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While I‘m not a big lan of applying military terms to areas of technology, I‘m sure most of us have experienced a lack of clarity when dealâ€" ing with some form of techâ€" nology. I‘ll call this the "fog of software". We make an attempt to direct our comâ€" puters to do something useâ€" ful for us, we try to program our VCR to tape a show â€" but sometimes all of our efforts are in vain because we jus® don‘t have the inforâ€" mation that we need to push the right buttons. ost of us have heard Mul the phrase "fog of war"‘. hi refers to the lack of clarity and uncerâ€" tainty on the battefield due to a shortage of good inforâ€" mation. Have you ever struggled with your word processor? Here is a typical conversaâ€" tion that 1 might have with this piece of software on a good day: "Why did you capitalize that word for me? It doesn‘t start a new senâ€" tence. It‘s not a proper name. And what did you do with the formatting of my paragraph when 1 wasn‘t looking? 1 didn‘t want it in Heading 3 style." I hope that you will note the conversation is not biâ€" directional. I‘m betting the conversation would be even more frustrating when comâ€" puters eventually do talk back. The rate of technology change invariably adds to the haze. Just when you think that you have a system figured out, you‘ll need to upgrade to stay current or to keep your service contract. Nespa® and Praggie® are regastered frademarks of Praggia Group. Canadian Seooter C orp and members of its dealer network are heensed users of these marks Ohev lecal trathc safety laws and always weat a helmet: appropmate evewear and pmper apparel ol l Vespac VespaAT2â€"ssq _ WW Vespo \_ _» _ TK GHM;E\EE? 4199 4. ET4 â€" 150@ F & C f $ !‘%m‘ 5499 _ VESPA KW 300 Homer Watson Blvd. (KW Mitsubishi) wolfgang.koekler@kwmitsubishi.com *plus applicable taxes. freight. pdi The fog of software This constant need to update your software, couâ€" pled with the need to upgrade hardware as a result might be good for the industry and economy, but it can keep the average conâ€" sumer stumbling for direcâ€" tions in the mist, Since software is increasâ€" ingly being used to aid design, build and become the brains for the products that surround us on a daily basis, it is well worth taking a moment to reflect. If you think it is hard for you to use the software, imagine creatâ€" ing and maintaining it. In today‘s edition of the Waterloo Chronicle, incorrect information was published by the Ontario Toyota Dealers "05 Drive" freeâ€"standing insert advertisement. The 2005 Toyota Camry LE listed the vehicle as having an AM/FM Stereo CD Cassette â€" Cassette is not available on this model. The advertisement should have stated AM/FM Stereo CD. CORRECTION NOTICE There is an incredible 571â€"2828 We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. amount of work that goes into designing, coding, testâ€" ing, documenting and supâ€" porting software. . The processes of creating softâ€" ware can be as diverse as the number of people that write code. And it is no simple task to coordinate all of the people and jobs that are required to get the work done. EDS once described managing software proâ€" grammers as "herding cats". While I believe such an analogy is a bit drastic, it does point to the difficulty of task at hand. Since 1 work in the softâ€" ware industry, I have the opportunity (and obligaâ€" tion} to shine some light through the fog that 1 describe. with the pressures placed on software compaâ€" nies like increased competiâ€" tion and tight deadlines, it is no wonder that there are the occasional few bugs that "slip through the cracks". That might mean finding or fixing a bug, writing clear documentation or helping a customer on the support line. 1 implore everyone in the software industry to seek out and listen to the people they really work for â€" their customers. If you are a "super user" of a software product, conâ€" sider sharing your expertise through an online forum. Even beginning users can work together to lift mist. Join or start a user group, and help out your fellow "fogmates". For the consumers of software, you can speak with your wallet. Ask for the best deal possible for the money you spend, and demand the best quality. Choose open source or freeware products if they suit your needs. Michael Hiemstra curâ€" rently works in the computer software industry as a Qualiâ€" ty Assurance Developer. He can be contacted at bitâ€" soflife@mghiemstra.com for column suggestions. 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