The watched web programmer…..
UGH! Have you ever attempted to create a website? It’s got to be one of the most frustrating things in modern life. No matter what kind of relationship you have with a webprogrammer they ALWAYS end up lying to you. They lie about deadlines. They lie about costs. They lie about what they are doing, how much they are doing and when they will get it done. I have never worked in an industry which is so filled with people who lie to your face and feel ABSOLUTELY no remorse.
I used to think it was just the people that I work with - my luck. Yet when I talk to my friends and compatriots in web businesses, I find out that this is the norm. People who create websites simply have these personality traits. When I tell people we have been working on the site for a year and a half, they curl their lip, shrug their shoulders and say, “that’s how it is”.
And that creating a website is in fact one of the most frustrating things a person can do in modern life.
Someone should create a web business that adheres to it’s deadlines. They would make a killing.
Thanks for listening…. Maybe some day we’ll have a new, improved website to show for all of our efforts, but at this point, I kind of doubt it. If you would like to share your “I created a website and survived” stories, please email me at: claudia@opengrove.com.
Addendum March 25, 2005:
A bunch of people have emailed to find out what the heck I am talking about. Here’s a few anecdotal stories….(I know, I know you’re laughing with us…)
1. We hired this guy to do some database programming for us. He programmed a few systems, then insisted that we hire him to do the updates. Fine right? Well, the next thing that happened is that he was laid off a job and received a huge severence. He was then drunk for no less than 18 months. When he sobered up, he showed up as if nothing had happened and was enraged when we had hired someone to replace him.
2. We had this graphic person who would show up to meetings late. How late? Once he showed up 4 hours late, that’s right 4 hours. He was incensed when we told him we couldn’t rely on him.
3. Ever ask for a bid? That’s actually the situation that launched this blog. It seems like every time we ask for a bid, the bids are days, and sometimes weeks late. This happens with large companies, small companies, one-person shops… The weirdest thing is the response when I call and say, “you were going to give me a bid” and they act like I am interupting something.
4. This hasn’t happened to us…. Last year, we rescued 2 websites. It seems that our friends had their websites created by a company that promised updates and hosting included in their website design. The company then went out of business. After firing everyone, the owner left town without notifying anyone. Our friend had no idea until her url expired and her website went down. Luckily we were able to hack into the websites and move them to another server.
5. What about the arrogant programmer who had us pay him for the free software he installed? I don’t think I need to say anything more.
There’s more but why bother? We are lucky to have found people who are reliable and honest like our Webmaster Brian. It’s an amazing business this web-thing….
Filed under: Thoughts on being human....
