After the programmers finish work on FieldWorks 6.0, they are going to
spend a significant amount of time reworking the fundamental code.
This reworking of the code is somewhat like rewiring a house. It is a
major job, takes a while, and involves taking down plasterboard to
allow access to the wires… but there has come a time when it is the
wisest thing to do, in order to make the house safe and livable, and
to support the increasing number of sophisticated electrical products
in every room. Just like in the electrical realm, technology has moved
on, and we want FieldWorks to be able take advantage of those advances
– because we believe they will benefit you!

Think of an old house wired with one or two ungrounded outlets in each
room. We've been plugging in one adapter and extension cord after
another to accommodate the TV, VCR and DVD, fridge, microwave, IPOD,
computer, printer, hair-dryer...we're rapidly approaching the time
when a fuse blows or someone trips over a cord and bad things happen
(when programming). In other words, it's not just that we can do more
with newer technology...it's more that we've already been pushing
beyond the safe limits of the technology currently in FieldWorks, and
it's costing us (programmers) and you (users) in terms of convenience
and reliability, and it can't be pushed much further without an
increase in serious problems.

While the “rewiring” will significantly limit our ability to add new
features and improvements in the coming year, we expect the benefits
to include:
- Faster processing. The extent of this improvement is uncertain, but
there is hope that many functions, especially concordances will be
faster.
- Data Notebook will work more like FLEx (e.g. sorting, filtering),
and FLEx will gain some Data Notebook features it does not yet have
(e.g. a greater range of custom field types, such as custom list
reference fields, and saving configurations.)
- A different database engine. MS SQL Server has caused various
installation problems. Hopefully the replacement won't cause so many
problems.
- We expect to use XML file(s) more for storage and back-up, which
will be a safer way to provide long-term back-up and archiving.
- Eventually (not necessarily immediately) greater collaboration
support for closely networked and disconnected co-workers. Also,
greater interoperability with other programs such as WeSay, etc.
- Greater lifetime of development for FieldWorks. As mentioned in the
analogy, the current code is becoming increasingly difficult to
develop, making it slower and harder to add the features and
improvements you request. The "rewiring" will allow us to make
FieldWorks code cleaner and more robust in ways that facilitate years
of future development. Also, new programmers will be able to
contribute more quickly - the learning curve will be less arduous.
- Linux support. The change of underlying database and other changes
should allow rapid production of a Linux version of FieldWorks.

So, the next year is going to require patience. It is frustrating to
me that this delays adding the features you are asking for. On the
plus side, I will have more time to plan and will hopefully have all
the new work ready for the programmers to tackle as soon as the
“rewiring” is completed! I will also have more time for travel and
seeing some of you at work, and hopefully this too will provide me
with more insights into what you need.

Hope with us that the “rewiring” goes faster than expected, and
produces really dramatic improvements in performance! (-:

Working for you,
Susanna Imrie, and the FLEx team