gobezu

please don't hit me, but i am on

hp elitebook 8440p 8gb/1tb hybrid ssd, dual boot, ubuntu / win 10, bought it back in july 2010, runs great, with only disadvantage currently being the weight, around 2.5kg

i moved to ethiopia with this machine and i am happy i paid the premium price back then, just one time i cracked the screen and it was within the warranty period and had a universal coverage so i got it replaced, the local hp rep though while replacing the screen messed up the one corner near the function keys of my keyboard, so it is kinda buckled, but all works fine

once or twice a year i get visits from abroad and i test flashy new machines, and i just can't convince myself to get another one based on what i have seen this far, it seems only the aesthetics are what is progressing, the new one looks undoubtedly sexy, and very light weight

but within a year or so, i might have to retire my dear one.

I am myself an experienced Joomla! dev but have been using upwork to outsource various non-critical and none-core works in a very limited way over the past year or 2. The other month I needed a Joomla! expert to work with me on a larger project and looking closer and after some interview I understood there was none I could rely on for this critical project, so I abandoned the job post.

However, this gave me an idea that I should enlist myself as freelancer. Now that was easier said than done, I have been submitting all kinds of revisions of my freelancer profile and have been declined with the reason that they have too many freelancers with similar profile. I say bs, because I know my domain very well. I did all necessary tests including Joomla!, php, mysql, javascript, english ... all within the highest ranks. Anyway after many efforts and even request to support to review the seemingly automated reply I kept getting I stopped trying, and the support could only advice me on some generic aspects such as changing my profile photo to be more visible and such nonsense.

For me this was quite indicative of what is going on on this market, but I am not sure why they choose to dumb it down.

Thank you for raising this question, which I think is heartfelt one both as client and freelancer.

I have over 7 years website/application/hybrid mobile app development experience and would definitely be able to help you. In particular I have worked with PHP/MySQL/Joomla! Just send me some more details on your requirements and I will be able to propose to you... I can be reached at my hn username at gmail.com

its surprising no one mentions it but let me tell you where the rush is - africa

ofc you need to be able to muster the challenges that will come with it but the return is one that you can't match

investment in agriculture is really one to consider in countries such as ethiopia with huge arable land available to investors with fees that are practically negligible and you get a whole lot of incentives including 5 year tax break please look around just as the chineses, indians and arabs are doing and cash home instead of continuing the same simple minded real estate, start up, yadayada rubbish, which is as you really know either exhausted or close to fold

good luck

Joomla! is also a great CMS (Content Management System) with huge user base you could help to improve and is in constant development so you will definitely have a lot to contribute with there.

Have a look at http://people.joomla.org/groups/viewgroup/119-Joomla+UX.html and one of the group admins there will definitely help you to get on track.