Today was the last day of my contract at the Texas Legislative Council, where I’d been since March.  When I got there, they were finalizing the requirements and database design for moving a very large system from the IBM mainframe to clustered PCs.  They hired me to help get them started building the new system in .NET using a more formal development methodology than they’d used prefiously.  Nine months later and after a few minor schedule glitches, the project is on time and (I think) within budget.

They have a lot more work to do, though.  There are many more programs to port, some existing VB applications to retrofit, and only two years in which to do it.  The system is scheduled to be in place at the beginning of the 80th Legislative Session, in November 2006.

I’m on vacation now until January 10, and don’t know if I’ll have the time or inclination to be writing here.  If not, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.