kilon.alios wrote > I do agree, that nomads do not build cathedrals but there is the flip side > of the coin, why one would want to be a nomad and the great benefits > coming > with being a nomad > > Guido the creator of python explains it from the side of the Python > Standard library but I think it applies fine for Pharo too
Cathedral to me means architecture i.e. the application of forethought and understanding to make the most beautiful, functional structure in the most efficient way VS. nomads slapping together temporary mud huts that can be abandoned and easily rebuilt elsewhere in better conditions. This is orthogonal to the also-important issue that rigidity often accompanies a large user-base. One could have a beautiful cathedral that is frequented only by the faithful, and not turned into a tourist attraction like Notre Dame or Il Duomo di Firenze. Steph often says that if we were looking to be famous, we'd be programming in Ruby ;) Conversely, one could have a mud hut that becomes a historic landmark or revered for it's earthly charm, and can never be improved. And as for popularity = rigidity, that's certainly true for languages taken up by pop culture. That is because of one of Alan Kay's frequent observations - that nearly everyone is driven by utility, with only a tiny minority concerned inherently with ideas. Once people are programming a language because that's the language "you're supposed to use" - like C++ or Ruby - the utilitarianists flock in, and, because they are concerned only with its usefulness, they will not tolerate much disturbance due to "beauty", "design", or other intangibles. But, who says we have to go there? I for one am not interested in that game. One estimate says there are 18.5 million software developers in the world [1]. I don't remember the exact percentage of inherent-idea people, but let's be extremely conservative and say 5% (I think it was much higher). That gives us 0.05 x 18.5M = 925,000 potential Pharo users that would revel in the idea of an infinite game pursuing a beautiful, simple liberator of human expression; and therefore willing to tolerate and adapt themselves to the inevitable change, just like we all do now. Now, here's the important thing to remember... As we get more popular, the above plan will leave over 17,500,000 potential complainers to potentially distract and discourage us! These are the challenges of those who dare to venture into the Blue Plane, but isn't it a beautiful game?! [1] http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/european-technology/there-are-185-million-software-developers-in-the-world-but-which-country-has-the-most/ ----- Cheers, Sean -- View this message in context: http://forum.world.st/Slides-from-the-Pharo-Status-talk-at-FOSDEM-2015-tp4803290p4803407.html Sent from the Pharo Smalltalk Users mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
