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> The biggest general problem is that people thought of shipping the site the same way they thought of shipping an aircraft carrier -- you write the code, hand it over, and you're done.

So, the same problem every vendor encounters when doing a software project. I cannot tell you how many "lay people" can't simply grok this.

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It's amusing because that isn't the way aircraft carriers are made. Something like a tank might just get handed over after only manufacturer testing, but big ticket items like aircraft carriers go through a year plus of acceptance trials and testing.

They don't finish the last coat of paint, load an air wing, and send it out on deployment.

Amen. Just watch any documentary about building an aircraft carrier. The systems integration phase is the longest part!

The difference here is that they had a very public deadline.

The difference here is that politicians treat technology the way voters treat elections.

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