>Being a professional means at least as much knowing what you -don't- know as knowing what you do. Knowledge is finite, unknowns may not be.

I agree.

>I'm sure there are real experts running small shops - I used to be one, and I buy from some. Most are smart enough to recognize that there is not enough margin in the mundane retail market to compensate them adequately for their talents. Two I deal with frequently, whose owners know and love the stuff they do, are MIND and PC Nut. I've known both Mark and Humphrey for years, respect their opinions, and realize that they spend as much time keeping current with their areas of expertise as I do in mine. If I get stuck, I know who to call who has more of a clue than I do, with the firm belief that they'll tell me when they don't know.

There is a guy in Kitchener, Ontario that I call when I am stuck. I go to several other sources before I go there. He is not adequately compensated for his work. Not by me or the majority of people. I do send people his way when it makes sense and I will send hardware his way that I really don't have a use for...like broken sound cards....in an attempt to pay him back. He'll salvage chips and whatever from cards...way beyond my knowledge. But I am really talking only about monetary compensation only; he must like what he is doing or he would change. Of course, I haven't seen his financial statements or his bank book. He might be making a fortune, or he might be rich and just doing what he likes...


>
>>BTW, rolling you own isn't a big deal. Anybody that can work a few basic tools and can read a manual and follow instructions will do fine. You know it and I know it. And anyone that's tried it know it.
>
>Getting it right is not. YMMV. I think my hardware foundations are good enough to still qualify me as a journeyman system integrator; I pick and choose components carefully, and don't just slap my stuff together and pray. The vast majority of small shops do not have the talent on staff, and do not stay current enough in their fields, to be seen as master artisans. The few that I know are the ones I call when I get stuck. Not J Random TechServiceSlob, CNE from Computer du Jour Boutique and Lighting Fixtures, Inc.

I agree in a way. I am talking about once you get the components. After that, not a big deal...

Take care,
Joe