Syntax poll

[Mikael Grev]

Since you asked, the reason is this.

If you talk about the fact then everyone is tainted by their actual place in the problem and argue with preconceptions. By using a metaphor about something that all know, but no one is in, makes it sometimes easier to discuss the problem objectively. One should never do it in absurdum though.

Also, I think it is quite fun.

Cheers,
Mikael

On Jun 11, 2011, at 19:49 PM, John Nilsson wrote:

> Why go with metaphors. HCI design is a well known field, with enough experience of different practices.
> 
> I'm no HCI expert by any means but in my limited experience of software design I think I have enough to plausibly suggest that the users are the last people to ask about features. At least before there are prototypes to demo.
> 
> To poll the community for syntax opinions maybe a first step would be to ask for example code they envision using lambdas for besides including some from this group. Writing each in different styles.
> 
> One aspect that I feel is important to include in a demo is how the syntax behaves in an IDE. Syntax highlighting, autocompletions, quickfixes (which part of the construct do you manipulate to get the correct context menu) and such issues.
> 
> BR
> John
> 
> Sent from my phone
> 
> Den 11 jun 2011 19:12 skrev "Mikael Grev" <grev at miginfocom.com>:
> > When you design and are wondering how the can *should* handle, ask the drivers.
> > 
> > After that the physicists know what to create.
> > 
> > When the car is done it will be tested by the journalists, which are more expert drivers than light physicists.
> > 
> > 
> > Btw, I should have made the metaphor about creating fighter jets instead, since I can speak from experience there. :)
> > 
> > 
> > On Jun 11, 2011, at 18:44 PM, Neal Gafter wrote:
> > 
> >> On Saturday, June 11, 2011, Mikael Grev <grev at miginfocom.com> wrote:
> >>> If you wanted to know how a car should handle in traffic, would you poll the doctors in theoretical physics that are the experts on the differential equations in the suspension, or would you ask the target audience drivers?
> >> 
> >> If you want to know how a car *will* handle in traffic, then ask the
> >> physicists. If you already have the car (which we do not) then ask
> >> the drivers.
> >> 
> >> And if your question is on how to design the car, certainly do not ask
> >> the drivers.
> >> 
> >> -Neal
> > 
> >