From: Giles Bowkett <gilesb@...>
Date: 2006-06-09T14:36:41+09:00
Subject: Re: I love Ruby - But how bright is Ruby's Future?

> When I had a Real Job, I was glad when I was able to move from VB to
> Java, largely because I got to work with some very smart people writing
> good, inventive Java.  I learned a lot and it was fun.
>
> But a few years later, management changed, and what might be called the
> Corporate Mindset took over.  So, I was still doing Java, but the
> particulars were dictated: J2EE +iPlanet.  Ick.   We became framework
> scripters.
>
> No more using the language in whatever means was most appropriate.  They
>   wanted plug-and-play code by and for plug-and-play coders.  Instead of
> looking to see how to best build a business, people were looking mostly
> to preserve what they had, and would pick the safest choices to cover
> their asses.  (I.e., "Best practices: Adequate choices that probably
> won't get you fired.")
>
> So, it may be good if companies adopt Ruby, but if they end up
> dictating, for example, that *every* Web app *must* use Rails, even if
> their developers can offer better alternatives, then the fun can fade.

Yeah - this kind of mindset jeopardizes quality in exchange for
minimizing accountability. It's the anti-risk mindset. It's a mindset
that says "stay out of trouble," for the sake of job security. It's a
mindset that leads to bad code.

-- 
Giles Bowkett
http://www.gilesgoatboy.org