Comments on: Three rules for not looking like an idiot when you outsource http://www.kyoshii.org/2006/04/25/three-rules-for-not-looking-like-an-idiot-when-you-outsource/ Software development in a prop shop - Ars Digital Gratis Argentinium Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:03:15 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: wenzi http://www.kyoshii.org/2006/04/25/three-rules-for-not-looking-like-an-idiot-when-you-outsource/comment-page-1/#comment-5 wenzi Wed, 26 Apr 2006 21:41:11 +0000 http://www.kyoshii.org/?p=5#comment-5 I think that is the hardest part is that non coders think anything that they do not understand MUST be easy. I remember a Dilbert about that once. I remember I was doing a program for a semi-clueless manager. I followed the spec and produced the app on time. He was happy and said he needed the graphic print outs. Well, this X window toolkit did not support that. So I had to re-write it using a different toolkit that took way longer than the manager thought it should. Then again, I spent half a day in a meeting with him explaining that GUI programs should be interactive, not batch oriented.... what a waste of time. I think that is the hardest part is that non coders think anything that they do not understand MUST be easy. I remember a Dilbert about that once.

I remember I was doing a program for a semi-clueless manager. I followed the spec and produced the app on time. He was happy and said he needed the graphic print outs. Well, this X window toolkit did not support that. So I had to re-write it using a different toolkit that took way longer than the manager thought it should.

Then again, I spent half a day in a meeting with him explaining that GUI programs should be interactive, not batch oriented…. what a waste of time.

]]> By: Roger http://www.kyoshii.org/2006/04/25/three-rules-for-not-looking-like-an-idiot-when-you-outsource/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Roger Wed, 26 Apr 2006 14:08:53 +0000 http://www.kyoshii.org/?p=5#comment-3 Very good article..... I have also experienced this from both sides. Just try explaining to a non coder that what to him seems soooo obvious was not added automatically to the application. But it was so obvious! It didn't need to be specified..... How could he not have not put it in the application! He is so stupid! Non coders have also no idea at all how much resource such a change will take. They think writing software is just a case of adding a couple of lines of code and its finished. They feel cheated when the timescale and cost of what to them is a small change is non trivial. Very good article…..
I have also experienced this from both sides.

Just try explaining to a non coder that what to him seems soooo obvious was not added automatically to the application.

But it was so obvious! It didn’t need to be specified…..
How could he not have not put it in the application!
He is so stupid!

Non coders have also no idea at all how much resource such a change will take. They think writing software is just a case of adding a couple of lines of code and its finished. They feel cheated when the timescale and cost of what to them is a small change is non trivial.

]]> By: Me http://www.kyoshii.org/2006/04/25/three-rules-for-not-looking-like-an-idiot-when-you-outsource/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Me Wed, 26 Apr 2006 13:26:00 +0000 http://www.kyoshii.org/?p=5#comment-2 I'm the first commenter! Woo Whoooo! GIVE ME MY PRIZE!!! I’m the first commenter!

Woo Whoooo!

GIVE ME MY PRIZE!!!

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