What is 'Broked'?

This is a blog all about broken broked software. I build software and web applications for a living, and I pride myself on good user interface and user experience-- when I have time, inspiration and freedom. Throughout my career I have developed a sense of when something about the use of the software is.... not quite right. I've often tweeted about broken software (the first time I tweeted "broked" by accident and it stuck), hoping that just maybe Microsoft or Mozilla or Google or Apple or whoever's app I am complaining about just might notice they have a problem.

I have been meaning to write this blog for a while as a more thorough way to explore these problems. I am nearly done earning my Bachelor's degree in Computing and Software Systems, and had hoped to have a bit more time once I'd graduated to do some blogging. However, opportunity has struck early. I am taking a course in Software Testing. As part of the course, our professor is having us create a portfolio displaying our work in some way. It can be in any form. So, what better form than a blog, and one I had intended on writing? Now I can get a head start.

Who might be interested in reading this blog (besides my professor)? First, myself-- I know writing helps me organize my thoughts, and the more I can find, diagnose, and suggest fixes for problems in other people's software, the more easily I can find them in my own. Second, other software developers, who are interested in thinking through similar problems in their own apps. Third and finally, hopefully those developers responsible for the software I complain about might stumble onto this blog and find some helpful suggestions.

What will you find in this blog? I envision a typical post focusing on one software application (web or installed), walking through description of a problem, and then if possible, describing a solution. I'll try to keep it respectful and realistic, because I know there is never time, inspiration, or freedom available to fix everything.

I hope that someone out there (besides my professor) finds this interesting and helpful. Enjoy!