neverending crap

I had a fix to a bug on a released product. Our particular product was not defective per se but another product (from the same mines) has a problem when interacting with ours so we also have to modify our product. After months of testings, design changes and multiple beta tests, we think we’re ready to release this.

After I sent out this change to be packaged, I was notified by a fellow miner about a bug on the part I was working on. I looked at it and to my relieve I found that it’s fixed. Good.

BUT…., I noticed another thing wrong with the fix. Shoot. Releasing a broken fix is a big no-no around here. Panic time… OK, trace back where the fix has gone to. It is still in packaging. Not to bad, we can still pull this out. Now I’ll just fix it one more time.

Nope, it’s not over yet. While testing this new fix, I found another problem. I am sure I’ve never seen this before. After many minutes, it turns out it’s caused by another fix by another miner that’s also on the way to be released. It’s a vicious trail. OK, notified the guy and resent mine to be packaged again. Oh and for good measure ask the boss to review the changes again.

Everything was now cool, right? Noooo! fast forward a few days. My fellow miner contacted me said the his problem is now fixed but he’s looking at an anomaly on a feature. We looked at it and we went back full circle to my original fix. Another mistake! it’s like a gift that keeps on giving. So, back to square one. Back to testing cycle again and hopefully next week I can send it again for packaging.

So now I’ve almost gotten to the point where I don’t give a damn anymore. Someone once joked that this was going to define my career here on the mines. Now I think ironically that he may have been correct, for better or for worse.

Maybe I need a new career.

broken phone

I have a Cingular 8125 phone. A nice Windows Mobile 5 PDA Phone. Unfortunately, a few weeks ago I put it on the backpocket of my jeans and sat on it. Next thing I know, it has cracked screen. The LCD is fine but the digitizer is broken and it lost the touchscreen capability. The phone has a sliding keyboard and I can use it by keyboard alone (barely).
I found 2 places that can fix it (including the official HTC service). Both cost approximately $170 + shipping and handling for the repair. In the mean time, I’ve been reading about the new Cingular 8525 that’s supposed to be announced in one or two months. A friend also suggested the Treo 750 which is expected to be announced not much later. I definitely don’t need the latest and greatest phone. However, I may not be able to resist the temptation either.
I guess I can wait a little bit longer and see the prices for the new phones.

throat infection

The doctor warned me last week that bacteria infection could follow virus infection. Are they like buddies or something?
Now the right tonsil is swelling again. Swallowing anything feels like I’m swallowing a pine cone. I don’t feel a fever is coming though.
Maybe I should call her and ask for antibiotics.