working on projects during/after the cattle drive?

Johannes, in another post you mentioned practicing java in a project setting. Some other ranchers expressed a similar interest recently, have you seen this: http://www.javaranch.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/000648.html
Maybe other cattle drivers are interested in sharing projects to exercise new found java skills? Don't know if the folks in the above thread have actually started something...
cheers,
Pauline

Thanks Pauline I saw the thread. I decided to leave it alone. Why ?
Way back when I started the log Bill Bozeman, yes our nitpicker, approached me to "automate" the assigmnent log.

Now this "project" had some very valid reasons to succeed :

• It had motivated people.
• It attempted to solve a real "problem"


It however failed miserably because (IMHO)
• We went to big to fast
• The project was to democratic.
• Some people lacked the required knowladge (myself)
• No definite deadlines and objectives were set.
• Other things got in the way ie. new career's
• The reward/s was not tangible.


For more back-ground
• Johannes' assigment log edititing???
• Assignment Log Project
• XML for Assignment Log

Ok lets get this discussion the road .

[This message has been edited by Johannes de Jong (edited July 16, 2001).]

Hi JdJ
Isn't the assignment log project a whole different scale (ie BIG)?
I thought you and the folks in this thread were referring to simpler exercises.
cheers,
Pauline

[This message has been edited by Pauline McNamara (edited July 16, 2001).]

Pauline any project can be broken down in small "chucks".

Hi JdJ,
I'm not sure I understand your intention, though. Are you saying that projects set up like this are doomed (for the reasons you cite above)? Or are you proposing the assignment log as a project for advanced cattle drivers, this time with an improved approach?
A more automated log is still a good idea, for sure. Making it happen, as with all good ideas, is another thing...
Cheers,
Pauline

Are you saying that projects set up like this are doomed (for the reasons you cite above)?
No. The points I raise is to start a discussion on the subject.
Or are you proposing the assignment log as a project for advanced cattle drivers, this time with an improved approach?
Yes
Making it happen, as with all good ideas, is another thing...
You are so RIGHT !!!

Hey Pauline, I would like to help contribute to some sort of "organized" group project. As JDJ states though, it seems hard to get them off the ground sometimes.
Pualine are you wanting to step in and lead a group project?

Hi Amber,
Hmmmmmmmmmm. Have to think about that a bit. My original post was "just for information" for folks who are done, or almost done, with the cattle drive. I'm a ways off yet, and don't have any XML or whatever other knowledge might be necessary to pull that project through.
Sure would be nice get JdJ some help with the log, though...

Pauline if a new project is started it will start from "scratch". Sure one can look at the history of first attempt but it should not determine the solution for this one.
Having said that I do think that rules must be laid dwon with definate deadlines.
[This message has been edited by Johannes de Jong (edited July 17, 2001).]

Hello Amber, Pauline, and Johannes.
(and others who join this discussion)
I thought I'd kick this thread back up to the top. I remember the first go around Johannes had discussing how to automate the Cattle Drive Assignment Log. It sounded as challenging then as it does now.
Perhaps a few of us will be able to stay involved with Java Ranch long enough to apply the knowledge we gain from the site.
I see 2 problems holding us back:

1. Finding someone with the skill to analyze and design the solution.
   
2. Having the skill sets available to implement the design.
   

I'm continuing to learn J2SE, as all of you are, and hope to get up to speed on complimentary technologies (XML, J2EE, JDBC) this fall.
Maybe we'll all get to work on this some day soon!

[This message has been edited by Michael Pearson (edited July 27, 2001).]

I'll take up this after my break.

"Perhaps a few of us will be able to stay involved with Java Ranch long enough to apply the knowledge we gain from the site."
I too am hoping to be able to give something back in return for all the help I've received here.
Cheers,
Pauline