Okay, let’s tackle this. So Ben Ford has a diverse set of skills that are in demand, especially in the Pacific Northwest. Linux and open source expertise are valuable, but so is his experience with scripting languages and networking. He’s not a developer, but a systems administrator, so his rate will be lower than a developer’s. Considering his skills and location in Portland, OR, which is a hub for tech companies, I estimate his rate to be around $120 per hour, which is slightly below the national average for a systems administrator with similar skills. This rate is also lower than what a developer with similar skills would charge, but higher than what a junior systems administrator would charge.