My project is no longer used - how should I feel?
- by flybywire
For the last two years I have been developing and supporting an important project for a big customer.
The project included mining data from the customer's existing systems, processing, and displaying and updating in the customer's public home page.
The project was defined as crucial by the customer and I was payed good money and flown at the customer's expense to meet key employees.
Some months ago, when the project was finished and in maintainance mode, I informed the customer that I am no longer interested in doing it as I had a new opportunity that would not be compatible with my existing customer. I was payed to train one of their employees, flown to meet him, make sure everything works and that he can be safely left in charge of the project. We finished in good terms after I complied with all my obligations and they payed me all they owed me.
Some days ago, just out of curiosity, I entered to their website to see how the data continues to be updated and much to my dismay I discovered that the day after my contract was finished my system was "turned off" and it ceased to feed data to the public website.
Let's put it clear, there is no issue of money or broken contract here. They are in they full right to do whatever they want with my software.
But it is an issue of broken "programmer's ego". Should I feel bad about it (I do). Should I care and check out with my customer if they need some help? Or is it none of my matters?
