14 Sep
2017
14 Sep
'17
11:15 p.m.
On Sep 14, 2017, at 1:46 PM, Clem Cole
<clemc(a)ccc.com> wrote:
I think you are actually touching on an idea that has been around humanity for a long
time that is independent of the computer field. We call it "good taste." Part
of acquiring good taste is learning what is in bad taste, a heavy dose of experience and
frankly the ability to evaluate your own flaws.
More to do with a sense for quality. Often developed through experience
(but not just that). I think what we need is a guild system for
programmers/engineers. Being an apprentice of a master craftsman is
essential for learning this "good taste" as you call it.
Part of "good taste" is getting the job done and on time. Being "good
enough" and moving on to the next thing. Sun (certainly at the beginning) was
pretty good at this idea. The UNIX team clearly got a lot of it right.
Agreed.
[Just nitpicking here! I think we agree on the underlying concept]