Oh, man, I just realized I haven't ranted one of my best stories on here!

So, here goes!

A few years back the company I work for was contacted by an older client regarding a new project.

The guy was now pitching to build the website for the Parliament of another country (not gonna name it, NDAs and stuff), and was planning on outsourcing the development, as he had no team and he was only aiming on taking care of the client service/project management side of the project.

Out of principle (and also to preserve our mental integrity), we have purposely avoided working with government bodies of any kind, in any country, but he was a friend of our CEO and pleaded until we singed on board.

Now, the project itself was way bigger than we expected, as the wanted more of an internal CRM, centralized document archive, event management, internal planning, multiple interfaced, role based access restricted monster of an administration interface, complete with regular user website, also packed with all kind of features, dashboards and so on.

Long story short, a lot bigger than what we were expecting based on the initial brief.

The development period was hell. New features were coming in on a weekly basis. Already implemented functionality was constantly being changed or redefined. No requests we ever made about clarifications and/or materials or information were ever answered on time.

They also somehow bullied the guy that brought us the project into also including the data migration from the old website into the new one we were building and we somehow ended up having to extract meaningful, formatted, sanitized content parsing static HTML files and connecting them to download-able files (almost every page in the old website had files available to download) we needed to also include in a sane way.

Now, don't think the files were simple URL paths we can trace to a folder/file path, oh no!!! The links were some form of hash combination that had to be exploded and tested against some king of database relationship tables that only had hashed indexes relating to other tables, that also only had hashed indexes relating to some other tables that kept a database of the website pages HTML file naming. So what we had to do is identify the files based on a combination of hashed indexes and re-hashed HTML file names that in the end would give us a filename for a real file that we had to then search for inside a list of over 20 folders not related to one another.

So we did this. Created a script that processed the hell out of over 10000 HTML files, database entries and files and re-indexed and re-named all this shit into a meaningful database of sane data and well organized files.

So, with this we were nearing the finish line for the project, which by now exceeded the estimated time by over to times.

We test everything, retest it all again for good measure, pack everything up for deployment, simulate on a staging environment, give the final client access to the staging version, get them to accept that all requirements are met, finish writing the documentation for the codebase, write detailed deployment procedure, include some automation and testing tools also for good measure, recommend production setup, hardware specs, software versions, server side optimization like caching, load balancing and all that we could think would ever be useful, all with more documentation and instructions.

As the project was built on PHP/MySQL (as requested), we recommended a Linux environment for production. Oh, I forgot to tell you that over the development period they kept asking us to also include steps for Windows procedures along with our regular documentation. Was a bit strange, but we added it in there just so we can finish and close the damn project.

So, we send them all the above and go get drunk as fuck in celebration of getting rid of them once and for all...

Next day: hung over, I get to the office, open my laptop and see on new email. I only had the one new mail, so I open it to see what it's about.

Lo and behold! The fuckers over in the other country that called themselves "IT guys", and were the ones making all the changes and additions to our requirements, were not capable enough to follow step by step instructions in order to deploy the project on their servers!!!

[Continues in the comments]

Might as well start off with the weekly event!
My favourite famous programmer I reckon is Sir Tim Berners-Lee, because without the work of him and his colleagues at CERN, we'd probably be struggling to talk about our favourite programmers with other people around the world - we might even still be dialing into Minitel and BBSes

Come to a weekly deep learning meet up this morning 8.30AM. The event start at 10 AM.  While waiting I read news and play some game. As time near 10 o'clock I had strange feeling: The guest room so quiet, just me and 2 security guy.

Okay I think comittee that run this event a bit late because of traffc jam and I wait more. In the end the committee didn’t even show until 10.30AM. Later I found on another data science group today's event is postponed and I go home.

WHY DIDNT YOU GUYS MAKE ANNOUNCEMENT ON SLACK? YOU WASTE MY TIME WAITING 2 HOURS

suggestion?

Maybe we can have some sort of weekly rantcast podcast (maybe with @dfox hosting it or something through Google Hangouts) where we talk about certain topics and let a group of ranters take the word or something. Not sure if anyone would be interested or would listen to it but it sounded like a good idea to me (it would also grant the ability for people who don't live in NYC or in the US to kind of meet other ranters more personally and stuff like that)

Thoughts on this?

Pro Master Cleaners: Your Premier Cleaning Service in Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota

At Pro Master Cleaners, we understand that a clean home or office is essential for creating a comfortable, healthy, and productive environment. Whether you need move in cleaning near me, Sarasota office cleaning, move out cleaning Sarasota, or Sarasota deep cleaning, we have the expertise to meet all your cleaning needs. Conveniently located at 9040 Town Center Parkway, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202, our team proudly serves Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and surrounding areas, delivering exceptional results every time.

Comprehensive Cleaning Services for Every Need
We offer a wide range of cleaning services to suit both residential and commercial properties. Whether you're moving into a new home, moving out of an apartment, or need a professional cleaning for your office, Pro Master Cleaners has you covered. Here are some of our most popular services:

Move In Cleaning Near Me
Moving into a new home is an exciting process, but it’s essential to ensure that your new space is clean and welcoming. If you’re searching for move in cleaning near me, Pro Master Cleaners is here to provide a thorough cleaning service to make your new home sparkling clean and ready for your arrival. Our team will clean every corner of your new space, from deep-cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms to wiping down walls, windows, and floors. With our move in cleaning, you can settle into your new home with peace of mind, knowing that everything is fresh and sanitized.

Sarasota Office Cleaning
A clean and well-maintained office space can boost productivity, create a professional atmosphere, and ensure a healthy work environment for your employees. Pro Master Cleaners offers expert Sarasota office cleaning services tailored to meet the needs of your business. Whether you run a small office or a large commercial building, our team is equipped to handle everything from dusting and vacuuming to sanitizing high-touch surfaces and cleaning restrooms. We offer flexible scheduling options to minimize disruption to your business operations and ensure that your office always looks its best.

Office Cleaning Sarasota
Maintaining a clean office space is crucial for employee well-being and making a positive impression on clients. If you’re in need of office cleaning Sarasota, look no further than Pro Master Cleaners. Our office cleaning services are designed to ensure that your workplace remains clean, organized, and welcoming. We offer routine cleaning services that include sweeping, mopping, trash removal, and disinfecting high-touch areas. Whether you need weekly, bi-weekly, or one-time cleaning services, we’ll work around your schedule to keep your office in pristine condition.

Sarasota Deep Cleaning
Sometimes a standard cleaning just isn't enough. If you're looking for Sarasota deep cleaning, Pro Master Cleaners offers a comprehensive service that goes beyond surface cleaning to target dirt, grime, and dust in the most hard-to-reach places. Our deep cleaning service is ideal for those looking for a thorough clean of their home, office, or commercial property. We focus on areas like baseboards, behind appliances, and under furniture, ensuring that every inch of your space is spotless. Whether it's for spring cleaning, preparing for a special event, or just to refresh your environment, our deep cleaning service will leave your space looking brand new.

Move Out Cleaning Sarasota
Moving out can be a stressful time, and the last thing you want to worry about is cleaning. That’s where Pro Master Cleaners comes in. We specialize in move out cleaning Sarasota, providing a comprehensive cleaning service to ensure your space is spotless before you leave. Whether you're renting or selling, our team will handle everything from scrubbing floors and cleaning windows to sanitizing the kitchen and bathrooms. Our goal is to leave the space looking pristine so you can focus on your move. We also offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your moving timeline.

Why Choose Pro Master Cleaners?
Experienced Cleaning Professionals: Our team is trained and experienced in handling all types of cleaning tasks, ensuring that your space is cleaned to the highest standards.

Customizable Services: Whether you need move out cleaning, office cleaning, or deep cleaning, we tailor our services to meet your specific needs.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products: We use environmentally safe cleaning products that are effective yet gentle on your surroundings.

Flexible Scheduling: We offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate your busy life or business hours, ensuring minimal disruption.

Affordable Pricing: At Pro Master Cleaners, we offer competitive pricing without compromising on the quality of our work. You’ll get excellent value for your cleaning investment.