At 01:07 PM 8/12/2005 +0100, you wrote:
>On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 12:47:18 +0100, you wrote:
>
> >Hi,
> >  I know a few PIClisters do consultancy work for others, so I'm asking this
> >here. Apologies if some of you consider it a waste of bandwidth, please feel
> >free to ignore it.
> >
> >  I've developed a PHP-based application for someone. He now considers it to
> >be "complete enough to use" (and I do too), and wants to get it all up and
> >running on his server. Problem is, I don't want to hand over all the code
> >without payment, and I doubt he'll want to hand over any money without 
> seeing
> >the source code.
> >
> >  So, what would you do? The best plan I've come up with is to hand over 
> half
> >of the code, then when the payment comes through send the other half... How
> >is this sort of thing generally done in the software development industry?
>
>Why does he need to see the source code? - surely he can test it to see 
>that it does the job he
>wants...?

I had a cautious client express concern that the commenting *could* be
insufficient. We simply negotiated the final payment (more like 10% than
50%) be made after (a fixed time after) they had a chance to look at and
build the code. IOW, that was the final milestone. Of course the object code
had been long tested and accepted by then. It was no problem-- think of
it as a "hold back" on a home renovation contract, and the contract was
more than big enough to make it worthwhile.

In the case of the PHP, they can test it on your server, right? Then
when they find that acceptable and pay you *most* of the $$, you can hand
over the source code or install it on their system. Then they have so many
weeks or whatever for final acceptance of the work (and then cut a check)
before you go into paid maintenance mode.

Of course it's best if this sort of thing is agreed upon before the work
starts, then you don't have the potential problem of disparate or
even dichotomous expectations.

Best regards,

Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..."            "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com             Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog  Info for designers:  http://www.speff.com
->> Inexpensive test equipment & parts http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZspeff


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