Freelance programming

I am thinking about earning a little money on the side by doing freelance programming work.
Does anyone have experience with it?

I have been appalled a couple of times so far.
Some projects are obviously malware ("need program that locks the computer until a movie is played/code entered/ransom payed") others are a joke, pic related.

Also I am a bit scared about the low payments, there was a project where some guy wanted a video analysis program that identified people based on their faces, their sexes based on their clothed and how they dressed.
IIRC such a technology does not exist as of yet.
Nonetheless someone bid 35$ on it.

Edit: its a repost from /g/ since I got no responses there. Pic in question is http://images.4chan.org/g/src/1304420197498.png (summary in case of deadlink: batshit insane project on guru.com)

Not worth it unless you have a client base or a big name.
Otherwise, compete with indians and pakis for $5 for two week's work.

I am starting to think there is no money in programming unless I want to work for the air force or defense contractor.

>>3
There's tons of money, you just need to know where to look. Making six figures as an independent contractor for a select group of clientele isn't impossible. You just need to be a top-notch software developer, and you need to get yourself established first. Usually, you need to put in a few years at least working regular software dev jobs at an office, network among different companies and people at conventions, etc. and if you have a reputation as an awesome developer, people will start asking you if you're interested in working on a project for them. That's how I started.

okay here is the killer question that I get shit on every time I ask.  How does one get into these office jobs, because that is what I am looking for.  I have C++ experience behind me now that I have taken it at my university.  Other experience is just amateur bullshit I like to do on the side like php and whatnot.  Careerbuilder doesn't seem like a place to look.

I have C++ experience behind me now that I have taken it at my university.

Uni exper don't mean shit, son. Employers don't even really consider it relevant ever.

your ability to make yourself a living has nothing to do with your ability to get hired by an office.

forget that, and go start a business or something

its more about who you know and if that person trusts you, I just got a prog. job that way thanks to my roomate

Tons of money are hidden in Darkfreelancenets, you have to have reputation and connections to get there.  Anything that's on surface only attracts fools and pakis.