How would I make a compelling argument for introducing Python into a windows environment? VBscript or Batch scripts will run on any machine and handle most administrative tasks and Java and .Net are available to handle more complex problems. I understand Python brings a lot to the table, but what specifically could it do that we can't do...
There are ads like that all over the place on different online job boards for software developers. My question is: is that really a realistic goal for most developers? Are recruiters just flat out lying, or does a typical programmer (i.e. non-rockstar) really command that much in today's job market? Assuming 5% increase every year for f...
Before I continue with my question, I think there's a perfect real-world analogy to the creation of a new and shiny web application. (and yes, I chose the incendiary title to simply to draw you here ... we tolerate them at Google and I have no intention of quitting SO). When Wal-mart determines that a market will support a store, they ...
What I am looking for is some overview of "design patterns", but not on the coding level (factory, singleton, mvc, ...) but on the business logic level. In other words: The layer between coding logic and domain logic. I don't know if that is understandable, so here are some typical business logic pattern questions for an ERP applicati...
We've been specifying a rather large app for inventory management and customer sales. The scope is pretty large and the cost of development is making the suits nervous. I've been contending that it'll be just as painful to buy an app and try to customize it or worse yet, change our business to fit the software's capabilities. What are...
A few years ago I moved to a new job having been programming for 2 years using C#, however this new company was mainly using VB6. I made the case for .NET and won, but one of the consessions I had to make was to use VB.NET and not C# (understandable as most of the other developers were already using VB). Three years later it was time to...
I found and reviewed a couple related questions, but I don't think this one has been asked. I also read Paul Graham's essays with some regularity. However, the essays seem to be centered around what to do once you have an idea, rather than how to find them in the first place. I'm familiar with some of the regional startup groups, weeken...
I am interested in finding out the experiences of those who at one time have come up with a neat software idea, maybe as a result of a hobby, dissertation, college project, etc and have developed it into their own business. Or maybe those that could not endure subordination, wanted to create something for themselves and have done so. I ...
I plan on starting a software business when I graduate and as such would like to get to know my community a little better. Plan on meeting with other people who are working along very similar lines. In the interest of not looking like a total idiot I want a few questions to ask when they can fit me in their schedules. Trying to get in...
We're trying to improve the format of our Monday morning meetings (M3). The meeting is among all members of our company (20 persons) including developers, designers, administrative and the company's president. It starts with a round-table of 1 word check-in (social) and then transitions into business aspects. We tried a project-focused...
So, you come up with an idea that seems to be a good solution for an existing problem, or a different approach for solving a problem which makes the existing solutions obsolete or not needed anymore. Then you devote yourself to googling for relevant documentation, making plans about setting up the project, finding fundings and people t...
What is the legal process for naming software products? We will be talking to lawyers at some point, but I'd like to know a little more about the process before spending a fortune on them. I realize that few, if any, people on here are lawyers, but if you've gone through any sort of legal process for naming your products, please share yo...
This question is more or less for Joel Spolsky, but if anyone else has an answer, they are welcome! If you ship the source code, like in FogBugz [1], and you allow the costumer to modify it; how do you avoid the costumer from unblocking how many users can use it (and thus, destroying your business model)? [1] I seem to recall when you ...
I'm making my venture into the small business world and I've got my first gig lined up. I was wondering if you guys had any advice or lessons learned from negotiating contracts for commissioned software? Are there any common pitfalls? How you come to agreement on the scope of work even when the client isn't sure of what they want? etc.. ...
My company is building an application that interoperates with a packaged application that our customers own. We don't have a good relationship with the package's vendor; they basically see us as competitors and wish we would die in a fire. My business partners are edgy about this, and have been suggesting that I remove all references t...
Previously asked as, this question, but now he actually asked the question. My company is building an application that interoperates with a packaged application that our customers own. We don't have a good relationship with the package's vendor; they basically see us as competitors and wish we would die in a fire. My business partners...
How can I differentiate a Workflow system from a normal application that automates some work? Are there any specific feature a system must have to be categorized as a workflow system? ...
Yesterday I asked a question about COBOL guy moving to modern platforms and I got some great answers. I was thinking about what kind of applications get built with java or .net? I know for sure that most corporate portals, blogs, discussion forms, surveys, tracking who registered which course, progress of your e-learning and stuff like ...
I've got an application which developed by employing TDD as methodology (not strictly but mostly). Now I want to outsource some parts of the application because I don't have enough time to develop it. I'm planning use websites such as "Rent A Coder", "elancer" etc. I don't want to give out my code to anyone else, so I'm planning to giv...
I developed an application, working fine and in a closed beta stage for last 1.5 years, it's been 3 years on development. Quite stable, full-featured and polished as well. It's a software for a certain market and can compete with other applications (only 5-10 decent applications exist in the same market). Simply put I believe in it and b...