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The Beginning - April First Wasted Month - May Second Wasted Month - June Third Month Of Nothing - July |
Arman Atienza A programmer NOT to be trusted |
Testimonials from Arman's Clients |
| << First wasted month - May | Third month of nothing - July >> |
| Jun 1, 2009 | At 9:44 AM I sent an email to Armando listing
things that needed doing. At 3:36 PM, having had no response (presumably Armando was working nights again, for his other overseas client), I asked Armando for an update because I could see he was logged into Yahoo Messenger: Stefan (6/1/2009 3:36:33 PM): Hello Arman Stefan (6/1/2009 3:36:41 PM): Please update me when you can Stefan (6/1/2009 3:36:42 PM): Thanks No response. |
| Jun 2, 2009 | At 10:38 AM Armando contacted me on Yahoo
Messenger. The conversation went like this: Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:38:49 AM): hi Stefan Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:38:52 AM): good morning Stefan (6/2/2009 10:38:59 AM): Hi Stefan (6/2/2009 10:39:07 AM): Did you get my email? Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:39:25 AM): yes i got it Stefan (6/2/2009 10:39:31 AM): Any comments? Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:41:05 AM): okay right now im trying to analyze how we can solve [one issue] Stefan (6/2/2009 10:41:28 AM): Any progress yesterday? Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:42:18 AM): yesterday i went over the operator's side using [the new site] and database Stefan (6/2/2009 10:42:32 AM): OK Stefan (6/2/2009 10:42:39 AM): Any comments? Questions? Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:42:41 AM): do you have headset right now Stefan (6/2/2009 10:42:51 AM): I bought one, but not installed yet Stefan (6/2/2009 10:42:58 AM): Do we have much to discuss? Stefan (6/2/2009 10:44:15 AM): Arman, you are not answering my questions! Stefan (6/2/2009 10:44:32 AM): Please, do you have any comments or questions based on what you did yesterday? Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:44:53 AM): wait a min Stefan Stefan (6/2/2009 10:46:24 AM): Arman, I do have to ask: Are you working on [the new site] in a committed manner, or not? Stefan (6/2/2009 10:46:32 AM): Your responses are very slow... or "wait a minute" Stefan (6/2/2009 10:46:50 AM): Yesterday you worked all day (?) and no questions, comments, update or response to my email. Stefan (6/2/2009 10:47:22 AM): You know, if my employer had caught me lying for a month, I would be working JOLLY HARD to polish up my reputation and keep my job! Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:47:56 AM): i went over the work flow as you said let me play with [the new site] Stefan (6/2/2009 10:48:07 AM): Still not answering my questions Stefan (6/2/2009 10:48:11 AM): See above please Stefan (6/2/2009 10:48:50 AM): You looked at my work for a whole day yesterday, and no question, not one? No comment? No update? No proposals? Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:49:23 AM): nope its not that i have no question im preparing all my questions based on what i have studied on [the new site] At this point I should comment that not once, during the entire 2 months and 3 weeks, did Armando Atienza ask me unprompted questions about the system. Had he actually been working on the system, he would have had several questions every day and we would have been in very regular communication via Yahoo IM, email and cell phone text messages. No such thing ever happened. Stefan (6/2/2009 10:49:38 AM): Arman, like I said, if I was caught lying for a month, I would be working JOLLY HARD to fix things. For one thing, I would have worked all weekend... Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:50:36 AM): yes i know what you're trying to point out Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:50:39 AM): okay Stefan (6/2/2009 10:52:14 AM): After one week, all I still see is some jpg graphics (nice ones), and forms and links that do nothing. No plan, no suggestions, no php, no functionality. Stefan (6/2/2009 10:52:38 AM): Arman, we MUST move fatser than this. It seems to me that you are distracted, and/or still working on another job. Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:52:48 AM): Stefan we're both looking for the best concept we can offer using our [new] site Stefan (6/2/2009 10:53:01 AM): Yes, and...? Stefan (6/2/2009 10:53:27 AM): We have agreed that the graphics are nice. We both understand the concept. I outlined the steps that I thought we should take. Stefan (6/2/2009 10:53:37 AM): And what I get back is... silence... Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:53:52 AM): and im still trying to conceptualize new ideas that are not the same with [another site] now Ah yes, he's "conceptualizing". Just like he has been doing since May 27th without results. Armando tells so many lies that sometimes he gets tangled in his own web. Here, unbelievably, he tells me that he has created the "design, layout and flow" of the web site. Four (4) minutes later he admits that he has done no such thing. Stefan (6/2/2009 10:54:18 AM): Arman, we don't need new ideas... we have the ideas that we need in order to get started. Stefan (6/2/2009 10:54:41 AM): Sure, when we are working on the project, we will have good ideas. But we can't sit here another 5 weeks and "conceptualize"! Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:54:46 AM): the design, layout and the flow of the site which i created will give us somewhat idea of what we can add, remove or improve Stefan (6/2/2009 10:55:09 AM): OK, Arman, please send me the design and flow that you have created. Stefan (6/2/2009 10:55:14 AM): I would like to see it... Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:55:35 AM): Stefan this is a special type of projects and its not the same with other projects that i have completed. Stefan (6/2/2009 10:55:58 AM): Arman, you are just typing words without meaning! Stefan (6/2/2009 10:56:17 AM): This project is "special", therefore there is no need for you to show me that you have done anything? Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:56:49 AM): i mean its a unique project compared from what i have already completed Stefan (6/2/2009 10:56:49 AM): Please, you have done the design, layout and flow. I have seen the layout... now can I please see the design and flow that you have done? Stefan (6/2/2009 10:58:36 AM): ? Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:58:39 AM): right now i have not yet written the idea can you give until tonight, i will consolidate all my ideas, the flow and concept so we can have a continues discussion At this point it was absolutely clear to me that Armando Atienza is a compulsive liar. But what could I do, since I had already invested $2,000 in him? I know what I *wanted* to do, but that would result in a complete loss for me, and life in a Filipino prison! This is what I am trying to spare you, his prospective employer, from. Stefan (6/2/2009 10:58:54 AM): Arman, I am exceedingly disappointed. Stefan (6/2/2009 10:59:07 AM): Remember what we agreed about total honesty being essential? Stefan (6/2/2009 10:59:25 AM): Can you honestly tell me what you have done on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and so far today? Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 10:59:27 AM): Stefan im committed to this project Stefan (6/2/2009 11:00:06 AM): If you can not show me anything, then please WRITE down, now, questions and comments about what you have seen, learned, decided and conceptualized. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:00:12 AM): Right here, please: Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:00:29 AM): i was online last friday and you told me that you're very much busy, after our discussion last thursday i did all what we have agreed upon Stefan (6/2/2009 11:00:43 AM): Again, you are not answering my question Stefan (6/2/2009 11:00:49 AM): If you can not show me anything, then please WRITE down, now, questions and comments about what you have seen, learned, decided and conceptualized. Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:01:10 AM): okay on the database Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:02:33 AM): wait im trying to open my localhost Stefan (6/2/2009 11:03:05 AM): Arman, you can't remember anything? You have no notes? Nothing in your head or on paper??!! Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:09:40 AM): i restarted my PC That's a good way to buy some time to think of a response. He actually has to open up the database that I created to find something to question or comment on... then he changes the subject. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:10:19 AM): OK, I asked: Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:10:19 AM): okay lets start on the client side Stefan (6/2/2009 11:10:19 AM): Arman, you can't remember anything? You have no notes? Nothing in your head or on paper??!! Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:10:58 AM): Stefan all we have discussed in [my original location] is still intact with me Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:11:29 AM): if you noticed the way created the design is based on what we have discussed Translation: "I spent a few hours creating a rough JPEG design by copying from another site that was mentioned during our first meeting. For the past 5 weeks I have had no idea what to do, and I can't be bothered to look at the existing system or ask any questions, so I have done nothing." Stefan (6/2/2009 11:11:40 AM): Yes, but what of your own personal discoveries over the past 5 weeks? Stefan (6/2/2009 11:11:43 AM): Nothing written down? Stefan (6/2/2009 11:11:56 AM): No ideas or questions in your head that you want to tell or ask me? A discussion ensues about the concept of the new site (known for 5 weeks already!), with Armando saying that our new site will work the same as a similar site. He clearly has made no effort at all to look at the new site as he inherited it, because he was unable to come up with any differences. Had he simply logged in and tried it for 5 minutes, he would have seen immediately how different it was. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:18:20 AM): You are telling me what is the SAME between my system and [the similar site] Stefan (6/2/2009 11:18:40 AM): What is DIFFERENT between what you have seen me do, and what [the similar site] does? Stefan (6/2/2009 11:21:25 AM): OK, Arman. I am asking simple questions here and you are taking 3 minutes to respond. You have nothing on paper, nothing in your mind to think of. Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:21:25 AM): okay they provide exact cost that you can choose from Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:21:39 AM): for example if you have question Stefan (6/2/2009 11:21:40 AM): Let's be honest: You have done very little on [the new site], and you are doing very little. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:21:44 AM): You have nothing to show. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:21:47 AM): No questions. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:21:50 AM): No suggestions. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:21:56 AM): No issues to discuss. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:22:01 AM): No brilliant ideas. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:22:28 AM): You don't know what my system does, and you don't know what [the similar site] does, because you have not been through those sites in detail. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:22:33 AM): Am I right, or am I right? Armando continues to claim that he's done a lot of research, both on my project as he inherited it, and on a similar site. This is not supported by evidence: He is unable to list any differences (of which there are many) between my site and the other one. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:46:35 AM): Why, after 1 week, do we still have a non-functional jpeg design and nothing else? No updates, no questions, no code, no plan? Stefan (6/2/2009 11:46:51 AM): I have had brilliant ideas, and they are in [the new site, as already written] Stefan (6/2/2009 11:47:13 AM): Please answer my question above: Why, after 1 week, do we still have a non-functional jpeg design and nothing else? No updates, no questions, no code, no plan? Stefan (6/2/2009 11:47:31 AM): 1 week = 40 hours Stefan (6/2/2009 11:47:45 AM): Do you have any idea how MUCH work can be accomplished in 40 hours? Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:47:50 AM): we talked last thursday Stefan (6/2/2009 11:47:58 AM): Of course, you actually have to be WORKING during those 40 hours, Arman! Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:48:14 AM): friday i im still working Stefan (6/2/2009 11:48:38 AM): Yes, but the images have been there a week. OK, so for 3 days more you worked for another client. 4 days then. 4x8 = 32 hours. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:49:14 AM): OK, Arman, I give up. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:49:17 AM): I give UP. Stefan (6/2/2009 11:49:27 AM): If you want to work, please work and tell me when you have something. Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:49:37 AM): nope after we talked last thursday i told you that im completely committed now to [the new site] Armando needs time to examine the existing site. A site that consists of a beyond-simple concept and a user menu containing 3 options. He continues to insist that he has been working hard for a week, despite having absolutely nothing (no documents, no web pages, no graphics, no thoughts, ideas or questions in his head) to show for it. But at least he is "completely committed now". He goes on to actually ask me, 5 weeks into the project, "What's it supposed to do?": Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:58:52 AM): okay Stefan if you gave me a clear schema 1 by 1 of what i am going to do i think i can give you what i have done based from that Stefan (6/2/2009 11:59:02 AM): Huh? Stefan (6/2/2009 11:59:33 AM): You want me to tell you exactly what pages and functions to write? Define some OO objects for you? Stefan (6/2/2009 11:59:47 AM): Arman, you can program, right? Stefan (6/2/2009 11:59:54 AM): You know how to design a system? Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 11:59:55 AM): nope i mean concrete guidelines Stefan (6/2/2009 12:00:05 PM): Huh? Please give me an example. Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:00:50 PM): okay for example since the front pages are very important part Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:01:12 PM): what you do you want the front pages will flow Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:01:20 PM): from the start Stefan (6/2/2009 12:01:38 PM): Huh? Flow? We've discussed that... register, click on email link, log in. Stefan (6/2/2009 12:01:46 PM): Have you even looked at my system? It does all of this! Stefan (6/2/2009 12:02:09 PM): Arman, is is ALL THERE. Just LOOK AT MY CODE. Stefan (6/2/2009 12:02:30 PM): Right at the beginning, 5 weeks ago, you said you would go through my code. You haven't. Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:02:41 PM): okay the problem is i reallt have to go over your code and that is what im doing Stef Stefan (6/2/2009 12:02:53 PM): If you had looked at my code or tried my system, it would be very clear to you. Stefan (6/2/2009 12:03:22 PM): Arman, do you have any idea what you are doing? You sound like a head-less chicken running around, with no idea what to do! Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:03:37 PM): i cant ask question i cant suggest because im in the verge of analysing the existing system Wow, he can't grasp the concept of a main page where a user logs in (or registers) and is taken into the system. He's never seen that kind of thing before, apparently, so needs me to analyze it for him. And, since he never apparently looked at my system during the 5 weeks he'd had it (he's "on the verge" though), he doesn't realize that all that has been programmed already. The simple stuff! Logging in for Heaven's sake! What will he do with something more complicated than a banana? Stefan (6/2/2009 12:07:05 PM): But what annoys the HELL out of me is when you lie, conceal, pretend and don't respond. I can't work that way. Stefan (6/2/2009 12:08:13 PM): If you don't want to work, tell me "I don't want to work" Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:08:14 PM): okay forgive me for that Stefan (6/2/2009 12:08:20 PM): If you are lazy, tell me "I am lazy" Stefan (6/2/2009 12:08:34 PM): If you don't know how to program, tell me "I don't know how to program" Stefan (6/2/2009 12:08:49 PM): If you do not know how to design a system, tell me, "I don't know how to design" Stefan (6/2/2009 12:08:53 PM): It's really simple! Stefan (6/2/2009 12:09:44 PM): I think the best thing will be if I just pretend that nothing is happening on this project. Stefan (6/2/2009 12:10:18 PM): Then, if you surprise me with something, it will be a bonus. I should set my expectations lower: "If you expect nothing, then you can not be disappointed." Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:10:33 PM): i tell you, i want to work, im not lazy, i know how to program, i know how to design. what im trying to explain you is that i need few more time to get the whole system. Stefan (6/2/2009 12:11:17 PM): Arman, the "whole system" is: Stefan (6/2/2009 12:11:18 PM): Log in Stefan (6/2/2009 12:11:20 PM): Ask question Stefan (6/2/2009 12:11:21 PM): Pay Stefan (6/2/2009 12:11:23 PM): Get answer Stefan (6/2/2009 12:11:31 PM): I have never worked on a more simple system! Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:11:55 PM): okay if that's the system is all about then that's it, i can continue working now based from that Stefan (6/2/2009 12:12:14 PM): What did you think it was about? He needs to understand a system in which people log in, ask a question, pay, receive an answer. It's taken him 5 weeks already, with the system essentially written already and fully available for him to try out, yet he needs "a few more time" to grasp this whole vast system comprising not 500 but 5 elements. Before you consider hiring this "programmer" for your project, here's another idea: Don't. Consider looking for someone else who has a work ethic and a slight clue about programming. Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:13:20 PM): thinking of what more can i add to that something new idea that will catch clients attention Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:14:26 PM): i tell you Stefan all projects i started, all of them were completed. Stefan (6/2/2009 12:15:24 PM): I am sure that you would complete this project... but at the present rate, it will be complete in 2013, unless I write it for you... Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:16:33 PM): Well that's how you look at it, you are a programmer and i am a programmer.... Stefan (6/2/2009 12:17:44 PM): Well, Arman, it's up to you. I am a generous guy, and when I see P50,000 worth of work I pay P100,000. But at the moment I see nothing like that. I see no commitment, and I have seen a great deal of un-truth. Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:18:34 PM): okay Stefan what-ever things i did that gave you disappointment, im so sorry for that Apparently Armando is still not sure of what he might have done wrong. Obtaining one month's advance salary on deception? Lying for one full month about working on my system? Lying for another week (and counting) that he is "conceptualizing"? Producing nothing but a few temporary JPEG graphics during this entire time? Next I attempt to motivate him by reminding him of how much the new system is expected to earn based on my existing (and extremely profitable, yet inferior) system's performance. I point out how very much he, as a 50-50 partner in this project, is losing every day that he wastes. Stefan (6/2/2009 12:26:00 PM): So please, think about it. "Bust your ass", as the Americans would say. Live, sleep, eat and drink this idea. Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:26:16 PM): okay Stefan, i will do that Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:26:33 PM): can i work now Stefan (6/2/2009 12:26:42 PM): Of course! The advance salary and the promise of riches is not quite enough: he also wants me to buy him a house as soon as the system is complete. I give him that assurance, to keep him motivated: Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:37:34 PM): Well im just wondering if you for example make a deal for me that in 15days after i completed the whole project you can spare the amount to buy that house and lot, well that will Bust my ass or more.... Stefan (6/2/2009 12:38:40 PM): Arman, I need some form of guarantee... but yes, I can promise you that as soon as I have in my posession, on my computer, a complete, functioning, great system, I can advance you that abount. Stefan (6/2/2009 12:38:44 PM): (amount) Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:38:46 PM): i think i will take no more sleep... Stefan (6/2/2009 12:39:08 PM): But I won't take any more risks... I have "lent" too much money to too many people who never paid me back. Stefan (6/2/2009 12:39:26 PM): When I see a system that will succeed (and I am 100% sure that this will), you have the money. Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:39:51 PM): are sure Stefan Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:39:58 PM): are you sure Stefan Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:40:12 PM): tell me if you are sure Stefan (6/2/2009 12:40:30 PM): If you would like to come here to work -- just you, not your family because we just don't have the room at present -- then feel free. If we will work faster and better together that way. Stefan (6/2/2009 12:40:48 PM): Yes, I am sure. I promise. Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:41:23 PM): okay that's what i want to hear, my ass is heating up right now Stefan (6/2/2009 12:41:39 PM): And if the system doesn't earn that money back (in other words, if I am wrong), then you don't need to pay me back. Stefan (6/2/2009 12:41:49 PM): BUT, first, I need to see a good system! Stefan (6/2/2009 12:42:12 PM): That's what you need... a good fire under your ass! Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:42:45 PM): OKAY..... thats what i really want to hear from you Stefan (6/2/2009 12:43:39 PM): But Arman, we need 100% honesty, commitment, hard work from each other. I am working EVERY day to earn the money that will pay for this initially. That is my commitment. After a discussion about him coming to my house to work for a while, he goes on: Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:53:10 PM): man im so motivated right now... Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:53:19 PM): triple Stefan (6/2/2009 12:53:29 PM): Well gee, you should have told me you weren't motivated! Stefan (6/2/2009 12:53:40 PM): I thought I had already motivated you! Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:54:28 PM): when you said you will help me out to get the house and lot, im so excited Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:54:46 PM): WOW Stefan (6/2/2009 12:55:23 PM): And yes, I am a man of my word... but I will need to see an excellent system before I send large amounts of cash your way! Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:56:12 PM): Yes i trust you Stefan you are a good person..... Stefan (6/2/2009 12:56:37 PM): OK then, let's do this Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:56:45 PM): man can't wait to complete this project!!! Stefan (6/2/2009 12:56:55 PM): That's what I want to hear! Stefan (6/2/2009 12:57:21 PM): And remember Arman, when I see work happening, I will continue to pay your salary. Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:58:10 PM): yes thats good.... what more can i say, cant wait to have this project done.... Stefan (6/2/2009 12:58:36 PM): OK, that's a relief to hear Arman Stefan (6/2/2009 12:58:47 PM): Honestly, I was thinking that you just don't care... Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 12:58:54 PM): yes... really sounds great Next he promises to create a discussion document... it's now July 18th, 2009 as I write this and neither that nor anything else of substance has ever materialized from the desk of Armando Atienza. Stefan (6/2/2009 1:01:40 PM): Now, let's create a small document outlining [a time zone-related problem]. Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 1:01:55 PM): ok good Stefan (6/2/2009 1:02:14 PM): Why don't you start a discussion document and send me your understanding of it and your ideas. Then I will add to it my ideas. Stefan (6/2/2009 1:02:36 PM): Once we solve that, I believe it will be "plain sailing" Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 1:03:00 PM): okay i will do that Having received $2,000 from me as advance payment for a month's work, and having worked for approximately 3-6 hours to date, Armando now actually asks for his "salary". Isn't it interesting how people with no money (such as Armando Atienza) send their 3 kids to private schools, and rent a separate office in addition to their apartment when they do a job (like programming) that is easily done from home? Armando apparently blew through the $2,000 (2 years' average Filipino salary; 2.5 months' average programmer salary) already, and now needs more: Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 1:27:12 PM): so that i can possibly get my salary for my kids.... Stefan (6/2/2009 1:27:35 PM): Why do your kids need your salary? Stefan (6/2/2009 1:27:46 PM): I just feed [my kids] and they're OK Arman Atienza (6/2/2009 1:28:26 PM): they are all studying in private schools Stefan (6/2/2009 1:28:44 PM): Geesh, Arman... don't spend money you don't have! The conversation ended (amicably) without him asking again for salary, soon after that. |
| Jun 3, 2009 | A worrying development: I noticed that three of
the new site's pages had been corrupted. Upon further investigation, it
turned out that obfuscated JavaScript code had been injected, taking a user to
a Chinese web site, where they would be infected by a virus. I contacted
Armando on Yahoo IM:Stefan (6/3/2009 9:00:06 PM): Hello Arman No response. I sent an email at 10:17 PM asking to explain how this (apparently) Chinese-based hacker code was injected into the new site's web pages. I sent another email at 11:35 PM detailing which changes had been made to which pages. |
| Jun 4, 2009 | 1:04 AM: Armando responds, saying he would check
things out
(1 AM... he's obviously working 'normal hours' for me, as he said he would,
not all night for overseas clients!) 6:31 AM: I wrote an email saying that his computer must be "infected" since none of my other sites have this problem. 7:13 AM: He writes to say he will scan his computer for viruses. |
| Jun 5, 2009 | No response from Armando. 12:22 AM: I write an email saying "Soooo.... any progress?" 6:56 AM: Response from Armando: "My computer is infected by viruses, im fixing it i need backup all my files and totally clean my hard drive." 7:45 PM: I email Armando, asking for an update and pointing out that another week has passed with no results aside from a virus infection. NOTE: It is now 2 days since this 'computer expert' had his computer infected with a virus. |
| Jun 8, 2009 | 6:27 PM: Finally, a response from Armando to my
last email: Hi Stefan, My computer got screwed up with this unknown virus and reformatted my hard drive 3 times, i used what you suggested the AVG Anti-Virus but i didn't work well for me. Im so sorry that our [new] site being infected i don't have any idea where it came from. Almost half of my completed and running sites were infected by that unknown virus, until know im looking for a better Anti-Virus to stop this nightmare. Aside from that its raining hard continuously over the weekends and hope you watched the news that our area in Cainta Rizal was one of the areas being flooded due to continuous rain. Today I will be assisting my 3 kids to their 1st day schooling and then back to my unit tomorrow. On Wednesday i will be using temporarily one of my server to upload what i have completed on the back end while looking for solution to clean this virus. Best Regards, Arman Several things to point out here. Three reformats "didn't get rid of" a virus... and this is a computer expert? After 5 days, he still has no idea what the virus is? "Almost half" of his sites were infected (two actually, as he later showed me, out of EIGHTEEN listed on his resume). Oh yes, it's a "nightmare"... except that, as you will read below, he admits at the end of June that he actually fixed the problem on the first day and was pretending that it was a huge problem in order to buy time while, yet again, he worked on other sites. He even throws in heavy rain and taking kids to school as reasons for not being in contact for 3 days. But wait... it gets better! |
| Jun 10, 2009 | 9:54 AM: No contact yet. I send an email
asking Armando how it is going. I suggest a low-level format of his hard
drive, if he hasn't tried that, or purchasing a new drive (cheap!) I
leave the same message offline on Yahoo Instant Messenger. |
| Jun 12, 2009 | NOTE: It is now 9 days
since this 'computer expert' was infected by a virus. My mother or son
could fix a virus problem faster than that. 9:23 AM: Email from Armando: Hi Stefan, Hope you're doing fine, Im calling your cellphone using my landline this morning and just keeps on ringing . The virus infected all my php files, thats why im so frustated right now some of my completed sites were totally infected. One of those sites is www.sattlerclocks.com, this is really a nightmare for me. Im so worried in uploading files from my PC, i got your advise yesterday and right now im going to buy a new harddrive and setup a new OS then scan the old drive. Please bear with me about this situation, still my "ass is so hot" on our project.....i will let you know as soon as everything are in proper place. Best Regards, Arman Having in fact solved his problem 8 days ago, he's actually got the nerve to pretend (a) that this is still a "nightmare" for him, and (b) he will finally take my advice and buy a new hard drive. Well gee, it's good that I'm around, or what WOULD he do? I asked for more regular updates. |
| Jun 14, 2009 |
NOTE: It is now 11 days
since this 'computer expert' was infected by a virus. My baby could fix
a virus faster than that. Oh, but wait... he fixed it 10 days ago, as
you will read, and is just stringing me along while he works for other
clients. 6:55 AM: No contact yet. I send another email to Armando: Arman! Hello! More than 2 weeks! To fix a virus!? Where are you having problems? You don't understand what the virus is? I think it is the HTML/Frame virus. I think MalWareBytes can remove it from your computer. Removing it from your sites requires overwriting the files with your backed-up (you do keep backups, right??!!) versions. I have cleaned up [the new site] (3 infected files). Very easy... just copy the files back from my machine. However, I do not understand how this virus works and spreads itself. It seems very clever, able to gain access to your FTP connections. If you have found a page that explains it very clearly, please send me a link because I would like to read about it. Meanwhile... 2 weeks... really, your other clients must be screaming by now! At least [the new site] is not operating yet... if it was, this would be an absolutely terrible delay. As for me, it's been 6 weeks of [the new site] "development" with almost nothing to show for it... Arman, you really must keep people updated more often, and not just when they write to you. You should be giving ALL of your affected clients (including myself) an update every day about what you have been doing and any progress you have made. 8 hours (one day) is a lot of time to get things done, for most programmers! Time enough to buy a new hard drive, install Windows and restore all of your backup files, for example. But it has taken you 14x8 = 112 hours so far, with no news??? It does not look 'professional' (or curteous) when you remain out of contact for long periods. This is just going on and on and on and on, and it seems as though it will go on for a lot longer too... I know you are under a lot of pressure at present. But remember, it will reduce the pressure on you if you have a bunch of informed, patient clients instead of a bunch of uninformed, angry clients! Regards, Stefan |
| Jun 15, 2009 | 12:18 PM: No contact yet. I send another email: Hi Arman, I'm not hearing anything from you! What's going on??!! What I did notice was that, once again, three [the new site] files were infected again with the virus yesterday... I had fixed them the day before. So, your machine STILL appears to be infected, after 17 days?!! Regards, Stefan OK, the "17 days" was inaccurate (I just knew it was a damned long time and didn't bother checking.) Would you believe it, Armando Atienza is at this time NOT ONLY pretending that he can't remove the virus (11 days after he had in fact removed it), but is ALSO repeatedly manually re-copying infected files onto my new site in order to give the impression that his machine is still infected. The sheer unbelievable audacity of this guy. But wait - a reply at 4:33 PM: Hi Stefan, The virus gives me a lot of headache when i discovered that all of my php files where infected and the virus keeps injecting "iframe" code and overwriting parts of my codes. That's why i have to go over every file to check, Stefan this is really a nightmare i hope you can help me find a better virus remover, i tried Mcafee, Norton but none of them works. And the problem is that it infected my updated php files. Can you give me a few more time to fix this problem, im also worried that if i uploaded some of my files to your server it might infect some of your files. Many of my clients are now starting to get worried about this new virus that penetrates not only the localhost but also the websites. The virus i think was started when my son downloaded free games from the websites without my knowledge. Regards, Arman Where to begin to analyze this? Remember, he is writing this 11 days after he admittedly (see below) removed the virus completely from his computer. He is asking me for help to "find a better virus remover". Despite having fixed the problem almost 2 weeks ago, he is making me waste my time doing pointless research for him. And now it seems Armando's son goes to his office in Manila and downloads virus-laden games on Armando's work computer. While Armando is doing exactly what? At 5:05 PM I responded: Hello Arman, Surely, a low-level format of your hard drive, or a new hard drive, would kill the virus 100%? Of course it would! The virus can probably only replicate itself through executable files, not in PHP source code. Therefore, if you have a "clean machine" and it gets infected, then it must be one of the executable files that you are bringing over from your backup. As I wrote: (1) Create an entirely clean machine. Low-level format or new hard drive, reinstall Windows and all applications. (2) Import back-up copies of your web sites (data files only if possible... get fresh install files for everything else) and overwrite all infected files with the back-up version. This is very simple, isn't it? Or am I missing something? Arman, if you want more detailed information from me, then I will need to know exactly what you have tried, and what information you have learned from your research during the past 2 weeks. Also, Arman, you are expecting me to do something for you... to be available for you... yet I am getting absolutely nothing from you. You are never available! You don't give me updates; you don't generally respond to text messages, Yahoo offline messages or even emails. Honestly, I have the impression that you are sitting there doing absolutely nothing most of the time! And I am sure that your clients are having the same impression!! Arman, again, this comes down to honesty... and quite honestly, this has taken what? 17 days? I have never, ever, heard of a computer expert (or even a non-expert) taking so long to fix a virus! Even amateurs can get help and fix a problem in a day or two. Seventeen days??!! And without updates... nothing. Except that my [new site] files got re-infected yesterday, so I know that "Arman is doing something"! Arman, if you can't fix it, BE HONEST. Tell someone. Seek help. Take your computer to a computer store. Ask a friend. Do SOMETHING. Obvivously, you can't fix it yourself... but you seem to be pretending that you can, pretending that you are "confident", by remaining silent all this time as if there is no problem. But everyone can see from the results (none!) that there is a very, very big problem somewhere. No one can help you unless you follow our advice, tell us what you have tried, tell us what you can't do, what you know and what you don't know! Regards, Stefan He never did tell me what he had discovered about the virus and exactly what things he had tried already. Why? BECAUSE HE REMOVED THE VIRUS SUCCESSFULLY 11 DAYS AGO! |
| Jun 18, 2009 |
NOTE: It is now 15 days
since this 'computer expert' was infected by a virus. A coma patient
could fix a virus faster than that. Oh, but wait... he fixed it 14 days
ago, in just 2 hours as you will read, and is still stringing me along while he works for
other clients. 9:25 PM: No contact yet. I wrote a very simple email message to Armando: ?! Over the next few days, I left several messages on Yahoo Messenger, not one of which was even acknowledged. The last one was sent on June 23rd; Arman had for several days already been "signed on as invisible" to me, and I never did see him online again. |
| Jun 24, 2009 |
NOTE: It is now 21 days since this
'computer expert' was infected by a virus. And 20 days since he
FIXED
it. 6:43 AM: No contact yet. I send another email: Arman, my patience with you is running out. If I do not hear from you before the end of the week, or receive 90% of my advance payment back from you, then this will happen: I will put up a web page about you, detailing my experiences with you, so that all future employers of yours will see how you operate. You have until the end of the week to show me that you are an honest professional instead of a lying cheat... or return P90,000 to me. After that, I will be using my significant SEO skills to ensure that my page about you comes #1 in Google for anyone wishing to look you up. I am sorry, but I have no choice. Your behavior is ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. Are you on drugs? Drunk? This weekend, my page/site about you goes up. -Stefan I lied... I later extended my deadline till July 17th. As you can see, he missed that one too. |
| Jun 25, 2009 | 11:44 PM: Wow! A response from
Armando after 10 days of complete unresponsiveness. It was interesting to note that I only received a response
after threatening to tell his future prospective employers about him, as I am doing now,
by putting up a page about him.
His message below is so incredible, I can only think of red as a suitable
highlight color: Hi Stefan, I am sincerely admitting my breakdown the way it greatly affected the tasks I needed to accomplish as your partner in this project [the new site]. I describe my unprofessional and disrespectful act I did by delaying the project, alibis, keeping silent and not responding with your previous emails and text messages. I also understand how my ill-mannered mediocrity brought you tremendous headache and heartache. Right now I don’t want to make any excuses and defenses from the very little work I did with our project so far. I want to regain your trust and let’s work it out again. I am at the end of my rope Stefan and the right thing I can do is to stand up and restart working with you in this project wholeheartedly. When I first read your last email I was so downcast I sat down and come to the point of self-realization and found out myself missing a great opportunity in my life if I will lose this project, I realized the future of my kids my family and how it will definitely change our lives. Stefan you really are a true and a good person and it’s very hard to find a person and a business partner like you. I hope you will give me a chance to re-work all my work lapses, re-build my daily communications with you and most of all keep our partnership in good shape again. I want you to know that this time I will not take any more extra projects and commitments, and if ever there some unavoidable editing and debugging with my previous clients I will inform you and consult you first. From hereon I will be totally honest with you and I will make sure that you are well informed every day. Again I’m so sorry Stefan, I’m really sorry about my impertinent behavior I do really admit my it’s all my fault. Best Regards, Arman This simply beggars belief. He hasn't explicitly admitted it yet (see below), but after a SECOND month of lying to me with excuses (this time a "virus" that took him "three weeks" to remove, despite it actually taking him two hours), he is AGAIN promising to be honest, work only on my project, and keep me informed every day. Another three promises, not a SINGLE one of which he managed to keep for more than a couple of days. Do NOT trust this man. Do NOT hire him as a programmer. I don't even think he is a programmer; I think his expertise is confined to Photoshop. He is a con artist. Try ANYONE else. Unless you don't mind projects that are never started or finished, and you enjoy throwing away money as I did. |
| Jun 28, 2009 | 11:15 AM: Since I was by now already working with a
new, excellent and reliable American programmer, I was in
no hurry to respond to Armando. Here is what I wrote: Hello Arman, Thank you for your email, but I believe the only reason you responded to me and apologized is because you recognize the significance of having a page about your "professionalism" on the Internet for your future employers to read. If you want to convince me that you are genuine, kindly explain to me EXACTLY what has been happening since we first met 2 months ago and I handed you a lot of money. -- Who were you working for during the first month? Doing what? Why did you tell me that you were "completely available" before I paid you? -- Why did it take you 3 weeks or more to remove a virus from your computer? My son or wife could have arranged to have it removed in a couple of days. -- Why did you almost completely ignore my communications for one month... right after our "total honesty" and "my ass is hot!" chat? -- What did you DO in this month of June? Apologies and nice words are... nice. But I am still left with nothing: No work, no web site, no money, no truthful account of your activities. Just silence, excuses, apologies... and ABSOLUTELY NOTHING USEFUL after 2 months of "work". I would like proper explanations from you, not fancy words. I want to know your true situation now, at work, at home. And if I don't get them, I'm still going to put up a web page about you that comes #1 on Google for your name. The time for lying, laziness and lack of communication is OVER. Either we DO this, and do it NOW, or I will "DO" you. (Or you refund me.) - Stefan Wait for his response... he's actually dumb enough to admit the truth in writing, ready to be published here! 8:00 PM: Another incredible response from Armando: Subject: I admit my breakdown From: armando atienza <armanatienza@gmail.com> Hi Stefan, Please read my answers in blue bold text color. Hello Arman, Thank you for your email, but I believe the only reason you responded to me and apologized is because you recognize the significance of having a page about your "professionalism" on the Internet for your future employers to read. - The reason why I responded and apologized is not because you’re going to put me for my being disrespectful and unprofessional attitude on the #1 top profile search for my future employers, for me it doesn’t make sense for my future clients/employers. I can make reasons and defenses for myself anytime if I want to and can show them your blogs and sites that you gave me that tells nothing but all bad things about you and I don’t think my future employer even my past clients will believe you that easily. But I told you that I’m not that kind of person, I know where I’m standing , I know my breakdown and I accept it. The main reason I really responded is that like what I told you that I took time to think and analyzed carefully that if I will lose you and if I lose this project I will be so stupid in the whole of my entire life by wasting this great opportunity primarily for the future of my family and my kids. I hope you understand where I’m coming from, well you have all the rights to publicly tell the worst things against me and also all the more that I have all the rights to defend myself too and as a result it will not help both of us. And please don’t get me wrong. I responded because I really trust this project will work successfully and fruitfully. I responded because I admit my breakdown and it’s all my faults. I responded because I want to work it out this time for I know it’s not yet too late. I responded because I believe there’s always room to build a better business partnership with you again. And the most important reason why I responded is that I know my skills and I know I can complete this project. - If you want to convince me that you are genuine, kindly explain to me EXACTLY what has been happening since we first met 2 months ago and I handed you a lot of money. Stefan it was 2 months ago when we have only a verbal agreement, no written contract because you prefer not to make any legal agreement at all and I respected your decision, no specific timelines and deadlines, we didn’t also discuss any working hours per day. I presented you many of my completed websites only done by myself and demonstrated each of them right to your eyes. And because you really like what I did with those websites then you proposed me to be your partner in this project and presented me of what will happen in the future and offered me a 50% equal income sharing when this project started to create profit in the long run. Aside from that you ask me how much will I charged you for the development cost, and I told you that I can settle for monthly basis, I told you that my regular rate per hour is $30 but honestly I mis-computed it and told you that I can give it to you for Php50K because what I am so after is the 50% equal sharing on the profit in the long run. But when I told you the amount you were surprised because you’re expecting around 150k or 200K (well I knew it will be the right cost if you get it from my $30/hr rate). So what you did was you doubled the amount then everything was settled that Sunday April 26th 2009. -- Who were you working for during the first month? Doing what? Why did you tell me that you were "completely available" before I paid you? Honestly I admitted it to you already that I did pretend that I didn’t have any commitments and pending projects because I’m worried that you might not give me this project. At the same time I really didn’t expect that in that single day you’re going to give me the 1 month advance payment, and for the reason that I also in need of money that time I surprisingly accepted the fund that you entrusted to me. The real situation is this before we agreed to start [the new site] I have 4 pending major projects with specific deadlines needed to be completed 3 of them were CRM websites: Deadlines Name of Website May 20, 2009 http://www.hyperstamper.com/ May 31, 2009 http://www.peoplesrightsllc.com/ June 10, 2009 http://www.wedobpo.com/ June 20, 2009 http://www.wedoforeclosure.com/ -- Why did it take you 3 weeks or more to remove a virus from your computer? My son or wife could have arranged to have it removed in a couple of days. It’s true that my computer was screwed up by unknown virus and infected some of my developed websites like www.sattlerclocks.com, www.quick-snap.com and others. What happened was that I successfully fixed it only in a couple of hours by uploading clean index files and setting all index files permission to 404, read only so virus will never inject malicious codes again. Since I was on the pressure of completing all of my pending projects with specific deadlines I used this virus thing as my alibis and excuses, I did it to make a delaying tactic. My pure intension was to get rid of all my pending commitments before I fully concentrate my all attention to [the new site], what I really did with our project initially was I worked with Photoshop and created a new layout and design for [the new site] and created the html for some of the front pages which I uploaded at http://www.the-new-site.com/devsite/ -- Why did you almost completely ignore my communications for one month... right after our "total honesty" and "my ass is hot!" chat? Below is my last email before I kept myself totally silent in a couple of weeks it says on my email that “Can you give me a few more time to fix this problem”. But the truth is I was working with those websites that I must deliver on the specified deadline. It’s true that I’m hot and I’m so eager to complete our [new site] project that’s why I used excuses as my delaying tactic just to keep holding on our [new site] and not to lose it. And I sincerely admit it that I was wrong by lying it to you. from armando atienza <armanatienza@gmail.com> to Stefan <xxx@xxx.com> date Mon, Jun 15, 2009 at 4:33 PM subject Re: Update? mailed-by gmail.com Reply Hi Stefan, The virus gives me a lot of headache when i discovered that all of my php files where infected and the virus keeps injecting "iframe" code and overwriting parts of my codes. That's why i have to go over every file to check, Stefan this is really a nightmare i hope you can help me find a better virus remover, i tried Mcafee, Norton but none of them works. And the problem is that it infected my updated php files. Can you give me a few more time to fix this problem, im also worried that if i uploaded some of my files to your server it might infect some of your files. Many of my clients are now starting to get worried about this new virus that penetrates not only the localhost but also the websites. The virus i think was started when my son downloaded free games from the websites without my knowledge. Regards, Arman -- What did you DO in this month of June? I completed this 2 pending websites and made some edits with the other 2 sites: http://www.wedobpo.com/ http://www.wedoforeclosure.com/ Like you I only work by myself and with myself from design to programming. Right now all those completed sites are now live and working well. And now I want you to know that lying, alibis and lack of communication is OVER… I will now be totally honest to you with my situation and if there’s some unavoidable problems with my previous websites needed to be completed I will have you informed first before working on it. Right now I will make sure that [the new site] will be my primary priority above other projects. Im so motivated to work with you and be your long time partner with this project and also next is the [other new site] and other coming potential projects. Aside from that why I’m so hot about this site is because it will help my family gets our own house and better future for my kids. I hope I properly explained it well , I want to regain your trust and I know there’s always room for forgiveness , reconciliation and improvement. Again I’m asking your forgiveness from my untruthfulness and disrespectful to you. All the Best! Arman So, it turns out to be my fault that he wasn't working for me all this time. We had a verbal - not written - agreement, and no deadline or timeline or working hours were discussed (actually, they were discussed in detail during our first meeting, when I paid him), which apparently removed any obligation on his part to perform, even after he's been paid for a month in advance in cash. Better still, even though I paid him DOUBLE what he asked for (and fully 250% of the average programmer salary in the Philippines, which is P500,000 per year or P42,000 per month), that apparently wasn't enough and instead of mentioning it to me he simply decided he wouldn't do any work. Let's recap: - Armando lies for the entire month of May that he is working for me when he is in fact working for other clients. He admits this completely, promises never to lie again to me, promises to work fully on my project and keep me updated every day. - Armando then lies for the entire month of June that he has a 'virus' which, in his own words above, took just 2 hours to deal with. He repeatedly whines that he still can't remove this "nightmare" virus, asks me for advice, and even RE-INFECTS MY WEB SITE 4 TIMES in order to make it seem as though his machine is still infected. (It took me 3 minutes to fix the new site each time he infected it, but finally I had enough and changed the password. Problem solved.) - After running out of excuses, he simply went silent for 10 days until I threatened him with a page about him such as the one you are reading now. As you can read above, he admits all of this completely, promises never to lie again to me, promises to work fully on my project and keep me updated every day... yet includes a veiled threat should I decide to take any action. And can you guess what he actually did? That's right, nothing. Read on... 8:19 PM: I can't believe what I just read, and by now I have totally given up on him, but I decide to go along with his game. Why not keep Armando working, since I have paid for it already? At least I might get something useful (fat chance), and at the end of it when he wants to be paid for his work, he will find out what it's like to be lied to. By this time my new programmer was already with me at my house and we were making good progress. So I humor Armando, pretending all is well: Hello Arman, Thank you for your honesty. OK, I will try. ONE MORE TIME. Are you free of all commitments now? Are you ready to start showing me genuine RESULTS of your work? If so, then PLEASE, let's go! Let me know what you plan to do now. Regards, Stefan |
| Jun 29, 2009 | 1:15 PM: Armando responds: Hi Stefan, Im so happy that you accepted my apologies. Thank you very much. I'm now free from major commitments and deadlines, like i told you my primary priority right now is [the new site]. Today i just need to go to my children's school and settle their tuition fees, miscellaneous and other school stuff. Tomorrow i will build specification based from the 3 major accounts in [the new site] namely: User, Expert and Operator. I will classify some parts that i have questions and from there i might be able to identify which modules will stay and which modules will need improvements. Then we can both share our ideas and decide the best things to do. Best Regards, Arman 7:00 PM: My new programmer and I decide that we will have Armando work on the graphical side of things, leaving the programming to us. I give Armando clear email instructions on what should be developed by him now, i.e. a good "look and feel". |
| Jun 30, 2009 | 3:18 AM: (Why is Armando working
again at 3 AM? Could it be more overseas clients?) Armando sends
an email telling me that he understands everything, and ends with "I will
start working on these concerns and will send you the progress of my work at
the end of the day." Yada yada. |
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