The problem with any coding projects these days is time. Let me start with the good old FF1GP website.

I've been working on the new code for the FF1GP website on and off since last summer. It was meant to be ready for the 2007 Formula 1 season.

Unfortunatly, the Tech Haven Network stole a big 3 month chunk of time. So when I came back onto the project in December 2006, I was hoping to get cracking with the code ready for the 2007 season.

Well because the new code is a complete re-write in PHP5 (Which I got to say is way better than PHP4) with a lot new techniques I underestimated the challenges.

One of the biggest parts was getting the SQL/Data object layer going. You would think that's easy, but when you have to put a SQL record set with 1 to many relaitionsips, into an object, well thats quite a challenge. Also add to that, the data objects should be able to validate the data before writing the data to the DB. Well I got there, took about a good week to get there.

Then there is the Model View Controller to implement, with the Smarty framework, which was a lot simpler to do, and of course Smarty needs to work with the Data Objects.

All these parts are needed as part of the Framework, which I've now called the Kara Framework. However with about a week to go before the start of the F1 season, it was obvious I would not be able to complete the framework, or the FF1GP application.

So what I did was, is used last years old legacy code for the 2007 season. When I'm ready, I'll move the FF1GP site to the new framework, which will happen later this year. I've got the data import tool written to take in the old data and convert it to the new format.

Delaying the release of the new site gives some other benefits, it allows me to test the new site alongside the new site.

Also the best part of delaying the release. I can be much more relaxed and get the code right.