Software Developers - Where Are You???

[stho1978]

I'm looking into getting some software developed and want to find someone - ideally an individual rather than a large company- who is local (Nottingham) to do it. However, I just cannot seem to find one. I know there's threads on here about sorting the wheat from the chaff, but I can't find either at the minute!

I won't go into details of what the software is, as all I really need at the moment is help on finding any software developers in my area.

 

[antropy]

Why would you limit your search to a very small geographical area which probably doesn't contain a very high density of developers anyway?

You may think you will need lots of meetings, but you don't, and also your developer won't have time to spend in meetings when they need to be coding.

So you need to open up your search to a wider area. Also you need to specify what software you want written, no one is going to steal your idea. You need a developer who specialises in whatever it is you want to build, so unless you make that clear we will assume it doesn't apply to us.

 

[stho1978]

That's the thing - initially I contacted several developers throughout the UK and had two interested in the idea. However, they both wanted to meet up with me to discuss further - one was in London and the other Bristol (I think). I'm ok with travelling, but reliant on public transport, which is fine if the idea takes off, but before committing to this I wanted to see if there was anyone local and the local search has provided very few results. So it's more of a question of "why can't I find anyone local" rather than needing to find someone local. Again, I'm not actually asking for recommendations - although if someone knows of anyone then that's great - it's more of a query on the best way to find software developers in your local area.

I've not gone into details because I'm not actually asking if anyone on here can do it, but I see your point. Basically:

I need someone to design a software package that can be sent as a downloadable program that sets up several (depending on the person’s hardware) Virtual Machines or acts like a virtual machine. I understand how to set up VM's, but I'm trying to create something that does it pretty much automatically. So, the first question is this possible? If not a VM, then something that will sit within the person's actual system but work separately from it (note - the persons real system will still need to run and be usable at the same time as the VM system(s) as well). It'll also need to be totally secure (EG Inprivate browsing), deletes cookies, stops tracking cookies, blocks reputation management software (Example: IESnare / stops a third party taking a fingerprint of your computer ) but still appears like a normal computer from the website you're visiting point of view.

There's a few other things that I need to know and I can give details of those, and more info on the above including what I'm using it for. However, firstly I want to check to see if the basics of what I want are possible and it is something you can carry out.

 

[antropy]

Thanks for the reply.

That's the thing - initially I contacted several developers throughout the UK and had two interested in the idea. However, they both wanted to meet up with me to discuss further - one was in London and the other Bristol (I think). I'm ok with travelling, but reliant on public transport, which is fine if the idea takes off, but before committing to this I wanted to see if there was anyone local and the local search has provided very few results. So it's more of a question of "why can't I find anyone local" rather than needing to find someone local. Again, I'm not actually asking for recommendations - although if someone knows of anyone then that's great - it's more of a query on the best way to find software developers in your local area.

That's strange because I've worked with a lot of developers over the years and very few would insist on a physical meeting rather than Skype etc. I think limiting yourself to a small area doesn't really make sense, it's best to look on a site like People Per Hour.

I need someone to design a software package that can be sent as a downloadable program that sets up several (depending on the person’s hardware) Virtual Machines or acts like a virtual machine. I understand how to set up VM's, but I'm trying to create something that does it pretty much automatically. So, the first question is this possible? If not a VM, then something that will sit within the person's actual system but work separately from it (note - the persons real system will still need to run and be usable at the same time as the VM system(s) as well). It'll also need to be totally secure (EG Inprivate browsing), deletes cookies, stops tracking cookies, blocks reputation management software (Example: IESnare / stops a third party taking a fingerprint of your computer ) but still appears like a normal computer from the website you're visiting point of view.

So you're basically just after a packaged up VirtualBox that has a virtual machine already loaded? Does it need to run on Mac/PC/Linux?

 

[stho1978]

That's strange because I've worked with a lot of developers over the years and very few would insist on a physical meeting rather than Skype etc. I think limiting yourself to a small area doesn't really make sense, it's best to look on a site like People Per Hour

That's what I was hoping too - telephone call at least rather than face to face. I've tried Freelancer, Bark and Bidvine also (waiting for the last two to get back to me). Might try People Per Hour.

So you're basically just after a packaged up VirtualBox that has a virtual machine already loaded? Does it need to run on Mac/PC/Linux?

Pretty much, although it doesn't have to be exactly like a VM (whatever's easiest really) as long as it acts like a VM. So it sits on top (or in it or over it or whatever the best way to describe it) of the person's OS but is isolated from the actual computer itself so there's no link if that makes sense. I know we have Inprivate browsing, but there's still a link to the actual machine. Initially to run on Linux (as it's free) but to be used on a Windows PC.

A lot of it I'd be willing to be lead by the developer, but in the first instance I want to know if what I'm asking for is possible.

 

[antropy]

Pretty much, although it doesn't have to be exactly like a VM (whatever's easiest really) as long as it acts like a VM. So it sits on top (or in it or over it or whatever the best way to describe it) of the person's OS but is isolated from the actual computer itself so there's no link if that makes sense. I know we have Inprivate browsing, but there's still a link to the actual machine. Initially to run on Linux (as it's free) but to be used on a Windows PC.

So what is the end-goal? Is it to enable truly private secure browsing? In that case a VPN probably already does what you want:
http://www.cyberghostvpn.com/en_gb

A lot of it I'd be willing to be lead by the developer, but in the first instance I want to know if what I'm asking for is possible.

Are you hoping to pay the developer or are you planning on giving them a share?

 

[stho1978]

Most likely pay (or bit of both - pay for the initial design but any updates / changes mixture of both?) The reason why I'd consider paying for it upfront (depending on cost) is, although I may market it eventually, to begin with it'll be something I'll use.

 

[antropy]

I see, so you haven't mentioned the end-goal yet. Are you just after a way of private browsing like Tor?

 

[stho1978]

Basically, I'm a pro gambler (have been doing it for over three years now). Bookmakers are becoming more and more nosy in terms of our on line activity, so I'm looking for something that means they can't easily ID whoever's accessing their site (IP address is fine but other stuff they try and find out is not).

Now I must stress, there's certain things a bookmakers is entitled to know and check out - age of the person, address, anti fraud. That, I have no problem with and will send what ever documents they want. What I do have a problem with is the bookmaking industry using tracking cookies, taking a fingerprint of my computer, checking out what other betting sites I go on, who else is using my computer to log into their sites etc etc.

There's also the problem of if someone else wants to borrow my computer (legitimately) to also place a bet. If a bookmaker sees two people using the same computer (via tracking cookies or what ever other info they've got from me) they kick up a right fuss.

Finally, if I want to run several different things at once on my computer in respect of placing bets or using an online casino I'd like them to be separate from each other and no way linked (like running several instances of a VM depending on the computers capabilities).

I'll reiterate, that I do not have a problem with a bookmaker checking out that I am a legitimate customer and complying with anti fraud legislation, but the only organisations that should be able to do what the bookmakers seem to do is the security services not the bookmakers.

 

[antropy]

I see, always good to know exactly why you want to do that.

So why not use my suggestions above? A VPN, Tor, or virtual machines?

 

[stho1978]

VPN's - used them in the past. Although they give a new IP, they don't give the protection I'm after. Plus bookies become wise to VPN's and have started to blacklist some of the IP addresses. I use mobile data at the minute if need a new IP address. As for Tor or VM, well I'd like to see if something can be designed and downloaded rather than someone setting it up themselves. And I may want to eventually try and market it - if it works.

 

[antropy]

So it sounds like all you need is a browser that has an "incognito mode" that hides a lot more stuff than the Chrome one?

What you need to do is write out your exact technical goals very clearly, for example you said "(IP address is fine but other stuff they try and find out is not)" - what other stuff exactly do you want to hide?

 

[stho1978]

Anything that can ID the physical computer or store tracking cookies, flash cookies. IP address is taken care of by means of wither VPN or mobile data. Even if I use my day to day IP I'm not to bothered as long as bookmakers can't link or track anything else to the actual computer.

As to what they can and can't track and store on a computer is something I don't know so I'd have to get an idea from the software expert.

The technical goals I suppose are: works like a VM, stops the machine being ID'd, deletes all tracking cookies when the VM is closed and stops any reputation manager cookies from communicating with their hosts site. So each version (if it's possible to run several instances) you run on your computer is like a brand new computer, separate from each other and the main computer.

 

[antropy]

And what makes you think Chrome's incognito mode doesn't provide all of that?

And if it doesn't, what about:
http://www.techworld.com/security/best-8-secure-browsers-3246550/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/2-anonymous-web-browsers-completely-private-secure/
http://www.computerworlduk.com/galleries/applications/best-browsers-for-privacy-3628363/

 

[stho1978]

From what I've found out in the past I'm pretty convinced that no browser does what I want (this is what I need to talk to a software developer about though firstly). Plus, what I'd like is to run several different VM's (or like a VM) at a time on one computer. But without having to set up a VM EG it's already pre set up via the software and you just run it.

 

[stho1978]

The closest I've got is Firefox in incognito mode with better privacy and ghostery attached running. And even then I've still had to mod the host file of the laptop because websites have managed to put Reputation Management trackers on it
.

 

[antropy]

From what I've found out in the past I'm pretty convinced that no browser does what I want (this is what I need to talk to a software developer about though firstly).

You need to back up this claim because a developer won't know where to look.

As far as I know, any of those browsers listed will do what you want. Also you can open a new instance of them and each instance is separate.

 

[stho1978]

True, but I can back it up by the fact that they have managed to download IE Snare even though I have used a secure browser. There's even several examples on other forums of this. I really don't think the browsers will do what I want though - but again I'd need to discuss this with a software developer and sit down (skype / phone) with them and explain what I'm looking for. Besdies, this is drifting away from my original query of where to find software developers.

On a separate topic, I see you're an expert on eCommerce. I've downloaded your ebook and look forward to reading it.,

 

[antropy]

True, but I can back it up by the fact that they have managed to download IE Snare even though I have used a secure browser.

Interesting, I found more about that here:
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/iesnare-how-bookmakers-are-spying-on-you-from-your-own-computer/
I'm pretty sure there are browsers that wouldn't allow something like that.

I really don't think the browsers will do what I want though - but again I'd need to discuss this with a software developer and sit down (skype / phone) with them and explain what I'm looking for.

That's why I'm trying to find out *exactly* what you want and why because that could lead to a better solution.

Besdies, this is drifting away from my original query of where to find software developers.

Well firstly, you're talking to one as you'll find out in the intro to my eBook
But secondly it's important to understand exactly what you want because if I know that I might be able to direct you to the right developer or the right place to look at least.

So we're not really drifting off topic, I'm trying to find out exactly what sort of software development you need (if any) so I can best help you.

 

[stho1978]

The more I think about it and the more I discuss it with people (like yourself) the more I realise I'm probably flogging a dead horse.

Setting up a VM is too straight forward in someways to warrant having a separate one click program that does it all and adds a further layer of protection.

Thanks for the help though and I look forward to the eCommerce info on the free ebook.

 

[antropy]

The more I think about it and the more I discuss it with people (like yourself) the more I realise I'm probably flogging a dead horse.

Possibly, because it does seem there are ways to do what you want, but it might be possible to package that up in a way that can be sold.

Thanks for the help though and I look forward to the eCommerce info on the free ebook.

No worries, I hope it's useful.

 

[Deleted member 281732]

Hi. I think the software you're trying to invent is called Vagrant.

 

[Alan]

or containerise using docker

 

[ldjames]

If you're still looking, we're a small team based in Lancaster (with a lot of clients in the midlands). We're well qualified but also flexible and reasonably priced. Happy to arrange a quick call if you like?

About us: https://www.loadingdeck.com/about-us/
Examples of our work: https://www.loadingdeck.com/portfolio/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01524 888378