[Python-Dev] aargh

[Ken Manheimer]

I'm feeling some dismay reading over recent postings to python-dev.
Particularly some of the rancor in the print discussion, and "Thank
god guido is still in charge, and not going to go crazy", countered by
"but guido said he was going to do this or that, ha" - i found myself
thinking that (1) i'm glad i'm not in guido's place, and (2) geeze,
aren't we making guido job harder, not easier?

What the heck is going on?

I think people are sounding off too much, posing features and opinions
when they don't *need* to do so.  People should think twice before
posing new python features - and hold off, a lot more of the time.
Treat every single thing you propose as if it costs something
significant - because it does!  Not only does it take bandwidth -
which could be concentrated on crucial ideas - but if the feature does
fly, it means sacrificing some established familiarity, a valuable
commodity in the language business.  Change costs, and usually needs
to be worth a lot to be worth the while!

Those of you offering lots of clever changes - what are you doing?  Do
you really think they're all so important, or are you just pleased to
be finding neat little ideas?  Everyone needs to hold out for what
they at least consider outstandingly important.

Ken
klm@digicool.com