Help needed: Negotiating a contract

[gorlow -at- ORION -dot- HRZ -dot- TU-FREIBERG -dot- DE]

Hello Wise Techwhirlers,

I have just received a job offer from a software company to do
contract work on a per page basis with a minimum expected page rate
production of 5-6 pages per day. I am concerned that the time spent
learning about their products will not be compensated, not to mention
tasks like preparing online help, or interviewing developers,
attending meetings, etc. (even teaching myself to use their preferred
tools. However, maybe that is another matter). 

I plan to work on site at the company one to two days a week and to do
the rest of the work at home. Should I ask for per hour compensation
for the time I am on site? What questions should I be asking before I
give them an answer?

I should mention that I have not worked for this quite reputable
company before. I have seven months prior experience as a technical
writer.

Please repond to me off list.

Thanks for any guidance you can give me.

Ellen Gorlow



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Ellen Gorlow
Brander Strasse 59
09599 Freiberg Germany
telephone: +49 3731 72421
email: gorlow -at- orion -dot- hrz -dot- tu-freiberg -dot- de