was never to work for friends. I'm happy to provide free advice, or even to do things, provided no money (or anything else of significant value) changes hands.

Neighbours don't always count as friends, so they would be expected to pay the same as anyone else.

Setting up wireless is a misery. I tend to work on a barter principle: I set up their wireless, but they do something for me.

I did my share of upgrades free of charge but then I caught myself on.

You change my glowplugs and I'll re-format your hard-drive.

Don't be soft.

But I have a very close friend, now retired from the IT business who had his evenings and weekends
ruined by being called upon to sort other people problems.
He now says I charge £** an hour (even to very close friends). Anyone wanting his services weighs up whether £** an hour is worth it.
Its cut his wasted time to nil and I believe it still provides him with a legitimate income.
Regards
Noels