Closed-source considered harmful (was: JavaScript considered harmful)

[Garry Hodgson]

Ben Logan wrote:
> 
> I'm really responding to the wrong message, but I missed the previous
> one. :)
> 
> On Fri, Jan 11, 2002 at 07:42:03AM -0800, Aahz Maruch wrote:
> > In article <mailman.1010511911.6400.python-list at python.org>,
> > Mark McEahern <marklists at mceahern.com> wrote:
> > >Oleg Broytmann
> > >>
> > >> Users must understand their tools, because modern tools are too powerful,
> > >> and pressing incorrect button these days may easiliy lead to people death,
> > >> or huge money lost, and all that.
> > >
> > >Hmm, I don't really understand how my car works.  I don't think that has any
> > >impact on my ability to be a safe driver, though.
> 
> I would respectfully disagree that not understanding how a car works
> doesn't have an impact on your ability to be a safe driver.  While it
> is true that you don't need to be a mechanic, you do need (and do
> have, I imagine) a grasp of some of the basic concepts of how an auto
> works in order to be a safe and effective driver.  There are plenty of
> people who _don't_ and it is a primary cause of many types of
> accidents and unnecessary wear on vehicles.  (For example, huge multi-car
> pileups because of ice or fog.)

yeah, like people with four wheel drive vehicles who think that because
they can go in the snow, they can stop, too.

another vehicular example is motorcycles, where many a rider, in a tough
spot, steers into rather than out of trouble.  seems most don't
understand
countersteering, wherein a bike steers exactly the opposite of the way
you 
think it does.  i.e. you need to push the right handlebar forward to
turn right.


-- 
Garry Hodgson                   Let my inspiration flow
Senior Hacker                      in token rhyme suggesting rhythm
Software Innovation Services    that will not forsake me
AT&T Labs                          'til my tale is told and done.
garry at sage.att.com