On Monday 06 May 2002 14:48, you wrote:
> The fact is we DO expect to operate a computer without having to enroll in
> a defensive computing class, though I think it might be warranted just the
> same.
> People also expect to get work out of their microwave oven or TV set as
> soon as they turn it on. Why not the computer? It's not sacred. It's
> just an appliance.
An appliance has its function predetermined, a computer does not
its what i often mean by "winblows limited" thinking, the brain
damage caused by winblows, the destruction of creativity
and the forming of a box around the brain that it soon cannot
operate outside of.
A toaster makes toast but it cannot ... well it makes toast.
And a TV set ... well its a video receiver
And winblows .. is well winblows
Unix on the otherhand, look and feel, user interface, end
use, nothing is predetermined, because no human on earth could
hope to know what you desire of it, unless your precooking
prefab for the Kelly girls in the secretarial pool or a touch
screen order station for a burger stand. and then the aim
is to provide the tools not force anyone to accept anything.
Chapter 1: Philosophy Matters
"Those who do not understand Unix are condemned to reinvent it, poorly."
-- Henry Spencer
Write small pieces connected by clean interfaces.
Design programs to communicate easily with other programs.
Robustness is the child of transparency and simplicity.
Design for simplicity; add complexity only where you must.
Design for transparency; spend effort early to save effort later.
In interface design, obey the Rule of Least Surprise.
Programmer time is expensive; conserve it in preference to machine time.
Avoid hand-hacking; write programs to write programs when you can.
Use smart data so program logic can be stupid and robust.
Prototype, then polish. Get it working before you optimize it.
Distrust all claims for ``one true way''.
http://tuxedo.org/~esr/writings/taoup/
That paper explains much, for those not adverse to brainfood.
Raymond
Received on Mon May 06 2002 - 16:30:46 BST