A short note on software development.

I don't talk about my job much on here. Mostly because it'd bore people to tears, and I do quite enough of that without resorting to arcane, technical, jabber.

However, I've had a bit of an epiphany today, regarding what my goal, as a software developer should be.

While working with a certain, unnamed state agency's data submission software, and processes, I've grown accustomed to the near-constant urge to punch someone in the face. Hence, my goal from now on, is:

Write software that doesn't make the user want to punch you in the face.

Doesn't get much more simple than that really, and that encompasses most all aspects of software development.

Security: "Dammit! All my personal information is public now, 'cause those idiots' website got hacked. I'd really like to punch those guys in the face."

Usability: "Geezus! This interface blows! I'd like to find the guy that wrote this and punch him in the face."

Reliability: "If this program crashes on me one more time, I swear I'm gonna hunt down whoever wrote it and punch them in the face!"

Insert whatever aspect of the user experience you can think of, and this adage covers it.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go to Sacramento and punch someone in the face.