[MAldridge]

I typically will start out with a 'dream list' which is where I define everything that the code should ever do. Then I cut that down to what is core functionality - the stuff that absolutely cannot be dropped.

THEN, I actually look at what hardware I have available and start engineering the interfaces to handle the functionality in the code. Lastly, I start fighting windows and bugs (in that order). That last portion usually takes up about 90% of the time allotted for the project.