bugs

[Rob Cozens]

Hi Dave,

> what's the bug? The fact that it loops endlessly or the fact that the 
> COA was non existent?

Well my buddy Bernie would say the bug is a user error for installing 
the A/R module before installing G/L and setting up the COA.  Actually 
it appears in the setup screen for any module that includes default G/L 
accounts:

If the G/L interface is checked, A/R account fields become required 
fields, and as the field closes the system verifies the contents in the 
COA.  Not finding the account, Flexware takes the user back to the 
field.  The only way to escape the loop without killing the computer or 
Flexware A/R is to go to another workstation and set up a COA.

Flexware modules were bundled individually, with a separate manual & CD 
for each.  I don't recall there being anything in the documentation 
advising sys admins to install G/L first if it was among the modules 
purchased.  And if there was, it didn't stop many users from having 
their first experience with Flexware--before it was even set up to do 
useful work--include finding a way out of an endless loop.

So Bernie could truthfully claim (on this point) "Flexware is bug-free 
if people use it correctly."  But in the real world, a significant 
number of users fell victim to this and similar "user" errors.

I believe the developer's job goes beyond delivering an application 
that works for her.  One has the obligation to provide the user a 
graceful escape mechanism when the user does something he wasn't 
supposed to do.

In this case, every Flexware setup screen that included default G/L 
accounts should, at the very least, disable the "G/L Installed" check 
box if the COA is not present.  Ideally, it would also display a dialog 
box explaining the box was disabled because the COA was not set up.  
Such a simple modification would have left first-time users with a much 
better feeling about Flexware then they got when told "That's your 
fault for not installing G/L first."

Rob Cozens
CCW, Serendipity Software Company

"And I, which was two fooles, do so grow three;
Who are a little wise, the best fooles bee."

from "The Triple Foole" by John Donne (1572-1631)