• Edward Royce (unregistered) in reply to Zab Brannigan
    Zab Brannigan:
    If you want to change the world join the peace corp. If you want to be happy working in IT, you have to learn to be satisfied just getting your tabs to line up. Maybe you should look into a job in construction.

    I should do both cause my winders are never square. I swaer!

    :)

  • Erik (unregistered) in reply to Duke of New York
    Duke of New York:
    People don't seem to appreciate here that the CEO had likely been on the receiving end of the dev team's nonsense much longer than the new guy. He isn't the villain.

    He may well have been in the right to be frustrated, but screaming at people in a business environment is never the right decision. If the people who work under you frustrate you to such a great degree that you find yourself losing it like that on any kind of a regular basis, you need to either get counseling or find more competent workers.

  • (cs) in reply to webrunner
    webrunner:
    Well, if Heroes tought me anything it's that Primatech is a front for a conspiracy. They wouldnt want anything actually coming out of it.

    What would they need anything else for? They can lock up any superpowered being they want.

    Bad idea to let Sylar out, though.

  • Asiago Chow (unregistered) in reply to Duke of New York
    Duke of New York:
    Asiago Chow:
    The real WTF is that the protagonist in the story didn't go to the CEO and say, "Bob (Your name is Bob, right?), you need a new dev manager.
    You're talking about a guy who has been in the company for 6 months and doesn't have that kind of cred. He might be able to get the CEO to lean on the dev manager so that he starts making decisions, but fire him? No way.

    It's kind of like going around asking people if they wanna screw....you are going to get slapped (metaphorically if not physically) most of the time... but most isn't all and the exceptions are worth considering.

    In one case I was told that junior people don't know the realities of management (in other words "know your place, peon"). I quit a few months after that and 5 years later got a call from the CEO asking me to come back, take over the department I'd offered to take over, and rescue the company. I did (but it wasn't just a 50% bump at that point) and it worked out quite well...he was able to sell the company for a non-zero amount because of my efforts and everyone won.

    In another case the CEO was all for it, but, "I can't fire him, he's a part owner in the company."

    I haven't actually seen it truly work work but I'm sure if I kept trying that little stunt I'd finally find a CEO without an excuse. I haven't had cause to pull that trick in a while though.

  • Valdez (unregistered) in reply to Charles400

    really man, if it didn't there would be no WTF!

  • (cs) in reply to Asiago Chow
    Asiago Chow:
    It's kind of like going around asking people if they wanna screw... but I'm sure if I kept trying that little stunt I'd finally find a CEO without an excuse.
    Wow, dude, let us know when you do!
  • dr_w00t (unregistered)

    Why didn't the lead dev implement the changes??

  • CoyneT (unregistered) in reply to dr_w00t
    dr_w00t:
    Why didn't the lead dev implement the changes??

    Because things hadn't "stablized yet".

    By which I bet he meant the old catch-22: "WHEN the development gets done on time and we aren't buried in work and the software isn't swiss cheese with bugs THEN we'll consider improving the development process."

    Why not change it? Lack of time. Why lack of time? Because we don't change it. Why not change it? Lack of time. Why lack of time? Because we don't change it. ...

    ...ad sickitum..

  • Duke of New York (unregistered) in reply to CoyneT
    CoyneT:
    dr_w00t:
    Why didn't the lead dev implement the changes??

    Because things hadn't "stablized yet".

    or, he's intentionally holding onto a broken process so he can avoid doing any real work.

    I mean, most of these ideas take some work to implement, but to continue using a 30-minute build script when a better build system is already set up and ready to go? That settles it.

  • Barf4Eva (unregistered) in reply to snoofle
    snoofle:
    Ha, As for our hero, methinks his 7th winning idea was to leave the company.

    Haha, no doubt about it! Although I miss the small company atmosphere...

    Dealing directly with customers (ouch), getting yelled at by the General Manager when nobody even understands a bit of what goes on in "that other world"... Deadlines set without any input from the developers... No specifications.

    Ha, that aside: I do miss the ability to work unhindered, without being wrapped in so much red tape you can barely flick the mouse over to submit that one line of code that you are 100% CERTAIN won't destroy anything. Software gets bloated by fast-paced demands without the time spent to work off the fat. A multitude of years spent bloating, where it grows as fast as Corporate desires it to! Call me sadistic, but I kinda enjoy it. (You get some wicked spaghetti, let me tell you)

    Then again, I do like the processes at the large Corporation. Once you know how to follow along, it is actually not that bad. I mostly regret losing the power I once had, to create from scratch, full-scale applications with only a couple other developers.

    Tough decisions...

    Stress & Fun vs. Less Stress & Less Fun...

  • lokey (unregistered) in reply to Shoot me!
    Shoot me!:
    ObiWayneKenobi:
    Why can't these imbeciles go out of business like they deserve, instead of continuing to thrive and prosper despite being idiots?

    Lehman Brothers anyone?

    After 158 years, management has probably changed, bringing a new "get rich now, and screw the log term" attitude to the company - oh wait, like everyone else...

  • Chris (unregistered) in reply to Barf4Eva
    Barf4Eva:
    snoofle:
    Ha, As for our hero, methinks his 7th winning idea was to leave the company.

    Haha, no doubt about it! Although I miss the small company atmosphere...

    Dealing directly with customers (ouch), getting yelled at by the General Manager when nobody even understands a bit of what goes on in "that other world"... Deadlines set without any input from the developers... No specifications

    Ah yes, the beauties of working for a small company. One of my favorites has always been getting assignments directly from one of the partners, who decided that because they need it right now, there is no point in going through the CTO to get it approved before being placed on my desk. There's nothing quite as fear-inspiring as saying "... but [CTO] said ..." and getting the response "I don't care what [CTO] said, I want this done NOW!"

    Sometimes you almost wish you had some middle management as a buffer to these C?O's.

    That being said, I think small companies are way more likely to be chocked full of WTF's. If they did things right, they wouldn't stay small for long, would they?

  • (cs) in reply to Chris
    Chris:
    One of my favorites has always been getting assignments directly from one of the partners, who decided that because they need it right now, there is no point in going through the CTO to get it approved before being placed on my desk.
    That brings back bad memories.

    I've never found a good way of dealing with it. My first approach, going to my immediate manager and saying "The CTO gave me this work", was stymied by the CTO saying "Don't tell your boss anything, just do the job."

    Now I have many years of experience and self-confidence, my response would be something like "if you're not happy for my boss to know what you are doing then that makes me think that you are doing something underhanded, something I want no part of. In any case, my manager sets my time schedule and if you are adding to my workload then I am obliged to tell my manager so he can readjust my schedule." Of course, now that I have years of experience and self-confidence, the top managers don't pull this stunt on me.

    B

  • Bo, the ancient mainframer (unregistered) in reply to immitto
    immitto:
    The moral really is that software can only be developed correctly in non-WTF-ridden companies.

    We're doomed!

  • ron (unregistered)

    Evil IT Resources page http://resursi.wordpress.com (IT management in Eastern Europe, HR, politics and other things)

  • (cs)

    Sounds familiar too. When I started my current job I was shocked that there was no established workflow control system, nothing to keep track of builds except after they are finalized and submitted to carriers (I work with mobile apps, so we create about 120 seperate ports of each title). QA consisted of sending an e-mail to a lone tester, who would more often than not, delete the e-mail or build file (which you would then have to rebuild). I could go on with the lack of things we had, but you get the idea. Eventually I developed my own build management software during breaks, to make my life easier, and regularly presented it to various people in the department (mainly the Technical director). The answer was always "Wow that looks really useful. You're right, we need to improve the way we do things. I'll look into you system in more detail later, once we've got less to do".

    After about a year, I decided that I just don't care anymore. I no longer make suggestions for improvements... if they want to do things a stupid and inefficient way, I'm happy to ablige. Hoping to hear back from my latest job aplications now...

  • Mobile guru (unregistered) in reply to Claxon

    Claxon, no WTF here. 120 mobile ports means they are J2ME, so you can't get benefits from using control systems. Typical mobile projects are "fire-and-forget", most of them doesn't need to be supported. With average development time 2-3 months, and single person code owning, there is no need to overhead. We working here for YEARS and still leading mobile developers. Just network share and .bat files ;)

  • (cs) in reply to shadowman
    shadowman:
    akatherder:
    Here's a great idea. Fart in a grocery bag and put it over the development manager's head.
    I don't know why but that made me burst out laughing. I must have a pretty immature sense of humor.
    It would appear that you do know why after all... ;^)
  • Benjamin (unregistered)

    I have a briliant idea what to write to this comment. I am sure, you will make a best comment contest only to declare me a winner.

    A will write it just when things stabilize a bit.

  • (cs) in reply to Mobile guru

    Oh yes you CAN work without them - I'm at a well known publisher, that's been working this way for years. At my last job, producing new ports was essentially a few clicks - we had a database of handset specs that fed into the build system and configured most of the build itself, then uploaded each build onto our server. Now on the other hand, it's a big manual process and so much of my time is spent resending builds that have been lost or misplaced. Bug reports were made by the tester approaching the programmer and telling us. If we are very, VERY lucky, he'll also type the bug into an e-mail...

    I'd quit but the grief I'd get from my family for leaving without a replacement job would probbly be more stressful than staying. It's a very close call though. Don't you just hate mobile games?

  • whitespace (unregistered) in reply to Zab Brannigan
    Zab Brannigan:
    If you want to change the world join the peace corp. If you want to be happy working in IT, you have to learn to be satisfied just getting your tabs to line up. Maybe you should look into a job in construction.

    Ive got Tabs on Irish girl.....now if i can just get them to line up i will be happy ;)

  • (cs) in reply to Code Dependent
    Code Dependent:
    This comment will be posted as soon as things stabilize a bit.

    I propose the above comment be posted now so that things can stabilise....

  • Mobile guru (unregistered) in reply to Claxon
    Claxon:
    Don't you just hate mobile games?
    I LOVE them ;) BTW, from my past experience, publishers targeted to sell, not develop. Look for developing companies... Better not "pure porting" ones ;)
  • BrianK (unregistered)

    OMG! I was John at my last company! And the one before that too! The author must be stalking me. :)

  • ContraCorners (unregistered) in reply to snoofle
    snoofle:
    As for our hero, methinks his 7th winning idea was to leave the company.

    8th. Just becuare Primatech didn't "reward" idea #7 doesn't mean it wasn't good.

  • ContraCorners (unregistered) in reply to Duke of New York
    Duke of New York:
    People don't seem to appreciate here that the CEO had likely been on the receiving end of the dev team's nonsense much longer than the new guy. He isn't the villain.

    True. But one would like to think that the CEO could find a more effective way of addressing / remediating the "dev team's nonsense." Who works for who (whom?) after?

  • Teh Irish Gril Riot (unregistered)

    Obviously the inner cadre of the development team are conspiring to drive the CEO completely and utterly insane. "Gaslighting" him, if you will.

    Perhaps John's manager has his eye on an executive spot, and the CEO is standing in the way of his promotion. Maybe the CEO was rogering the dev manager's wife. Or, perhaps the CEO is a communist sympathizer and the dev team has been populated with CIA who are slowly and subtlely steering the poor CEO into a heart attack.

  • (cs) in reply to Benjamin
    Benjamin:
    I have a briliant idea what to write to this comment. I am sure, you will make a best comment contest only to declare me a winner.

    No way to win if you don't spell brilliant right. It's "brillant" over here. :)

  • itsmo (unregistered) in reply to ContraCorners
    ContraCorners:
    snoofle:
    As for our hero, methinks his 7th winning idea was to leave the company.

    8th. Just becuare Primatech didn't "reward" idea #7 doesn't mean it wasn't good.

    Anyway a hundred bucks for the 'monthly greatest idea' - what a load of patronising sh!t

  • (cs) in reply to Taz
    Taz:
    No way to win if you don't spell brilliant right. It's "brillant" over here. :)
    Yeah, that's like guys posting "First!" -- clueless.
  • anonymous coward (unregistered)

    Once you are unafraid to quit your done, you are free to do anything. If the guy was willing to quit, why not ignore the boss and just implement the idea? What exactly was he waiting for or were these suggestion too time intensive to simply implement? It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permissions. And if you already want to quit, well, when you have nothing to lose you are free to do ANYTHING.

  • Cluster Dave (unregistered)

    LOL, things are not always as they appear. Never have been, never will be. Smoke and mirrors in the beginning.

    Jiff http://www.anonymize.us.tc

  • Iconoclast (unregistered)

    "Oh oh oh! I have the bestest mostest greatestest idea ever!"

    "Fire the development manager for incompetence!"

    "Ok, where's my $100?"

    "Clean out my desk? What do you mean? It's already clean."

  • Max (unregistered)

    Well, don't keep us in suspense... did he win $100 for his excellent idea of leaving the company?

    Captcha: eros

  • PB (unregistered)

    This is because developers are idiots. If they were smart, their jobs wouldn't be going to India. Just sayin'.

  • Anonymous Coward (unregistered)

    Greatest idea of the month contest results in me implimenting one decent idea a month and farting around the other 27-30 days, as opposed to implementing "great" ideas constantly until a sane development environment is reached.

  • Duke of New York (unregistered) in reply to anonymous coward
    anonymous coward:
    Once you are unafraid to quit your done, you are free to do anything. If the guy was willing to quit, why not ignore the boss and just implement the idea?
    You haven't really thought this through.
  • Franz Kafka (unregistered) in reply to Duke of New York
    Duke of New York:
    anonymous coward:
    Once you are unafraid to quit your done, you are free to do anything. If the guy was willing to quit, why not ignore the boss and just implement the idea?
    You haven't really thought this through.

    Is this the part where the CEO threatens to slaughter your girlfriend, butler, and assorted random people in the restaurant?

  • NotTheDroidYou'reLookingFor (unregistered) in reply to whitespace
    whitespace:
    Ive got Tabs on Irish girl.....now if i can just get them to line up i will be happy ;)
    Get your filthy tabs off her you damned dirty ape!
  • (cs) in reply to Franz Kafka
    Franz Kafka:
    Duke of New York:
    anonymous coward:
    Once you are unafraid to quit your done, you are free to do anything. If the guy was willing to quit, why not ignore the boss and just implement the idea?
    You haven't really thought this through.

    Is this the part where the CEO threatens to slaughter your girlfriend, butler, and assorted random people in the restaurant?

    Now with registered goodness (some schmuck took my username)

  • (cs) in reply to PB
    PB:
    This is because developers are idiots. If they were smart, their jobs wouldn't be going to India. Just sayin'.
    Never mind; the job market's okay. There is suddenly a huge demand for people to teach tech support in India how to speak comprehensible English.
  • (cs) in reply to Code Dependent
    Code Dependent:
    PB:
    This is because developers are idiots. If they were smart, their jobs wouldn't be going to India. Just sayin'.
    Never mind; the job market's okay. There is suddenly a huge demand for people to teach tech support in India how to speak comprehensible English.

    That'd be a hoot - how long can you last teaching them to talk like a rap video? Alternately, upper class english twit...

  • dube (unregistered)

    that story is like a thriller without any hint to the murder. We miss the big "why"!

  • dube (unregistered) in reply to Franz_Kafka
    Franz_Kafka:
    Code Dependent:
    PB:
    This is because developers are idiots. If they were smart, their jobs wouldn't be going to India. Just sayin'.
    Never mind; the job market's okay. There is suddenly a huge demand for people to teach tech support in India how to speak comprehensible English.

    That'd be a hoot - how long can you last teaching them to talk like a rap video? Alternately, upper class english twit...

    quite a long time - i would say ... did you ever try to talk like a rap video while gritting your teeth?

  • el mundo (unregistered) in reply to dube

    PB:This is because developers are idiots. If they were smart, their jobs wouldn't be going to India. Just sayin'. ...........................................................

    What BS! It's a cost thing is it not. You get 3 (crap) developers in India for the price of a starbucks in the uk.

    On the original post... don't be bullied at work.. either by big tough managerial bullies, or cheeky wee techy brain bullies.

    Ask them into the car park and kick seven colours of sh1t from them

    EOR

    El Mundo

  • happy (sleepy, too) (unregistered)

    I am working at a fantastic workplace -- despite my boss (founder, CTO) written the very first version he stopped coding years ago and listens and like sensible change. Just saying. And yes, it's a small place. And yes, we use svn, trac and common sense :)

  • Karen (unregistered) in reply to Code Dependent

    The idea of demistration here is very vag. To get serious people to respond appropriately on a serious topic you may try putting emphasis on the specific topic you are trying to get ideas from. I have had over 250 inventions and creations I have thought up and designed only because my mind works in design to do so however, each design has a plan and every plan has meaning. To have no meaning and no plan of action of what you are trying to get ideas on, builds up alot of horse container of nothingness. (if i am to out there on this forgive me)... An example, an idea on saving money, start with recycle as most people do, then on bottom line essentials and then waist time and company money but what they dont realize is improvements speed up time and create money as well as developement, organization and customer relations skills of continuous improvement backed by stablitiy and long term goals to make a company performance rating top the roof. people never see those things. An idea on a car is a window that glides down instead of rolls or falls and how old are window wipers, whos inventing(continued)

  • Karen (unregistered) in reply to Karen

    Ok, I have not had a name for myself or the money to back any of my ideas up being poor but one thing I have learned over the years is never give up. From Paint on nails... invented 7 yrs after i wondered why we dont do that, to tree wrap that decomposes and wears out as the tree grows to the lap top with a removeable cordless monitor, to the coffee cup that warms itself, and the truck that seats 50 in the back for transporting troops from one place to another, inventions are all over the place we just havent invented them yet. If someone wants ideas, I would be more than willing to make a company grow while protection of my life with stable funding as a goal oriented person would have done many years ago. Ideas are out there. Choose wisely where you get them off of. It's about the choice... design, build, create goes with power, decision, choice. know where your heart lies. you decide. try to find what can not be found. -looking for more writer,designer, artist, poet, operator, observationist and knowing an improvement can be made in feeling inside, trainer of all, and more... [email protected] facebook karen koca

  • Karen (unregistered) in reply to Edward Royce

    Sometimes the worlds best idea is the simplest, such as set a list of ideas for every idea about to be made. Create, Design, Plan, and more. The average inventor would look at 100 dollars as nothing for an invention that would make a million dollar revenue. Look at the stock market, a list of money dollars and cents in and out of a corporation that goes up and down when one could choose to be all the more creative in investment of money in form of relocation status of funding provided by money market accounts in the us and abroad. The world is a crazy messed up place where one wave washes away dollars and every minute someone reaches out for more, breath in the air and light up the sun, travel on wheels is not necessary there is more to be done! "---look at the moon, !!!go father!!!. dont be like everyone else! life does not stop there" -karen m. koca

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