1-6. Application R&D Programmer

1-6. Application R&D Programmer

(R&D: researchand development)

 

Ken: If you decide to join our application department, firstlet me make clear that we don’t develop graphics software and media players.

 

George: What kinds of customers come to you, then?

 

K: We set up customized office suites for small companies,and our specialty is a user-friendly accounting package embedded in the suite.

 

G: So the accounting package is standard, but the suitecustomized to meet each customer’s requirements?

 

K: Well, we have to customize the outer interactive layer ofthe accounting package, but in general we will make sure a non-accountantcannot do the company’s books.

 

G: You said your customers are small companies. That meansyou don’t do corporate enterprise software. So, do you write informationsoftware, allowing each user to manipulate (/mə'nɪpjulet/，熟练操作)data as each task requires?

 

K: Exactly! Say an assistant has to input data in order tomake a time management report for the supervisor. We provide an interactiveword processor and spreadsheet with templates specific to that company’sproducts, and services. The assistant simply fills in the data, selects a form,and our programme produces all the charts and their descriptions.

 

G: Do you customers want access to programming as well?

 

K: No, you know, the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle?

 

G: Yes, Keep it Simple…What programming language do you use?Linux?

 

K: About half the time, but again it depends on how we haveto customize it. That’s why I like your resume – you’re familiar with threeapplication programming languages.

 

G: Yes, but I prefer Linux to PHP and HTML. I found duringmy internship (/'ɪntɝnʃɪp/, 实习医师期) that it’s better at meeting suchchallenges.

 

K: Well, you’re welcome to join us!