- Freestanding Blackbox applications?

From: Bob Walkden <"Bob>
Date: Thu, 18 May 2006 23:23:12 +0100

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>
> Yes of course, but I would not bet on the success of "proselyting".
> As I can see it around, most professionals are not attracted
> to merits.
> The modern workplace works something like this: anything that
> the boss says is good, is good. I cannot convert my collegaue
> against his/her boss in any area. In such an environment, one
> needs to be independent in order to pursue a non-standard
> tool. People who maintain their independence are rare.

Yes. Just as dayglow zebras are rare on the Serengeti plain. There is a
certain Darwinian algorithm in operation in which the boss represents the
winnowing forces of natural selection.

> It is
> not by accident that many Blackbox users are in academia, or
> are independent software developers, or teachers. These are
> the situations where one can be independent.
>
> So, if you can see a prospective convert who is also a
> thinking and independent person, by all means go after such a
> prospect. But most of the time we are dealing with victims of
> the modern workplace system, who have cheerfully surrendered
> their independence long ago.

Not necessarily cheerfully, and not necessarily surrendered. Does the zebra
look cheerful and surrendered with the lion on its back?

> It is usually hopeless to show
> Blackbox to such people. Or anything else, for that matter.
>

'Such people' have to make a living. I have been one of these people, and
now I'm one of the bosses. We have 80 developers working for us. If we
introduced BB, much as I'd like to, we would have to find or train 80 BB
developers who would also be prepared to maintain the legacy software, and
who would not be able to find another BB job anywhere. It's not going to
happen. This sort of thing needs a lot of critical mass and BB has missed
the boat, until Microsoft decide to adopt it. When do you think that will
be? The best that we can hope for is that enough Wirthians enter Microsoft
Research to spread the spirit of Oberon from within.

Bob

--- BlackBox
--- send subject HELP or UNSUBSCRIBE to blackbox{([at]})nowhere.xy



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Received on Fri May 19 2006 - 00:23:12 UTC