Colin,
I left programming in 1995 after twenty-eight years in the 
industry.  If I were asked to do it, I suspect I could still write 
decent COBOL code.  However, no one has asked me!
Two of our grown kids are in the software industry, both with 
extremely well paying, demanding jobs.  The things they sometimes 
discuss when they are by to visit are so alien to me!!  So I guess 
I'll not be making a reappearance in the mainframe arena any time soon!
Pat, K9JAUAt 03:30 PM 11/5/2013, you wrote:
>Eric:
>I am curious, does 30 years experience in the computer field mean much these
>days?
>30 years experience in anything is worth allot don't get me wrong, but
>methinks that with the vast changes in computer technology in the last
>decade, does the previous two decades of experience really help when it
>comes to the intimate knowledge of the technology you are working with?
>There must be some commonalities across the field from 30 years ago until
>now, but so much has changed in the field.
>Or, perhaps, it's more a matter of same crap different pile when it comes to
>software and hardware...basically doing the same things, just faster,
>smaller and more efficient than it was 30 years ago?
>A CPU is still a CPU, it's just more powerful, faster and a fraction of the
>size.  I suspect the same is true with software...there were the same sorts
>of needs 30 years ago as now, the software has just become more integral in
>the operations.
>73
>Colin, V A6KX
>--------------------------------------------------
>From: "eric oyen" <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 1:37 PM
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Wages for Blind Employees
>
> > I agree. Go for the highest you can conceivably get. Braille readers are =
> > rare these days, and the demand is higher, so you can easily get a =
> > higher wage for that skill. Combine that with computer skills and you =
> > have a 1 - 2 punch.
> >
> > As a computer specialist myself, I have been able to earn upwards of $65 =
> > an hour (privately). considering the almost 30 years of "in the field" =
> > experience I bring to the table, I would expect no less from an employer =
> > Even at 48 years old, I still have the ability to learn new tasks at =
> > nearly the same rate as a 20 year old. THis I see as an advantage that =
> > no employer should do without. If they don't hire me, then they are =
> > losing out (and costing themselves more money by having to train someone =
> > new to the job).
> >
> > Anyway, thats my 2 cents worth.
> >
> > -eric
> >
> > On Nov 5, 2013, at 12:15 PM, Colin McDonald wrote:
> >
> >> that is pretty ambiguous.
> >> is it a not for proffit organization?  if so, then monitary =
> > reimbursment=20
> >> will be low.
> >> If you are working as a contracter, or consultant, then you can charge =
> > what=20
> >> anyone in that field would charge probably $30 an hour for your skill =
> > set.
> >> Likely a not for proffit, so your more than probably looking at =
> > minimum=20
> >> wage, or slightly higher due to their low operating budget.
> >> It has nothing to do with being blind, forget about being blind.  Ask =
> > for=20
> >> what you think your computer skills, and proof reading skills, and =
> > braille=20
> >> reading skills are worth to an employer.
> >> These are pretty specific skill sets that are not easy to find for an=20=
> >
> >> employer.
> >> Don't low ball because some employers will think you don't value your =
> > skills=20
> >> and abilities and are therefore less compitent.  Always shoot high =
> > because=20
> >> that gives the employer room to negociate and it insures you will get =
> > what=20
> >> you can from them as far as pay.
> >> They will have a range in mind.  What they will offer you will be =
> > based on=20
> >> experience, knowledge skills and abilities and your ability to perform =
> > the=20
> >> tasks and duties required in the job.
> >> If you feel confident that you can perform the tasks and duties fully =
> > and=20
> >> with your braille reading experience and computer experience, you =
> > should=20
> >> probably be at the top of that range.
> >> People that do similar jobs around here make between 22 and 28 bucks =
> > an hour=20
> >> working for an organization.  As a private consulant or contracter, 30 =
> > an=20
> >> hour is the minimum starting point and typically goes up from there=20
> >> depending on the complexity of the work and other factors.
> >> That might sound high, but if you think about it, when you hire or =
> > employ a=20
> >> person with very specific skill sets, you have to pay for those skills =
> > more=20
> >> so than someone who has general skills or common skills.  When you =
> > have a=20
> >> plummer come in to fix your dripping tap, does he charge 10 bucks an =
> > hour, I=20
> >> don't think so.  Does he charge 50, more likely more than that =
> > even...and it=20
> >> is accepted by most people because of the specialized knowledge and =
> > skill=20
> >> set he brings.
> >> Reading braille, using braille translation software and other adaptive =
> > tech=20
> >> is a pretty specific skill set that you bring to the table.  Make sure =
> > you=20
> >> value that and get appropriately compensated for it.
> >>=20
> >> Regards
> >> Colin
> >> --------------------------------------------------
> >> From: "Mark WZ0K" <[log in to unmask]>
> >> Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 11:56 AM
> >> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >> Subject: Wages for Blind Employees
> >>=20
> >>> Hi
> >>>   I am just wondering, since I am going in for an interview soon, =
> > what =3D
> >>> types of wages can I expect? The organization translates phone bills =
> > and =3D
> >>> other documents in to brail for blind people. They are looking mainly =
> > =3D
> >>> for a proof reader, as well as, someone with computer skills. I am =3D
> >>> excited about this opportunity, but it is hard to know what they =
> > might =3D
> >>> offer in monitory reimbursement.
> >>>   Any information, or insights are appreciated.=3D20
> >>>=20
> >>> God bless,
> >>> Mark=20