PHP Script Ripoff

[slshimerdla]

Hey there! I'd like to explain what's happening to me with a certain script writing website (I'll keep the actual website to myself, for now - still hoping that they will come to see things from my side and if I were to slander them now, I doubt that'll happen). I'd like to hear people's opinions on it, and what exactly I should be doing about it.

I hired a php script coder to write a script for me. It's basically a download script that a) counts the file downloads, then b) redirects to the actual file location for the download, but it was also supposed to c) only allow downloads from requests that came from MY domain. I host my files using Amazon's S3 storage service, so the script was made to get them from there.

It works. However, the length of time that it takes for the download window to come up in your browser is dependant upon the file size.

In the very beginning, this coder asked me the average file size for the downloads on my website, and I said about 20-30MB. With a 25MB file, it takes THIRTY SECONDS for the download window to come up.

To me, this is unacceptable. This is NOT a "functional" script.

I wrote the coder, explaining that I needed it to do something other than what it was doing now, and that I couldn't use the script as it was.

The coder is basically telling me "it does what you told me to do". He says that it is Amazon that is taking all this time with the larger files (apparently it must somehow scan the file or do something that's dependent upon file size, because the smaller files work fine.) I tried to explain that FUNCTIONALITY was implied when I hired him to create this script. It was HIS job to find out that with the way he was wanting to do it, it would take 30 seconds or more for the download window to come up in some cases.

I went on to explain, using the analogy "If you went to google.com, and typed in your search terms, and it took 30 seconds to look them up and get back to you with the results, would YOU continue to use it?" Of course not! It's NOT usable in its current form.

I offered several ways to get around it, saying that he could change the script so that it would simply redirect to my website whenever someone tried to link to one of the downloads from another site. He said I would need to pay for this.

Now, don't get me wrong. I DO understand that he did what I asked him to do. However, I contend that it is his job, as the coder, to know that what I asked wasn't going to be feasible, and to suggest a workaround. I, as the client, knew nothing about how Amazon works and that it would take this long to serve up the download.

I paid via PayPal, and I'm thinking about trying to dispute the payment. I'm just not sure what else I can do here.

Am I being unreasonable in my expectations? What can I do?

Any help is SO VERY appreciated.

[Hades]

It works. However, the length of time that it takes for the download window to come up in your browser is dependant upon the file size.

In the very beginning, this coder asked me the average file size for the downloads on my website, and I said about 20-30MB. With a 25MB file, it takes THIRTY SECONDS for the download window to come up.

To me, this is unacceptable. This is NOT a "functional" script.

This kind of things happen when you let a developer do the whole job without reviewing his work as he progresses. If you are on top of him all the time and asking him to prepare demos for you on a regular basis you can identify the issues and ask him to correct them.

The script is actually functional, but you can consider it buggy or not ready for a production environment. Lets say the development ended but it didn't pass your Quality Assurance tests.

I paid via PayPal, and I'm thinking about trying to dispute the payment. I'm just not sure what else I can do here.

Am I being unreasonable in my expectations? What can I do?

I don't really know about the legal aspect of it, but in my opinion the best thing you can do at this point is contact him and ask him for an estimation in time and price of development to correct the issue. If the sum he tells you is reasonable just pay for it but stay in touch with him while he codes to make sure no other issues come up.

If instead he gives you an astronomical cost, perhaps a dispute would be the most reasonable thing.

[ScriptMan]

I think your problem is with Amazon not the script writer.

Have you written them asking their advice. There may well be a solution.

[slshimerdla]

If you are on top of him all the time and asking him to prepare demos for you on a regular basis you can identify the issues and ask him to correct them.

So, the developer noticing that it's taking 30 seconds for the download box to come up isn't something he should be able to notice on his own and find a workaround for?

I would think something like that would be obvious. It doesn't seem like I should have to say to the coder "and make sure that it works reasonably well". I would think that quality assurance would be something that every coder would assume is a given in their scripts.

I see what you're saying, I'm just not sure that this one should've gone by unnoticed and unheeded.

I think your problem is with Amazon not the script writer.

You have a good point. I am working on a fix on this end, as well. However, Amazon does not offer any support for their S3 service other than forums, unless you want to pay for "premium support." (Which I also think is just silly, but we won't go there!)

Here's the other problem with that. I don't really know what to say, because I'm not a coder. So I'm not sure where the problem lies. The best that I can do is explain the situation and hope someone knows what's going on.

Thank you both for your help so far!

[Hades]

Originally Posted by slshimerdla

So, the developer noticing that it's taking 30 seconds for the download box to come up isn't something he should be able to notice on his own and find a workaround for?

I would think something like that would be obvious. It doesn't seem like I should have to say to the coder "and make sure that it works reasonably well". I would think that quality assurance would be something that every coder would assume is a given in their scripts.

I see what you're saying, I'm just not sure that this one should've gone by unnoticed and unheeded.

In software development there is a position called Project Manager, and that is the person who is supposed to stay on top of your developers and designers, set the deadlines and decide if a feature is completed and ready for deployment. Also PM's schedule regular meetings with programmers and designers to review the features, if they are not in the same physical place they just start a Skype conference and use GoToMeeting to share and see each other screens while they talk. I do it all the time and it is just as effective as being in the same place.

Now the average programmer thinks in terms of bytes, as the average designer thinks in terms of pixels. Most of the time they don't care if a feature provides a smooth experience for the users, they will just get the work done in the less time consuming way and move on to the next thing. If you let an average programmer or designer assume the role of project manager, your project is likely to go bad.

I work in the software development industry myself and I code in some projects, and also manage others in which I don't code. And I can tell you having a PM in a project is the best way to assure that the work will be done properly and in time. I understand if hiring a PM is something pricey but you might as well read about project management and take over the project yourself. What you will be doing is:

• Define feature specs,
• Setting deadlines,
• Scheduling online meetings,
• Reviewing the work and requesting changes accordingly.

Give it a try for your next project, you won't regret it

You have a good point. I am working on a fix on this end, as well. However, Amazon does not offer any support for their S3 service other than forums, unless you want to pay for "premium support." (Which I also think is just silly, but we won't go there!)

Here's the other problem with that. I don't really know what to say, because I'm not a coder. So I'm not sure where the problem lies. The best that I can do is explain the situation and hope someone knows what's going on.

Thank you both for your help so far!

You can still write in the Amazon or in the V7N coding forums and post the script that your developer made, maybe somebody will know what is the issue and they will help you fix it.

[slshimerdla]

You can still write in the Amazon or in the V7N coding forums and post the script that your developer made, maybe somebody will know what is the issue and they will help you fix it.

Yep, I'm working on doing that. It's the best I can do, really.

As far as PMs go, I am a tiny little website. I offer downloads for FREE, or I wouldn't have this problem. I am doing this out of the goodness of my heart for the design community, so that people that don't have big bucks can still have access to professional quality digital design resources. The only make is when people buy licenses (which I offer for exceptionally cheap), and for the random advertiser.

I simply can't afford a PM. I purchased this script from a website that offers to make scripts for people, so I guess I should expect that I'm not going to get the same professionalism that I would expect in larger circles. It's simply the best I could do.

It all just seems entirely unfair to me. Ah well.

Thanks!

[webmidas]

Actually saying what is the exact problem is a tough task without seeing the script.
If your download script offers downloads to your users through your website without letting users know that the file is hosted on amazon, then for achieving this generally download script has to precess the file through your server. so depending on the speed of your server and your file size it will take some time to process the file and offer it to user to for download.
there is always a workaround for this, and the programmer who coded it must be knowing how to do it.

[slshimerdla]

They've fixed it now, after a decent amount of effort on my part. Thanks for everyone's help.

I find it crazy that not a single person wrote here "You're right - when you hire someone to create a script for you, it's their responsibility to make sure it's a usable one." Maybe that's just SO obvious to everyone that it didn't need to be stated, but it was NOT to my coders at first.

Perhaps the coding world just has a different code of ethics than what I live by in my life, but when I sell something to someone, I guarantee that it works and works well.

Anyway, all fixed now - finally. No more need for speculation, thanks!

[ScriptMan]

I find it crazy that not a single person wrote here "You're right - when you hire someone to create a script for you, it's their responsibility to make sure it's a usable one." Maybe that's just SO obvious to everyone that it didn't need to be stated, but it was NOT to my coders at first.

If your files were hosted on your server that would have been my attitude. When you get a thrid site involved the reasoning can be quite different. The problem might be beyond the control of the scriptor.

[SeoFoxPro]

I think that the scriptor was simply trying to, as many other people have said, finish the job as fast as possible. My advice next time would be to ensure that you set specific requirements and goals for the script before you hire. Think of every possible thing that could effect the project.

[website-seo]

Originally Posted by SeoFoxPro

I think that the scriptor was simply trying to, as many other people have said, finish the job as fast as possible. My advice next time would be to ensure that you set specific requirements and goals for the script before you hire. Think of every possible thing that could effect the project.

I agree, it is your fault for not telling him specific requirements.