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I worked with as a consultant company that sold projects and staffed
then with so-called "HTML Specialists", when in fact I was the only
one who knew HTML from conception through implementation of a website.
Yes, it is very frustrating. Using a production tool for HTML is NO
SUBSTITUTE for knowing HTML fluently. I know of no HTML development
package that "does it all" to the extent that the user doesn't need
to know HTML. The consulting company I previously worked for used Front
Page as it's production tool and staffed projects with people who
knew the tool (somewhat) but not the HTML language. A real bad and
unprofessional way of running a business.
I would very much like to give some advice, but I need some specific
questions. The only question that the writer seems to have is "What
can I do now?" The major answer seems to be the following items:
1) Get the project completed
2) Nail the outside vendor for violation of the contract
I think point 1) takes precendence here; so, to this end the first
thing you need to do is get the unqualified people out and the qualified
people in. This is the responsibility of the outside vendor. To this
end:
* Check point by point what was designated in the contract with the
outside vendor in terms of skills for the consultants developing the
website. (I'm assuming this was stated in the contract to some
extent)
* Demand that the vendor supply people based on the contract
For point 2) I think the above items would be a great start.
Obviously, lawyers get involved somewhere in here.
Obviously, the detail of the contract is going to determine much of
what happens next. That will likely be your best weapon.
The company I used to work for went through this situation often
because of the supposedly "expert" people they staffed projects with.
*********************************************************
* Eric J. Ray, ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com, http://www.raycomm.com/
* TECHWR-L Listowner, co-author _Mastering HTML 4.0_
* _HTML 4 for Dummies Quick Reference_, and others.
* RayComm, Inc., currently accepting contract inquiries.
