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This what I like to call "both/and". I like both the old reliable and the new shiny. So often people want things to be "either/or". Either I'm going to use this
by milesf 10y ago
This what I like to call "both/and". I like both the old reliable and the new shiny. So often people want things to be "either/or". Either I'm going to use this solution or that one.
The key is to know the context of each, and I think this article does a very good job of describing when each ought to be used. He uses the boring reliable stuff on his own things, because he is beholden to no one and does not need to justify his decisions. And he also works with the exciting new stuff with clients, because it is simply easier to sell it to clients who are caught in the Silicon Valley echo chamber.
Both/And is like trying to hold a small bird in your hand: too tight and you'll crush the bird and it will die, too loose and it will fly away.
- nxc18 10y agoIts interesting to note that there is an inversion here. You'd think that for one's own enjoyment, the new and shiny would be the natural choice, while dependable and stable long-term would be reserved for people who need dependability and reliability long term (a.k.a. Clients).
- ynniv 10y agoThere is no inversion: new and shiny is what clients want, boring and dependable is what owners want. In this example he owns the boring products, and builds the shiny ones.
- gjvc 10y ago"new and shiny is what clients want, boring and dependable is what owners want" excellent summary.
- bunderbunder 10y agoI think it comes down to how you want to spend your free time. Some folks like to spend it building new things, and don't want to be hampered by having to spend time learning the ins and outs of $fancy_new_thing. Others like to spend it playing with new things, and don't like to be hampered by any technical limitations of $boring_old_thing.
- _betty_ 10y agoWhich in turn is normally defined by what you do at work. Eg I experiment a lot more at home when dealing with dull stuff at work