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Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:08:29 -0400
From: Ernest Christley <echristley@nc.rr.com>
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To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Subject: [Fwd: Re: AeroElectric-List: Re: Software attitudes]
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Forwarded by popular demand (Ed'd popular and he demanded it   8*)
{Several typos corrected}

-------- Original Message --------

Applaud! Applaud!  Great insight, Ernest.  Should post this on the Rotary 
list just for our general info.

Ed

Ed Anderson
Rv-6A N494BW Rotary Powered
Matthews, NC
eanderson@carolina.rr.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ernest Christley" <echristley@nc.rr.com>
To: <aeroelectric-list@matronics.com>
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 10:44 AM
Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: AeroElectric-List Digest: 26 Msgs - 06/24/06


> --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Ernest Christley 
> <echristley@nc.rr.com>
>
> AeroElectric-List Digest Server wrote:
>
>>The AI NEVER stabilizes there is a slow tumble until I see either nothing 
>>but sky or ground.  NEVER STABILIZING!
>>
>>Has anyone ever run across this problem and if so what was the cause and 
>>cure?
>>
>>It has been suggested that I perform two (2) operations:
>>1 - Upgrade the Software from Ver 2.21 to Ver 2.64
>>2 - Hook up the keyboard and do a Warm System reboot from the keyboard
>>
>>What are your thoughts?  Does this sound like a cure?  Of course the 
>>software upgrade is required and will be done.
>>
>>Barry
>>"Chop'd Liver"
>>
>>
> I work in the software industry as a Quality Assurance Engineer, ie. I 
> test software.  I've written a lot of software.  I've met a lot of 
> software engineers.  I've worked for several software companies. 
> There is a wide range of attitudes when it comes to software.
>
> At one end of the spectrum is the companies/engineers that treat software 
> and the requisite hardware as an appliance.  The software is tied 
> intimately to the hardware, and a breakage in one signifies a breakage in 
> the other.  A breakage in either signifies a breakage in the organization. 
> Code is meticulously maintained, and every last detail of the 
> software/hardware combination is tested as much as humanly possible before 
> shipping to the customer.  The engineers tend to be very experienced and 
> 'slow moving'.  The code is not expected to break when delivered to QA. 
> The best example I have personal experience with is IBM's mainframe 
> networking division.
> The other end of the spectrum is what I like to call "The Microsoft 
> Generation".  Code is whipped out using long tool chains built on top of 
> libraries written by someone else.  I meet lots of these engineers 
> building database frontends to generate reports to management.  The 
> criteria for these engineers  is that they generate a disposable app 
> quickly and move on to the next project.  They are conditioned to value a 
> new glitzy widget over solid engineering.  Code unit test is an 
> afterthought at best, and if it does happen it consist of being able to 
> generate a report on a couple sets of data at most.  These guys deliver 
> stuff to QA with the idea that the test team will tell them what is wrong 
> with the code.  I call it the Microsoft Generation, because that company 
> has been the forerunner in preaching that hiring competent, seasoned 
> engineers is uneccessary with their software.  Software is complex and 
> should be expected to break, they preach, but their tool set will enable a 
> cheap college grad that works around the clock for Coke and pizza to 
> spit out polished applications to run the enterprise.  Widgets, "new 
> features" and just more eye-candy can be added ad nauseum, quickly and 
> easily.
>
> The Microsoft Generation is OK for generating reports to management.  I'll 
> even abide letting them build a video game or two.  But I want real 
> engineers writing any software that I will be letting my butt ride on.
>
> I talked to Blue Mountain and Dynon at Sun-n-Fun.  The question I had in 
> mind was, "If I were an QA engineer at this company, what would the 
> development team deliver to me for testing?"  The Dynon unit booted 
> quickly and showed a simple display.  I got the "feel" that the software 
> was written for the hardware, and the hardware was designed for the 
> software.  The BMA unit seemed to take forever to boot up, complete with 
> splash screen to keep the user occupied reading copyright information 
> while it did a digital dance behind the scenes.  (BTW, a "splash screen" 
> is a red flag that someone from the Microsoft Generation is behind the 
> scenes.  How is it helpful, except to show more eye-candy?  And copyright? 
> What am I going to do, run the stuff on my PC?)  I got the distinct 
> feeling that BMA engineers would expect me to tell them what was wrong 
> with it, while the Dynon folks would only expect me to verify that it 
> works as they designed it.
>
> My thoughts?  The fact that the BMA is designed for "quick upgrades" is a 
> glaring red flag.  The thing is a limited function device.  It should work 
> out of the box.  The in-field "quick upgrade" tells me that BMA is using 
> you as a beta tester.  The fact that it doesn't work out of the box tells 
> me that either the hardware or software is broken.  Being that this is the 
> real world, I can accept hardware being broken.  Things break in 
> shipping...not every IC is tested off the assembly line..etc.  But the 
> fact that a 'software fix' is available gives me the thought that the 
> development organization needs a fix.
>
> -- 
>         ,|"|"|,              Ernest Christley       |
> ----===<{{(oQo)}}>===----    Dyke Delta Builder      |
>        o|  d  |o        http://ernest.isa-geek.org  |


-- 
         ,|"|"|,              Ernest Christley       |
----===<{{(oQo)}}>===----    Dyke Delta Builder      |
        o|  d  |o        http://ernest.isa-geek.org  |