[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
[Author Index (this month)][Thread Index (this month)][Top of Archive]

Re: The software factory (was "Don't believe the hype?") (long)

Subject: Re: The software factory (was "Don't believe the hype?") (long)
From: Dick Margulis <margulis -at- fiam -dot- net>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 21:33:20 -0500


Mark Baker wrote:

Dick Margulis wrote:


Discoveries (rather than designs) generally do spring, if not full
formed like Minerva from the head of Zeus then from a well fertilized
field. However designs (as in the next umpteen versions of the Corolla)
do not represent discoveries


You are making a false dichotomy. There is no separate process for making
breakthroughs as opposed to designs. Breakthroughs come as a result of
design activities. Even where people deliberately set out to build something
significantly new, the achieve their ends by a dogged process of
experimentation and testing -- the process of designing the new invention.


Mark,

We differ on this point. I believe there is a real dichotomy between the process of scientific discovery and the process of engineering design. They are activities undertaken, generally, by people with different proclivities, personalities, and styles of thinking and working. I'm not suggesting that theoreticians, experimental scientists, and engineers can't all be friends and colleagues; but I do believe they follow distinguishable processes in their work. Yes, there can be process and discipline for all of them--just not the same process and discipline.

I stand by what I said earlier. I know I'm not going to persuade you, but on this one we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Dick




---
[This E-mail scanned for viruses at mail.fiam.net]


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

ROBOHELP IS THE INDUSTRY STANDARD IN HELP AUTHORING New RoboHelp X5 includes all new features such as, content management, multi-author support, distributed
workforce support, XML and PDF support, and much more!

Purchase new Macromedia RoboHelp X5 by March 31st and receive a $100 mail-in rebate. http://www.ehelp.com/techwr-l

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.


References:
RE: The software factory (was "Don't believe the hype?") (long): From: stevefjong
Re: The software factory (was "Don't believe the hype?") (long): From: Dick Margulis
Re: The software factory (was "Don't believe the hype?") (long): From: Mark Baker
Re: The software factory (was "Don't believe the hype?") (long): From: Dick Margulis
Re: The software factory (was "Don't believe the hype?") (long): From: Mark Baker

Previous by Author: Re: Who WRITES these things anyway?????
Next by Author: Re: If the job posting gives you a headache, what could the job be like?
Previous by Thread: Re: The software factory (was "Don't believe the hype?") (long)
Next by Thread: RE: The software factory (was "Don't believe the hype?") (long)

[Top of Archive] | [Author Index (this month)] | [Thread Index (this month)]

What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:

Sponsored Ads