In the end, money is the motivation why we all work. I earned good money at my last company, so why quit and go freelance? Cause I care about my work, and with freelancing you have a choice what and with whom you work for.

It wasn’t always easy, and I learned a lot. In fact, I am still learning so much every day. Fortunately, the mobile space is growing so crazy fast – most of the times I just have to say “no” to inquiries cause I’m already that overbooked. And being damn good at it supposedly helps, at least some customers argue. But to be really good at work, some factors need to be there:

Freedom to decide. Not every aspect, but its so tiresome if costumers think they know better, when in fact they simply don’t. Some freedom in features, design assures that you are able to care for the project. Let loose, give us some latitude.

Not too hard constraints on time. I don’t do apps that need to be finished “in two weeks from now”. When the most limiting factor is time, you pay big times afterwards, except maybe if it’s a trashy throwaway project. Especially with iOS, where the platform is iterating that fast, support is an issue and far more expensive if you have spagetti code.

Money. It’s a bad departure point if I feel undercharged to start with. I made that mistake a few times when I didn’t knew what I was worth. It’s generally difficult if you need to shoot a project price out of the blue. The better thing ™ is to be paid a daily rate. I tell my customers what I get per day, and how long I think it will take, with the best approximation I can do. They get my status reports and with techniques like Hockey (which I’m currently rewriting, but that’s another story) they can watch the progress.

If they suddenly want feature X instead if Y, i just tell them how much longer it will take. Those things happen, they did EVERY SINGLE TIME. With a fixed project budget you start arguing what’s included and what not, how much that would be extra, that you need a new contract – it’s a hassle. A daily rate solves this all. The greatest exercise is getting people to understand. Luckily I am in the position where a big company grasped this – it turned out great. (and I’m still doing stuff for them)

Please, if you have bitching customers, just send them a variation of this letter. If they don’t unterstand, move on.

Theme. I’m not interested in augmented reality. I don’t think it’s a good idea, i don’t use it, so I simply don’t write apps for it.  Sure i could write them, but why? Some projects are not paid that well – yet fascinating in some way, or need me to learn something new. Those are the ones I go for. You’re only getting shitty projects? Make one yourself! Damn it! It has NEVER been easier.

In fact, that’s my next big thing. I feel like iOS is my home now, it’s no challenge any more. I love writing apps and will continue thinking, designing, writing and publishing them. Part time.

My next “big thing” is already on the corner, with a new language (that keeps the Cocoa mindset), new challenges and a greate co-founder.  I’ll announce more soon.

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I rarely post about personal stuff here on the blog, it’s more a WIKI than anything else. But for the next two weeks I gonna use this a a travel blog, post my impressions and thoughts on WWDC 2010. My expectations are really, really high – everyone I’ve met told me that it’s gonna be awesome and you will learn a lot.

And the bummer: throughout WWDC, i’ll gonna use my HTC Legend (again thanks, A1!). Not because I like the phone (it’s slow and feels kinda crappy compared to amy iPhone) but it’s my only phone without a simlock… Let’s just hope I don’t loose my VIP rank on Apple – I’m really looking forward sitting in the first row on June 7′s keynote

iPhone development, with all that love for design and the capability to literally take your creations with you, is just great. I really do see me working on those for the next few years. And I really do love the way Apple designs products – but there’s a difference – you can love products but not always agree with certain company decision. So please, get over the “fanboy” phrase. I know people that are way more fanboy for other products than me (just thinking on certain Linux guys).

So – I’m in San Francisco beginning Thursday, 3rd till Thursday 17th. I’m looking forward in meeting interesting people from all over the world – if you’re around, drop me a line (here, or at @steipete on twitter)

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1. San Francisco, Insiders Guide Part 1

It is unwise to pay too much, but it is even worse to pay too little. If you pay too much, you lose some money, that is all. If you pay too little, however, you will sometimes lose everything, as the thing you bought cannot do the intended job.

The law of economy forbids to obtain something of high value for little money. If you accept the lowest bid, you must add something for the risk taken by you. And if you do so, you have enough money to pay for something of higher value.

John Ruskin (1819-1900)

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– Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_von_Hammerstein-Equord

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…es ist ganz einfach: Paul benutzt ein Handy, einen Computer und noch andere Errungenschaften der modernen Welt von heute. Dadurch hinterlässt er überall Spuren, die einiges über ihn aussagen…

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1. Grundeinkommen?

(guter fake)

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Weil es derzeit wichtigere Dinge gibt: jakeapp.com

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1. Klug & Faul =)
2. Raus aus dem T-Mobile/tele.ring Vertrag? Jetzt ist eure Chance!