes into arbitration -
End result: AliasDelphiUser lost arbitration, gets kicked out of site for creating duplicate accounts.
Experiences
I would say opposite of Kaman's review of RentACoder and they do protect both buyers and sellers. Once your reviewer got busy and forgot about RentACoder and got into arbitration, but paid-up on-time to prevent default.
2 comments:
"lack even basic bachelor's degree in computer science"
lol, I know many people with degrees, and most of them dont know basic things to adapt to the real world challenge since they spent many years studying crappy stuff, check the discussion at stackoverflow: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/326159/best-reason-not-to-hire-a-phd
It seems to me that RentACoder serves its purpose pretty well. It truly is an international labor market for freelancers to use to find work. The fees are kept pretty darn low, especially in comparison to their peers, and the arbitration system seems pretty fair.
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