Re: [BLACKBOX] Seasoned Linux.

From: [at]} <Wojtek>
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2011 20:44:45 -0500

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> The cost of developing widely used operating system seems to be
> outrageous because the world seems to require overly numerous and
> complicated capabilities.

Probably true. But this is true regarding many human activities. For
example, think of growing crops. The cost of growing crops is outrageous.
What even worse, crops seem to disappear sometime before the next growing
season (how can this possibly happen?) and humanity has to grow new crops
again.

The never-ending cycle of writing / using / discarding software
has some resemblance to growing crops. Should we stop this wasteful cycle
in either case? Durable crops seem a reasonable idea (think plastic).
Is durable software equally reasonable?

The truth is, that the core of the economy is to make / discard / make
again. How can we stop the cycle?

> Is this worth consideration or is it completely foolish?

A few observations. First, commodity software is like any other
commodity. The faster it gets replaced, the better for the economic
cycle. (Who is using Acrobat 4 these days, except myself?) Those, who
suceeded in making durable software, do not receive any recurring
revenue. I know one such example.

A better strategy for a company is to intoxicate its clients so they
return. I do not think one can intoxicate with a product which just works.
Seems illogical, but I have seen again and again, that the biggest heroes
are those who manufacture the largest bugs, and then shoot them down with
the loudest noise.

Be realistic. In a real world software which crashes is better than the
one which runs reliably. Software engineers need to justify their
salaries.

Another observation is that Linux community is pretty militant. I am not
sure if they want to see any improvement to their product other that the
one they provide themselves (with lots of noise).

Trying to sell type safety to these folks is like trying to sell the idea
of safe guns to NRA. You know, guns with trigger locks and microprinted
barrels. What the NRA member really wants is a gun which as unsafe as
hell, to be able to tell his wife "see honey, today I managed not to kill
you or the kids". Both he and his wife will believe he is a hero.

Happy New Year to everyone,

Wojtek

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Received on Wed Jan 05 2011 - 02:44:45 UTC