I normally don’t write posts just to point out an article by another author, but the latest by Jeff Atwood is a must read:

Hardware is Cheap, Programmers are Expensive

I point this out because this is something I’ve been fighting recently. It’s easier for management to tell the development team to fix a performance issue than to request money for the new hardware that’s needed.

In the long run it would be much cheaper to just throw more hardware at it – though that requires higher level approval. Whereas assigning a couple developers doesn’t require going nearly as high.

I recently wrote about some issues I’ve had with my Dell Mini 9. Since I received my Mini its had issues with the keyboard, primarily that the spacebar wouldn’t respond. Something I’ve heard several other people say; leading me to believe it’s a flaw in the design.

A quick chat with Dell support and a new keyboard was on the way. Shipped FedEx Priority Overnight no less.

I ordered my Mini within hours of it being released, so it’s a fairly early unit. When I received the new keyboard I was rather disappointed to see the it was marked “A00″ – which is Dell-speak for version 1.0. So obviously when I saw that, it was a bit frustrating. What’s the point in replacing a flawed keyboard with another flawed keyboard?

After removing the existing keyboard I found something I really didn’t expect; the existing keyboard was marked “A02.” So my early model Mini has the newer keyboard! So, let’s take a quick look at what we know so far:

• A00 – This keyboard has the same layout as the A02; the keys are printed a bit darker making it harder to see in low light. The keys are a bit stiffer when you press them, and all the keys seem to respond reliably.
• A01 – I’ve yet to see any information on this one, though we must assume it exists.
• A02 – This version has brighter printing on the keys though seems to have a defect affecting at least the spacebar and perhaps other keys. Pressing the keys, they feel somewhat cheep or flimsy.

These details are for the US-English, 61 key layout,  Dell part # M958H. There is also an US-International version (U061H) floating around with a somewhat different layout that some people may prefer.

Though I don’t like how dark the Aoo keyboard is, it does seem to correct the issue with the keyboard missing presses. The process of changing the keyboard only takes a few minutes and the instructions cover everything you need to know.

Ladies, do you know where your husband is? If he’s anything like me (or the rest of my team), he’s at the office. At 4AM. Again.

For the third week in a row I find myself at work at the wee hours of the morning preparing for a project launch. Though today more than ever I find myself asking questions; what takes priority, the needs of a company, or the needs of a relationship? What’s more important, the health of a project, or my own health? Should I be working to make this project a success, or sleeping to stay healthy?

Normally these questions are simple and obvious – yet so often we choose our projects over ourselves, our companies over our loved ones. Why? Is it the drive for success, the challenge of doing the impossible? Maybe it’s the money? Why do developers so often sacrifice so much?

This isn’t a guide to better managing time, or a treatise on setting priorities; no, it’s a developer’s lament. So much is given for a company that does little but ask for more; yet more we always give. We know there are things far more important, but yet so much rides on our efforts, so many people counting on us; how could we dare let them down? Though I appreciate my paycheck, it doesn’t drive me to do more – it’s the people, the challenge, the fact only I can make this happen.

Sometimes though, I wish I could bring myself to accept failure; maybe then the pressure wouldn’t be so great. Maybe then, I could sleep at night.

But this is what we do, we make the miracles; we do the impossible. Every day we face another challenge, every day we find another solution. Now if we could just find a solution for all this time lost from what matters most.

So far I love my Dell Mini 9; it’s a great laptop. Though from the day I received it there’s been a problem. The space bar.

It’s a simple but vital key, and very frustrating when it ignores you. There seems to be a common issue on the early Mini’s with the space bar sometimes ignoring input. Depending on just where you hit the key, it likely won’t register.

Today I was finally fed up and contacted Dell support. After chatting with a technician for about five minutes he agreed to send me a replacement keyboard. Simple, painless, fast.

If you’ve got a Dell Mini, I’d advise getting the new keyboard – not only is the space bar issue corrected; but I’m hearing that a couple keys have been moved to more useful positions.

Update: See my comment below for the latest updates.