Undocumented Features

Undocumented Features FAQ

August 21, 2007 – 9:50 pm

This Frequently Asked Questions page is intended to answer most common queries.  If it does not, please drop me a line, and I’ll both help you if I can and update the page.

What if Undocumented Features?
Why Undocumented Features?
How do I sign up to participate?
How can I keep updated?
How do I submit a story idea?
How can I submit an article?
How can I become an Undocumented Features writer?
What is Undocumented Features?

UndocumentedFeatures.com is a weblog written by Stacey Douglas.  It is aimed at improving the software development process, and the target audience is all of the traditional stakeholders- Project Managers, Developers, Business Analysts, Quality Assurance Professionals, Systems Analysts, and even Business Owners.  The general goal is to make things easier by helping everyone speak the same language, think about things from a similar perspective, have better processes, and do their job better.  This even includes personal development, as the most basic element of your project is you.
Why Undocumented Features?

For those unfamiliar with the term, “undocumented features” are bugs, design flaws, gold plating functions, and other things that sneak into the final designs of products and make what was originally a good product, not so good.  If it’s in the product, the documentation doesn’t mention it anywhere, and you don’t like it, it’s probably an “undocumented feature”.  As professional folks dealing with creating or implementing software, we’ve all seen these, and likely we’ve heard the joke “that’s not a bug, it’s a feature!”.  The blog is all about improving your processes to make sure these ‘features’ don’t show up in your products or projects.  Thus, when all the ‘undocumented features’ in the world go away, my job is done, and so is this blog.
How do I sign up to participate?

You can participate by a) just reading the site- everything here is free for you to read, b) distributing things here to others you think might like it, c) creating an account and joining in the postings and commentary, d) submitting story ideas, or e) you can even get in on the act and submit stories for posting.  We’re not shy here; you shouldn’t be either.
How can I keep updated?

You can keep updated by a) logging in every day- we’d love to have you, b) subscribing to the RSS feed, using that big “Subscribe” button on all the pages, if you use an RSS reader, c) subscribing to the email feed, using the other subscribe button, or d) any or all of the above.
How do I submit a story idea?

Simply email me, using the form on the Contact page.  I’ll get back to you regarding your idea as soon as possible, and if you want, get you involved in the actual story process.  After all, if what I write doesn’t address your topic adequately, it didn’t really help, did it?
How can I submit an article?

First, run your story idea by me (see above).  If you want to write the article too, either tell me, or submit the whole article if you wish.  I’ll contact you back on if we can use the article or not.  I work with people several ways on this:  a) you can write the article on your blog, and I’ll be happy to link out to you, b) you can write it and send it in as a submission, and I’ll happily give you credit, or c) if you write several pieces for us, and we like the work, we can discuss adding you to staff, at the same salary I get (which is… uh… the joy of writing?).  We do reserve editorial rights on all pieces sent in under option b or c; that is, before it goes on my blog, I reserve the right to insist on correct grammar, typos fixed, spelling checked, facts straight, etc.

How can I become an Undocumented Features writer?

See above, how to submit an article.  Submit enough quality work (a few pieces are probably enough), and I’ll gladly entertain the notion of adding you as a writer to our staff.  We’ll even let you telecommute ;).

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