Programmer's Grumble
Now, on to the work grumbles that have kept me from writing... Working really hard behind the scenes with little appreciation is one thing, but doing so with criticism is harder to take. There's a lot of pressure on the project I'm doing with Keith. Evidently, it shouldn't take so long and shouldn't take so much work (and, hence, money). It's all wrong thinking, in my opinion.
The system we're replacing is replete with problems because of a lack of time invested in its development. Previously, the company has not invested in much programming infastructure. Neither Keith or I want to see the same problem here, but almost no company likes to invest in the time it takes to write software. The exception, of course, is software companies who make the investment and from whom other companies are willing to buy the work because it is now "packaged" and easier to buy.
My friend related to me this week a story that sounded very similar. Someone wanted some programming work done and had gone to a lot of work to specify exactly what the finished project should look like and work like. The programmer said he would start work on it and get something going within a few weeks. Since the program was needed by the end of the day, there was disbelief that he couldn't just go back to the office and send the final program. Wasn't it similar to work that had been done before? Why hadn't he indicated that there may be some time involved in the programming when he heard about the project? It seems that people expect that building a house or digging a trench takes time, but don't expect that programming takes time (and expert work).
Especially with my good experiences programming with Keith in the last 2 months, I am starting to wonder if I'd prefer to work for a software company. Maybe to start one? Of course, my current company wouldn't like to see me doing something else, but maybe there's some compromise that would work well for me. Or maybe it just seems that way from recent events. Ask me next month and I'll probably have a different opinion.
Thanks for listening to my grumble. 
I just try to stay out of your way Michael, trusting that you are completing it as quickly as humanly possible. I, for one, thank you for all you work and appreciate the job you have done taking on the unwanted task of managing Keith and getting "the project" back on track. I suppose one does not receive the gratitude on a regular basis that one may deserve. For that I am sorry Michael. I hope you know you have my full support on "the project", and I am looking forward to seeing the fruits of the labor. This has been long overdue, and many cannot wait. That may be why people seem to be pushing so hard for completion. Anything I can do for you Michael just let me know, you have my email and phone number.
If you need a sales guy for your software company let me know
Comment by Burl — 03/07/2005 3:30 PM
[...] feel a little less burdened during her last 7 weeks of graduate school, part of it is the project I'm working on with Keith, but mostly I'm sure it's just my thyroid problem ma [...]
Pingback by Following Edge » Too much... — 03/18/2005 6:44 AM