Omega Vortex Corporation
Great Software, Great Service, Great People
What do you want to know?
What is the Joel Test?
We're big fans of Joel Spolsky and
his writings for Software Development, Managing Developers, and Managing Software
Companies. So much so that we try to meet up to the standards of his
"Joel Test:
12 Steps to Better Code" -- We've seen significant improvement in our overall
productivity and process, since conforming to many of the points illustrated here.
This page will give you the details on how we conform to each point.
The Joel Test
- Do you use source control?
- Can you make a build in one step?
- Do you make daily builds?
- Do you have a bug database?
- Do you fix bugs before writing new code?
- Do you have an up-to-date schedule?
- Do you have a spec?
- Do programmers have quiet working conditions?
- Do you use the best tools money can buy?
- Do you have testers?
- Do new candidates write code during their interview?
- Do you do hallway usability testing?
Source Control
Omega Vortex uses Subversion for its source control needs.
One Step Builds and Daily Builds
Omega Vortex uses a combination of CruiseControl and phpUnderControl to maintain its build systems.
Bug Database
Omega Vortex currently utilizes Mantis to keep track of bugs.
Fix Bugs Before New Code
Omega Vortex's bug fix policy allows us to always stay in line with the competition. We fix bugs before writing new code so that we can ensure we're always ready to release, in the event we need to quickly.
Up-To-Date Schedules
Omega Vortex maintains internal schedules for all of its software. Our schedules are adjusted and kept up-to-date based on various different factors, including priority features left to be completed, outstanding bugs, business needs for getting to market, etc.
Software Specifications
Omega Vortex's C.S.A. does his best to provide detailed specifications for all of the company's software and solutions before they're built.
Programmer Working Conditions
Due to the nature of our business, we're dispersed all across the nation. The majority of our team members telecommute or work from home. We surveyed our developers though, and most of them claim to have quiet working conditions where they can concentrate.
Best Tools Money Can Buy
Unfortunately, the company doesn't have the ability to invest in tools for every team member, at this time. We do provide each team member with information on how to acquire quality, open source tools that usually do an outstanding job of meeting their needs.
Testers
Omega Vortex signs up Volunteer Testers to test out our products. We also have a Quality Assurance department that ensures we maintain our own internal quality standards. Developers also peer review each others' work.
New Candidates
All new candidates must be willing and able to write code to solve tasks during their interview process. These tasks range from simple to advanced topics, based on the required experience of the position that needs to be filled.
Hallway Usability Testing
Due to the nature of our work, we don't have the ability to grab people out of a "hallway" to do usability tests on our work. We do, however, constantly consult each other and trusted friends on the usability of our applications, along with our testers.