3 ms·

You don't need to explain to "internet randos", and nobody expects you to. Public posts though will obviously get public commentary. However it's a great quest

You don't need to explain to "internet randos", and nobody expects you to. Public posts though will obviously get public commentary. However it's a great question to understand why certain decisions were made. The best engineers know that most of the work gets done in the planning and decision-making, not by stubbornly diving into something. If it was really the best decision at the time then the merits should stand the test, otherwise the defensiveness to answer is far more suspect than an innocent question.

dasil003 5y ago
You're missing the point. Asking why you did something is a reasonable question. Asking why you did not do something tends know-it-all and/or help-vampire territory.
- manigandham 5y ago
  Why you didn't do something is a completely valid question and often requires much more awareness (that it exists) and introspection (of how it fits) to figure why it wasn't the best choice. Instead of assuming the asker is a "know-it-all", what if they actually do know more? I've learned more from counter arguments (both hearing and making them) in all aspects of engineering and life in general. I'll never turn down such a question and actively engage them because it makes me aware of alternatives at the very least, and often helps in future decisions. There are plenty of stories posted on HN of poor decisions that probably could've been avoided if someone considered some alternatives.
  - Kye 5y ago
    Actually engaging with people who ask this question has never led to anything other than getting mired in batting back their own choices presented as obviously better than my choices. "Why don't you use Reaper?" "Why not Bitwig?" "Why not Linux?" "Why not Ardour?" "Why not LMMS?" (the answer is "I spent tens to thousands of hours in each and they all feel like a regression next to Ableton Live and my very stable and productive Windows 11 Pro install") This is music, but from this thread it sounds like it's the case with most fields. It's always the Standard Alternative Suggestions that assume the askee is an absolute novice who wouldn't be aware of and wouldn't have extensive experience trying or at least considering the entire space of possibilities before settling on a path. "Why do you assume the asker is a know-it-all?" Experience. It's cool that you have a different experience where it's not a waste of time.

dasil003 5y ago

You're missing the point. Asking why you did something is a reasonable question. Asking why you did not do something tends know-it-all and/or help-vampire territory.

manigandham 5y ago
Why you didn't do something is a completely valid question and often requires much more awareness (that it exists) and introspection (of how it fits) to figure why it wasn't the best choice. Instead of assuming the asker is a "know-it-all", what if they actually do know more? I've learned more from counter arguments (both hearing and making them) in all aspects of engineering and life in general. I'll never turn down such a question and actively engage them because it makes me aware of alternatives at the very least, and often helps in future decisions. There are plenty of stories posted on HN of poor decisions that probably could've been avoided if someone considered some alternatives.
- Kye 5y ago
  Actually engaging with people who ask this question has never led to anything other than getting mired in batting back their own choices presented as obviously better than my choices. "Why don't you use Reaper?" "Why not Bitwig?" "Why not Linux?" "Why not Ardour?" "Why not LMMS?" (the answer is "I spent tens to thousands of hours in each and they all feel like a regression next to Ableton Live and my very stable and productive Windows 11 Pro install") This is music, but from this thread it sounds like it's the case with most fields. It's always the Standard Alternative Suggestions that assume the askee is an absolute novice who wouldn't be aware of and wouldn't have extensive experience trying or at least considering the entire space of possibilities before settling on a path. "Why do you assume the asker is a know-it-all?" Experience. It's cool that you have a different experience where it's not a waste of time.