An admin that insisted each database have its own schema and that all db references in all indexes and stored procs explicitly reference the schema then made search and replace scripts to rename all the references on deployment. An admin that setup test and production databases on the same server but didnâ(TM)t secure them from each other so production regularly accidentally got updated with test data. An admin that misconfigured adding more drives to a server causing instability and terrible performance. Since all the drive bays were full at this point he couldnâ(TM)t just configure more correctly so rather than admit his mistake he talked everyone into tens of thousands for a new server even though the old one was six months old.

I remember gleefully being told by a city manager how their upcoming peoplesoft implementation meant they would no longer have to employ software developers⦠30 years ago. I donâ(TM)t think his plan worked out. Some things never change.

It seems like there is always a lot of wishful thinking going on in software development that goes something like this: If I can find the right magical technology, I donâ(TM)t have to hire expensive people with skills and experience and somehow my project wonâ(TM)t turn into a giant mess.

Came here for the Larn reference, left satisfied. (I had the same experience).