From: james@...
Date: 2002-03-24T14:05:41+09:00
Subject: RE: Windows version of Ruby (proposals)

>
> When you say "on the sly" ... what were they /supposed/ to be doing?

My experience has been that developers often work at odds with IT foot
soldiers.

I always figured that part of my job was to play around and experiment. The
people running the IT/development hierarchy were way out of touch, and more
interested in making deals with golfing buddies than pursuing the best
technology.

That led me to explore Linux as an alternative to Solaris.  Developers
could not simply demand a second PC without a whole song and dance with IT,
accounting, purchasing, and so on.  IT folks tended to get mad when any
machine deviated from the standard installation.  So, the appearance of
Linux boxes was semi-clandestine.

Basically all in the spirit of skunkworks, and a desire to have developers
use the best tools to build the best products. Besides, it's fun to be in a
secret society.


James



> Ronald E Jeffries
>