PolarLava::Blog

I was reading something earlier today about software development and it linked to this article on The Next Big Thing in software development.  This is a couple of years old, but it's still very relevant today.  Having worked for both big and small software organizations, I can tell you that regardless of size, all of them are capable of churning out some pretty shitty work.  As this article points out, "What other industry ships the kind of crap to their customers that we so regularly do?".  Welcome to the truth ladies and gentlemen.

I know this firsthand from my projects.  There are times when I wonder if I'm nothing more than a one-man open source wrecking machine!  ;)  But I've seen the silly mistakes I've made happen to much larger groups than my group of one.  Groups that have dozens of developers , QA people and even user (customer) acceptance testing!  It's pretty astounding that regardless, sloppy things slip through.

The only real answer —as the article states, it simply that people need to write better software.  It's not about putting in hours, but about taking care in what you do.  It's about accepting criticism without being offended and using that feedback loop to make a better product.

It's what I try do with my projects in hopes that I won't make the same mistakes.  It's a mindset that I try to instill in the people I work with so we get better at what we do.  So take care and have pride in what you're doing.  Don't churn out stuff that you wouldn't personally want your name on.  But when you do produce a dud, take the heat and learn from it.  Be professional, be a software craftsman.

OK, this is somewhat of an ecological disaster, but the fact that The Duck Armada still exists after 15 years is pretty remarkable.  And I'm glad to hear that somebody has bothered to keep track of them and glean useful scientific information from them.

I came across this yesterday and have to agree, Does Anyone Actually Read Software EULAs?  I know I don't and I'm guessing you don't either.  Personally I find them rather pointless as regardless of what you put in there, I'm going to do what I'm going to do.  If your EULA says I can criticize your product publically and your product sucks, guess what?  I don't care about your EULA and I'm going to tell anyone that listens that your product sucks and why I think so.  You'll just have to get over it or sue me, OK?

Companies feel compelled to fill these things with lots of silly bullshit.  I know, you're just protecting your interests.  So why can't we simplify this?  You make your EULA's say we can't give copies of your proprietary product away to others and build the best product you can.  We the slugs that use it will agree not to pirate your wares and provide feedback to you on what's right and wrong with it.  In turn you'll use this information to make your product better and we'll praise it to other instead of making fun of it.  After all, if I paid for it, I think it's with my right to talk about it and do what I want with it -except give it to others.  Sound fair?

Well, if it's not a joke it should be.  Apparently out in socially progressive Salt Lake City, UT there's a group that calls itself the "Citizens for Decent Public Attire" (CDPA) that wants to ban bicycle short.  And from this article it appears there is legislation pending to do just that.  Spare me.  Maybe if these slugs actually got on a bike and rode further than to the coroner coffee shop they might actually see the point in bike shorts.  The're a functional requirement if you're going to ride more than a couple of casual miles folks.  And if you find them offensive, look the other way.  They're not terribly revealing and if anything look pretty goofy when you're not on a bike.  Thus the ones who should be concerned would be those who need to ride more and spend less time eating doughnuts.

SO CDPA, why don't you refocus your outrage on truly indecent revealing clothing if you're really that concerned.  You people really need to get a life.  Hey, maybe you need a vacation…come on out to New York.  You do know it's legal for women to go topless here, right?  gasp

Oh, and if you're concern about the way they ride, changing their short isn't going to make them more responsible riders.  I would think that should be obvious, but clearly you're not the sharpest pencil in the box.

This is sort of quick two for one entry…

I ran across this very interesting If You Knew Sushi article a couple of days ago.  If you have anything more than a casual interest in sushi you'll likely find this to be a very interesting (and very long) article.  And from the article, it makes me really want a copy of The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy…you should buy this for me…and/or something else from my Amazon Wish List.  ;)

And on a sushi related note, my wife and I went to dinner last weekend at the very good Japanese restaurant Wasabi in Williamsville.  Prices are reasonable and the food was fantastic.  Check it out if you're in the mood.