why does this keep happening?

Several months ago, I was contacted by a BLM office in New Mexico, asking if I was interested in assisting with some programming work. Naturally I said 'yes' and awaited the details.

Time passes.

Then, while on vacation at the beach last week, I get an email from the contact there, outlining a very specific programming need to a database. I analyzed what she sent, and said that it could probably be done in a day or two, and quoted her $750. She thought that was great.

Before anything could be signed, though, I asked her to write up a document, outlining in as much detail as possible, EXACTLY what she needed, so that there would be no misunderstandings. That document arrived in my inbox Monday morning, shortly followed by copies of the FOUR tightly-interlinked databases that are affected.

It didn't take too long for me to realize that the scope of what they want is FAR beyond a 2-day quickie. They are changing the fundamental plumbing of two major data components, that affect virtually every form, query, and report in all databases.

Oh, yes, they forgot to mention that they also want to amalgamate the data from three prior years' databases, and the various table structures have 'evolved' over the years.

Oh, yes, they forgot to mention that they need to go live October 1st, and that their programmer is still making changes to prepare for Oct 1, so the files they sent me earlier this week (to which I have been making my proof-of-concept changes) are not the final versions that my changes would need to go into.

So much for my original estimate. I am advising them to defer implementing anything I would write until their new Oct 1 version is installed and stable. Besides, I wouldn't want to be arriving at my hotel in Turkey, in mid-October, and receive a panic email that things are broken and need immediate attention.

Now, the only question is if they want me to go ahead and build what I can now. That would be OK with me. What a world!

----------------------------------------------

And now for something completely different.

I am currently advertising on craigslist my iPaq (no longer needed because of my SmartPhone) and a digital camera (no longer needed because I bought a better model that takes AA batteries, rather than needing an AC charger for its weird battery). Here's the best scam email received to date:

hy,

i want to buy your phone, i have 40$ , if you are agree with my offer !! please reply to me ,with your phone number to call you

thx

Gives you real confidence, doesn't it?

BTW, here and here are the craisglist items. I think I have a buyer for the iPaq this morning.