Reading tip: "Why Does Software Spoil?"

Post by **admin** » 05 Jan 2008 18:29

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000973.html

enjoy,
Don

Post by **serendipity** » 05 Jan 2008 19:46

Nice read.

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 05 Jan 2008 20:08

I read parts, skimmed parts, and skipped some (as my right eye is bothering me), but based on that blog, I'd think adding a blurb to XY main page about the install/exe size being still relatively small wouldn't be a bad idea...

Speaking of the web site(s), I just now updated copyright date for XY in side panel to 2008. ..oops! Are there any other places that need that type of change?

Also, I'm wondering if the XY/product page has gotten just a tad too long and could/should be broken into two/three pages, as when I see such a long page, I tend not to want to read it as much...just my $.01!

Post by **admin** » 05 Jan 2008 20:19

j_c_hallgren wrote:I read parts, skimmed parts, and skipped some (as my right eye is bothering me), but based on that blog, I'd think adding a blurb to XY main page about the install/exe size being still relatively small wouldn't be a bad idea...

I'm actually thinking of a "No-Bloat Guarantee"-badge. I wonder if it wouldn't attract people if I guarantee that this software will look + function exactly as it does today in 5 years.
Now all you featuritis sufferers have fallen from your chair in shock!

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 05 Jan 2008 20:34

Huh? Ok, so I got back back on the chair now! I think you've done a great job thus far keeping XY compact yet adding new features that make it more usable and thus more desirable by users, so while the basic look+feel+function may stay the same, I think only adding stuff that is considered worthwhile to more than just one of us helps in this...translation: Don't ever add a fancy do-it-all FTP to make everyone happy, but a simple basic one that would keep most users happy, and if something like that could be handled mostly as optional module, then it might be even better.

Post by **serendipity** » 05 Jan 2008 20:50

admin wrote:I'm actually thinking of a "No-Bloat Guarantee"-badge. I wonder if it wouldn't attract people if I guarantee that this software will look + function exactly as it does today in 5 years.Now all you featuritis sufferers have fallen from your chair in shock!

Actually, you should benchmark (for speed) the current version of XY with the older versions to convince future users that XY's code is still slim/slick/unbloated. Ofcourse, it might be slightly slower but if its considerable then we are on the way to bloat. Actually, i i myself will go back and compare some old versions with the current one.
@DON: Can you please give me the first version of tracker you released?? I would love to see how it looked/worked 10 years back.

Post by **admin** » 05 Jan 2008 21:02

<---

PS: 6666 posts!

Post by **serendipity** » 05 Jan 2008 21:04

admin wrote:<---

PS: 6666 posts!

Nice number and nice logo

.

Post by **admin** » 05 Jan 2008 21:06

serendipity wrote:
admin wrote:<---

PS: 6666 posts!
Nice number and nice logo .

Well, I just squeezed it out in 2 minutes. I'm only joking...

But I will soon give you all some rank (dep on number of postings) graphics and titles! Just working on some flashy names...

Post by **j_c_hallgren** » 05 Jan 2008 21:17

admin wrote:But I will soon give you all some rank (dep on number of postings) graphics and titles! Just working on some flashy names...

Flashy names? My boss gave me nickname at last job of "J5" (short vers of "Johnny 5" - from movie Short Circuit) and I still use it in various places as my ID, etc.
Just don't make any graphics too big as that can make posts longer than needed...and remember that in terms of total posts, we have a dual-ID user who would rank as #3 when combined, as I add it up.

Jeff Bellune · Post by **Jeff Bellune** » 05 Jan 2008 22:16

Bloat Free is exactly why I am using XY rather than DOpus.

No one program should try to be all tools to all people. UDC, scripting and plug-ins can be used to add desired functionality on a user-by-user basis.

I'd like to see enhancements to existing features rather than a whole new never-been-seen-before feature.

Examples:

1. Searchable/Filterable configuration and customization dialogs enhance the existing dialogs.

2. Breadcrumbs in the Address Bar enhance the existing Address Bar.

3. Scripting enhances the existing UDC.

4. Folder specific settings enhance the existing tab/home/lock features.

Etc.

Now I'm using fuzzy logic and you may disagree with my choices, but that's the general idea - enhance rather than add.

But if a feature is "killer" both in the minds of the users and the developer, then its addition and the small increase in bloat is probably a worthwhile price to pay.

Just my $0.02.

-Jeff

Post by **serendipity** » 05 Jan 2008 23:08

I agree with Jeff on all accounts. XY can go a long way if it remains bloat-free (like it has for past 10 years).
BTW, I checked the start-up speed of the latest version 6.80 with last free version 5.55 (I tried my best to have similar settings). 5.55 loaded in 2.128 seconds and 6.80 in 2.685 seconds.

Post by **admin** » 06 Jan 2008 09:26

serendipity wrote:I agree with Jeff on all accounts. XY can go a long way if it remains bloat-free (like it has for past 10 years).
BTW, I checked the start-up speed of the latest version 6.80 with last free version 5.55 (I tried my best to have similar settings). 5.55 loaded in 2.128 seconds and 6.80 in 2.685 seconds.

You have a slow computer. I startup 6.80 in about 600 msec. Anyway, the difference is mainly the CKS, I suppose (I could find out, of course, but no time...).

Post by **admin** » 06 Jan 2008 09:32

Jeff Bellune wrote:Bloat Free is exactly why I am using XY rather than DOpus.

No one program should try to be all tools to all people. UDC, scripting and plug-ins can be used to add desired functionality on a user-by-user basis.

I'd like to see enhancements to existing features rather than a whole new never-been-seen-before feature.

Examples:

1. Searchable/Filterable configuration and customization dialogs enhance the existing dialogs.

2. Breadcrumbs in the Address Bar enhance the existing Address Bar.

3. Scripting enhances the existing UDC.

4. Folder specific settings enhance the existing tab/home/lock features.

Etc.

Now I'm using fuzzy logic and you may disagree with my choices, but that's the general idea - enhance rather than add.

But if a feature is "killer" both in the minds of the users and the developer, then its addition and the small increase in bloat is probably a worthwhile price to pay.

Just my $0.02.

-Jeff

I agree 100%!

I'm especially looking forward to the file-based scripting (aka script files). It's like "plugin user commands", very cool.

Post by **admin** » 06 Jan 2008 09:42

j_c_hallgren wrote:
admin wrote:But I will soon give you all some rank (dep on number of postings) graphics and titles! Just working on some flashy names...
Flashy names? My boss gave me nickname at last job of "J5" (short vers of "Johnny 5" - from movie Short Circuit) and I still use it in various places as my ID, etc.
Just don't make any graphics too big as that can make posts longer than needed...and remember that in terms of total posts, we have a dual-ID user who would rank as #3 when combined, as I add it up.

I thought about it again, and now I find it not such a good idea. It actually might lead to forum bloat! To get higher ranks people will begin writing superfluous mini-posts like "Thanks" -- "You're welcome" -- "You, too" -- etc.