User: kokomaster

Will this be reflected with metallic sun shades?

On: Riot Control Ray-Gun for Use in Iraq

I assume that the microwave can be reflect with metal sheets, so won't this be ineffective pretty soon after the first deployment?

Re:I couldn't put it down

On: Tuxedo Park

He was obviously a time-traveller who went back to stop the Nazi.

I'm doing an outsourced job from the US.

On: What Pitfalls Exist When Outsourcing Code?

Hi, I'm in Thailand. I'm doing development work for a US company. We have 25 developers here. We produce application software.

Here are some of my experiences as an outsourced developer:

Problems:

1. Vague specifications or frequently changed specs.

2. Time zone difference. I'm about 12-15 hours ahead of the US.

3. Expensive phone/fax cost.

Some solutions:

1. Daily build uploaded to the US server for the US people to check conformance to specs.

2. Use emails and instant messenger alot.

3. People from US comes by every 6 weeks or so to sync everything. ($600-$1000 coach seat.)

The labor cost is about 3-4 times smaller than the US labor cost. Internet connection is slow and expensive (dialup 128/64 kbps ADSL is reasonable--$10/day. Anything faster start around $1000 a month)

I used to have weekly build and there were a lot of problems because of the divergence between specs and products. Daily build is much, much better. Divergence is small enough to tolerate vague specs.

Basically, the more feedback/communication, the less surprising the end result.