Ask Slashdot: How Long Should Devs Support Software Written For Clients?

lucky4udanny writes "My client says any software/website we develop for them should be supported with bug fixes forever, with no further compensation. We have generally supported our work for two months, to give the client adequate time for real-world testing, after which we charge by the hour for all support. How long should a company fix bugs without compensation in software they developed? What is the industry convention?"

Comments

Programming is like having sex without a condom...

[Anonymous Coward]

...one slip-up and you're gonna be supporting it for the rest of your life.

Prolly end up having to raise your own grandkids too.

Re:Your bugs.. your problem

[MrEricSir]

Why do you think people have/had problems with MS? Because they charge you to fix them.

Protip: If someone is charging you to use Windows Update, you're getting ripped off.

Re:Your bugs.. your problem

[radiumsoup]

sorry, I forgot to use the "tongue in cheek" font.

Re:Too late to be asking....

[Zaelath]

As a small company you simply agree that your company will support the software in perpetuity, then disband that company when the support costs hit a pre-determined point, and start a new one with the same people. The liability for the support dies with the old company.

Hey, don't blame me for corporations law.

Re:Too late to be asking For the client too!

[Smallpond]

I'm surprised you don't know these. I learned the standards when I first started programming. For example:

• Every line must fit on an 80-column card.
• Continuation character goes in column 6.

Have these changed?

Re:Too late to be asking....

[JWSmythe]

    Give MS a call, and tell them you found a critical security bug in Windows that you need fixed. Then tell them it's a DEC Alpha with WinNT 4.0 Server. Make sure you record it, I want to hear the laughter. :)