Handling "Urgent critical assistance..."

[Alan Dayley]

This situation that hit today points to an interesting need.  Here was a 
professional support company that needed a Linux specialist ASAP.  (Ignore 
whether or not they should already have a Linux specialist on staff or 
call.  It could have been a small business using Linux that was setup by 
the owner's brother-in-law that has since moved away.)  They didn't know 
who to call to get Linux help.  They came to PLUG.  We handled it fairly 
well but, it could be handled better.

Ideas:
-That skills database that has been discussed (and cussed) may have handled it.
-What about a group of consultants setting up a contact list that could be 
linked to from the PLUG web site?  That way PLUG is not endorsing any one 
company or person.  PLUG just says "Click here for some local companies 
that provide Linux support."
-A call tree so when a request like this hits the PLUG contact person, 
quick calls can go out to interested persons who have OPTed-IN to get such 
calls.  This way the trusted call tree members have each other's phone 
numbers, not the general public.
-plug-consult@lists.plug.phoenix.az only for paying support requesters and 
monitored by people willing to earn the pay.

We want to help our members make money with Linux (I think), so this is one 
way to do it.  Someone want to set something up?

Alan