Hello from Staatsburg! We need to meet for lunch sometime. (Sorry if this is a duplicate message. The message program didn't seem to be working.)

Having to stop a timing system everytime something distracts you and remember to restart it when you come back can be, well, distracting.

I've tried this with a couple of timing systems I've found on the Internet. Look on ZDNet's downloadable programs and you'll find dozens if you want to try it yourself. Some are free, others a few bucks.

The most logical option, if you have no choice but to go the hourly route, is to guess-timate how much time you've spent. And depending on your conscience be conservative.

Here's two solid reasons why not all businesses should charge an hourly rate. Creative services (copywriting, Web design, graphic design, etc.) don't always fit into an hourly theme.

A) I do some of my best thinking when I'm doing something else. Mowing the lawn, doing the dishes, even taking a shower. How do I determine how much time was spent on the project this way? Not very effective.

B) Sticker shock. Let's say someone is slower than the average bear while creating the finished product. This product may be the same if not better than what a faster person produces. Should they charge less per hour than the faster person? Or should the faster person charge more per hour to make up for the fact they are fast at what they do?

If the slower person charges less per hour they will be seen as not providing the right value. If the faster person charges more per hour the client may feel the faster creative is over-priced. And believe me, trying to explain your reasons to the client won't help.

There's just one problem. My handwriting was always atrocious. I switched back to print as opposed to script in high school as soon as the teachers didn't care anymore. And what's worse, the more I type, the less I use my hand muscles, the worse it gets.

Susan - No hotspots necessary. I use a USB broadband datacard through Sprint.

At the moment I don't live on my cell phone. I prefer the flexibility the tablet pc offers me. I can moniter email and messages and still get the occasional phone call via my simple cell phone. I'm actually a little backward and I'm looking to go back to a stick phone. There just isn't good enough reception (lots of dropped calls too) where I live, yet ironically, the datacard reception is excellent. Maybe they work on different datastreams through the cell towers?

I can see where a fast-loading directory of mobi mini-sites featuring businesses and services specific to your region would be useful for someone who uses a cell phone as their connection though.

I may possibly get more use out of Skype on the tablet pc, not sure yet.

No. Ridiculous trying to look at a 2 inch square screen. I have a Samsung Tablet pc with a 7 inch screen with a broadband datacard that I surf the net and keep up with emails when I'm away from home. It also doubles as my digital magazine reader.

And yes, as a copywriter, who usually works on a project basis, I've stopped quoting an hourly rate. It's not a fair assessment of how I work and what I do.

Actually, if you're not charging an adequate rate your company won't be taken seriously and you won't win the project anyway. Or if they do take you up on your low ball offer the client will treat you with little respect. Introductory rates may be effective as long as you make it perfectly clear that regular rates do apply afterward.