The need for ample 240V power, a comfortable place to work, and easy Internet access sent us back to Wollar. Well, that and Eileen's home baked cookies!
We did some follow up work with a few previous customers there, and even found some new ones. But, our main purpose was putting together a web site product.
First up, you need a web site for the customer.
The quickest way to identify the content required, a quick surf of the competition's sites.
And then throw together a web site.
Easy.
Since I don't want to become a webmaster (I have enough sites of my own!), the customer needs to be able to maintain it.
Ok, well that means they need enough freeware/shareware to accomplish all the tasks.
And they'll need a comprehensive set of instructions.
It doesn't take long, and it's grown to the point where we need to package it on a CD.
With Bush PC logos all over it, naturally.
And if you're going to do that, it needs an autorun, and a web interface.
Now that's more of a challenge.
If that's not enough, you have to take a web novice and turn them into a web master.
It might even include signing them up for Internet access.
And if you're going to make a profit, you have to do all that in a day or two.
Maybe it would be easier just to become a webmaster again..... :-)
Anyway, we even managed to do some preliminary testing on an existing customer in Wollar (thanks Scott).
One thing that has been driving me nuts is all the paperwork involved in this business. The obvious solution? Knock up a quick customer database. Luckily, we have a hot-shot database programmer on staff. The new app is a rough job, but it has lessened the paperwork dramatically.
Dell and Axxis couldn't get it together to visit us again in Coolah, but they did catch up with us in Wollar.
They have had a third bash at the laptop, and (cross fingers) it has been functioning pretty well for two weeks now.
We still suffer from the occasional Win Me crash, and there is a serious incompatibility between the new database and the IR port.
This means we must launch the customer database before we turn on the printer (to print the invoice).
If that's the worst I have to deal with, I guess I can handle it.
It wasn't all work. Eileen's was also a good place for a big 4 0 party. Bob & Margaret drove up to Mudgee to help us celebrate, sampled a few wines, spent a night in Mudgee, and even popped out to Eileen's for a quick visit. The whole time they were with us, Margaret kept handing out birthday presents, as is her want. We won't have to buy any chocolate for a long time. The extra winter woollies will come in handy too. Three of Eileen's four boys came up to the farm to say a birthday hello over dinner too.
So, we had a nice, if busy, stay in Wollar....
We called a couple of customers to let them know we were returning.
On the way up, the local school called on the mobile and asked Helen to do another day's teaching.
When we arrived at the caravan park, there was a customer waiting there for us.
Word spreads quickly in small towns.
The web site customer liked what we provided, and we did a couple of other odd jobs around the place.