F.A.Q.
What is Whitemice Consulting?
Whitemice Consulting is my own consulting firm, comprised of just me. I offer installation and configuration assistance for Open Source collaboration solutions such as OpenGroupware, OpenFire (XMPP/Jabber instant messaging), and Cyrus IMAPd.
Who are you?
You can find out all about me at my personal website - Whitemice.Org
Do you do website development?
No, I do not do website development. But we will help in the installation of a secure Apache webserver or customizing your existing Apache instances. If you are looking for web developers I will gladly refer you to a few I feel are reliable.
Where are you located?
Grand Rapids, Mi. USA.
I can't afford or don't want to hire a consultant, but where can I find out more about these "Open Source" solutions?
- I'd recommend finding your LUG (Local Users Group), at a LUG meeting or on a LUG discussion list people will answer your questions about Open Source projects for free. Even if you aren't in the West Michigan area you are free to join the MOSG (Michigan Open Source Group) mailling list. But remember that user groups are not service organizations, they are communities - so in exchange for helping you, if you can help someone else by answering their question you are expected to do so. Don't be a mere consumer.
- Do NOT e-mail me directly with your question, I will not answer. If you want to ask me questions directly then you can pay for that privalege. I might answer your question if you join the MOSG (Michigan Open Source Group) "members" mailling list since doing so may assist many people besides just you (list threads are archived and searchable via sites such as Google).
What LINUX disributions do you use, support, or recommend?
I currently use and support openSUSE distribution. I am evaluating CentOS and at some point may support that distribution as well. We do not support or recommend Fedora or Debian based disributions. Fedora changes much too rapidly, and with too great of severity, to be a suitable server platform in a corporate environment. Debian is nearly the opposite; evolving much too slowly. Debian is also burdened with a very complicated release structure as well as permitting polotics too much sway as to what packages are included and how those packages are compiled.
What are your rates?
I charge $65 - $85 dollars an hour, and $0.35 a mile for travel to your facility if required. I also do negotiated predetermined fees for particular tasks, and of course I'd be happy to quote you an estimate of time if you can describe in detail what you are looking to accomplish.