# RE: HELP - My Programmers are AWOL!

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-help-my-programmers-are-awol/64508>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [August 9, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-help-my-programmers-are-awol/64508 "2006-08-09T17:52:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![nathandelane](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/df705f/32.png) [@nathandelane](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/nathandelane)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-help-my-programmers-are-awol/64508/1 "2006-08-09T17:52:58Z")

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Sorry to hear about your troubles. Unfortunately, this is what can  
happen when you enter into a “gentleman’s agreement” with a friend of a  
friend. A reputable software developer or firm will ask you to sign an  
agreement specifically outlining what will be produced, when it will be  
produced, what qualifies as success, and what you are required to pay by  
what date. That gives both of you legal recourse in these sorts of  
situations. You may want to look into your legal options at this point  
as well, to see if you can recoup any of the capital. It is too bad  
that a few (?) bad apples can spoil the barrel, but those cliches comes  
from somewhere.

If you are interested, feel free to contact me via my website,  
[www.toplineconsulting.com](http://www.toplineconsulting.com). I can assist with either advice on how to  
proceed or actually design/development work to get your application  
completed.

Good Luck,  
Nathan L.

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**Author:** ![nathandelane](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/df705f/32.png) [@nathandelane](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/nathandelane)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 4:05am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-help-my-programmers-are-awol/64508/2 "2006-08-10T04:05:47Z")

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As a small interjection, depending on which country you live in, a  
gentleman’s agreement -is- as legally binding as a ‘proper’ contract.  
Canada and Scotland are two that spring to mind. So, you maybe able to  
recoup -some- losses if thats a worry, and your in the proper country.  
Obviously IANAL and its not the proper way to work ‘professionally’  
but… yes.

Sorry, we now return you to your regular broadcasting 🙂  
Regards  
Stef

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**Author:** ![nathandelane](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/df705f/32.png) [@nathandelane](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/nathandelane)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 4:05am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-help-my-programmers-are-awol/64508/3 "2006-08-10T04:05:47Z")

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Hi, I agree with Nathan 100% and I tend to deal with people locally so  
that  
we can meet face-to-face for status information. Also, I tend to  
partition  
projects into smaller manageable pieces and have developers work on a  
piece  
at a time. This allows me to hire several developers to work on the  
same  
project. My magic number is usually two developers because I need to  
perform development tasks as well plus management duties. Next, I don’t  
pay  
until I can verify that the code works per my requirements. I would  
only  
give a partial payment at the start of the project if you have  
successfully  
completed a development task for me in the past. Finally, I’m not  
saying  
that a firm is better or an individual is better but both has its  
advantages  
over the other and you should properly screen both in the hiring  
process.

Peace,

-Conrad