When Computer Scientists Collide!

So, the program for our CMPT 370 group project had some features that weren't assigned to anyone; these features were "Delete User Profile" and "Edit User Profile". In the grander scheme of the program, these were relatively minor features -- "want to have" as opposed to "need to have".

"Need to have" includes things like "Create User Profile", "Generate Forecast", "Enter Daily Data", and "Generate Report". The last one was my responsibility for the most recent code submission. I didn't get it entirely done, as there was a lot of statistical analysis involved; this analysis is still being hashed out a week-and-a-half later. I did get some code done, but I wanted to do more, so without consulting anyone I took on the "Delete User Profile" function; everyone else had lots of work to do, so I figured no one would have a problem with me doing it.

Ends up, no one did have a problem. Because it was a "want to have", no one even cared. I'm cool with that.

So, then we get a look at team-member Stuart's submission. Stuart didn't submit any code. When "I have a full-time job" didn't pan out as an excuse, he tried "I have four kids." (Unsaid went the rebuttal that he already had the four kids at the start of the semester; dude, budget your time.) Though lacking in code, Stuart's submission did include lots of [outdated] diagrams, including one for deleting user profiles.

Stuart didn't mention the overlap of our submissions in this area; considering he was using models that were almost two months old, it's doubtful he even looked at my submission.

This evening we had another group meeting. Stuart had volunteered to finish the "Create User Profile" function, and I was impressed with his initiative ... I would have been even more impressed if he'd finished that function a week-and-a-half ago, when it was supposed to have been completed initially. Because he's never coded in Java (!), I figured he had enough on his plate, so to be a good team member I said:

"Stuart, according to your last submission, you had "Delete User Profile" under your purview. If it's alright, I'd like to take that over."

You'd think a guy who's in over his head would appreciate the offer. Here's how Stuart showed his appreciation:

Stuart: "Why?"

Dave: "Excuse me?"

Stuart: "Esplain." [sic]

Dave: "I don't understand ... "

Stuart: "Esplain [sic] your rationale for taking over that part."

Dave: "Well ... I already started coding it. I coded most of it. According to your submission, all you had were use case diagrams or something."

Stuart: [cheerily] "OK!"

It's like he argues just to argue. Why should I have to "esplain" my rationale? Does the fact that he has yet to write a single line of code mean anything? How about the fact that he doesn't even know the language in which we're coding? How about that he has yet to turn in anything on time, and we've got three weeks to get all of this done? I should have said, "My rationale is that you have four kids."

[For the record, I know he had sequence diagrams and user contracts in his submission, but saying he had "use case diagrams" was a way of cutting down his contribution. Considering how little he had submitted, there wasn't much for me to cut down in the first place.]

He indicated that he'd have "Create User Profile" done by the end of the weekend. Direct quote: "end of the weekend". Anyone wanna take bets on whether this happens?

I didn't think so.