Hello Joseph and all,
With a software suite as large as Keysoft it is hard to imagine
that it is one large lump of code. Rather, most likely it is a
collection of smaller dll (library) modules that are compiled or
assemble at runtime into the Keysoft whole.
I must admit I was surprised to have to download over 40mb of
code when upgrading to vertion 7.5 build 28.
I would very much like to know a little more about the
development environment and gain an insight into development
strategies for the future. Humanware inspire confidence having a
long track record in the hardware-software field.
It would be nice however to think that replacement of the
operating system would not entail a huge rewrite but rather a
rework of the dlls that formed the os interface layer.
Kind regards,
Dave Ransley
----- Original Message -----
From: Joseph Lee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: BrailleNote List
<[email protected]>,[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date sent: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:25:09 -0800
Subject: [Braillenote] My views on software development - why
does it takelong?
Hi Will and list,
I think the following article would answer
many queries like "Why does it take time to
develop new versions of KeySoft?" and "Why do
we have to wait much longer to get this?" and
others:
I somewhat agree with what's said here on
this list, namely delay in release of
pooducts. But one needs to realize one thing
(I'm not enforcing this): from software
development point of view, HumanWare is doing
fine; once licensing is complete, HumanWare
needs to examine the CE code, rewrite KeySoft
and test it before releasing to users. From
release patterns, it seems that HumanWare
will announce the Beta cycle around July and
release the update around September (it's
been like that for a number of years now).
Here's an easy example: it took me virtually
two weeks to plan, create and add features to
my own BrailleNote website. This involved
examining content so that it reflects latest
software release and multiple scenarios
(depending on keyboard and machine type).
This also included a lot of writing in HTML
code, which involved testing the page using
JAWS and on the BrailleNote. Not only I
worked this page based on my plans, I
included contents and suggestions that people
have asked for some time, such as using
BrailleNote as a braille display, changing
input grades on the fly and so forth. You
see, even creating a websije takes time, and
in extension, it makes sense on software
development like writing KeySoft: one needs
to plan, write, review, rewrite and test new
version of KeySoft before releasing it for
use by the general public.
Another example: many people who create
podcasts such as myself have expressed
people's attitudes towards creation of audio
content. It takes some time to plan, record
and "test" podcasts - here, "test" means
verifying information that has been recorded
to see if I (or any person) made mistakes.
Then the podcaster needs to save and upload
the podcast to his or her site and tell the
public where this file can be found. This
process of podcast creation can be hampered
by what the person is doing at that time,
such as studying, working on another project
and so on (in my case, I was preparing for
college, thereby not having enough time to
record podcasts lately).
These were some of the examples that is
designed to illustrate why there are gap of
time between software or feature releases.
In summary, it depends on what the person is
doing and the overall progress of the project
- whether it is in planning phase,
pooduction, testing cycle, etc. In my
opinion, HumanWare wants to deliver latest
features as soon as possible. However, due
to fundamental change of operajing system and
in order to deliver features that "works" -
that is, software that is stable enough to
cause little to no problems when used - out
of the box, it takes time and effort. I know
some people are frustrated that these
"features" are not ready yet, but be patient
folks: I think HW is putting their best
effort at planning, devoloping, testing and
are trying to deliver products that are
stable, accessible, dependable and efficient
in the long run.
Hope this article makes sense to everyone.
Cheers,
Joseph
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