4 ms·

> It is rather simple: The tools don't matter. Its hard to read past nonsense like this.

hef19898 4y ago
They do, and then they don't. The best tool, and remember that definition is highly subjective and situation dependant, doesn't help you if you a) have no idea how to use it properly and b) don't have a framework to use it in. Once tool quality passes a certain threshold, it the user that matters.
exmadscientist 4y ago
It's entirely true, though. If you can deliver good work, on time, integrating well with your team (as applicable), then no one cares what tools you used or generally how you did it. It might be very important to you, and you can absolutely spend time on getting your setup right for you, but you should not make the mistake of thinking that anyone else cares.
- chongli 4y ago
  No it isn't. The Romans were every bit as smart as we are today. The biggest difference between us and them is our tools. Similarly, compare the computers of the 60's (or even the 80's) to the computers of today. The difference in outcomes reflects the difference in capabilities.
  - afarrell 4y ago
    The Romans were not as smart as us because they did not have the tools to understand the neurological effect of lead poisoning.
    - falcolas 4y ago
      They realized they were being poisoned, but they had the cause confused - they blamed it on acidic foods, since non-acidic foods wouldn't leech much lead out of their utensils.
    - ablob 4y ago
      The Romans would be less smart than us, if they had the tools to understand the neurological effect of lead poisoning but couldn't do it anyway.
  - falcolas 4y ago
    > The biggest difference between us and them is our tools. Technology (gained throughout history) moreso than tools. For example, the Romans had concrete, (and it's a kind we still use occasionally), but we have about 1,000 different types of concrete, all with different mechanical properties and capabilities. We have concrete water can flow freely through. We have concrete (well, more accurately techniques of building concrete forms) which has strength in tension. We have concrete which can bend, we have concrete which is astoundingly light. We have concrete we can can pump, and we have concrete which we can mechanically compact. But when it comes to tools - aside from transporting concrete - we still use forms, screeding boards, and trowels in a dozen different shapes. Even the best concrete surfacing tools are trowels spun with a motor.
falcolas 4y ago
People can - do, and always have done - work around tool deficiencies. Once you're familiar with a tool, the simple act of moving to another tool will be what slows you down, but you'll get back up to speed soon enough. The only place tool choice really matters is when you're part of a team who has to pass their work around. If you're not using the same tool - whichever tool it may be - it adds needless friction.
- 082349872349872 4y ago
  In principle, if stuck on a desert island, we all could recreate our tools, right? (stuck, w/plenty of hardware and electricity, that is)
  - falcolas 4y ago
    Whole rant... responding to the wrong comment. Anyways. Could we re-create our programming tools? Eventually. So long as we have a computer and a whole lot of time. Bootstrapping a programming language to create an operating system's going to be a real bear though. Now then, making those tools efficient (namely optimizing compilers) and safe is going to take a whole lot of time and brainpower.

hef19898 4y ago

They do, and then they don't. The best tool, and remember that definition is highly subjective and situation dependant, doesn't help you if you a) have no idea how to use it properly and b) don't have a framework to use it in. Once tool quality passes a certain threshold, it the user that matters.

exmadscientist 4y ago

It's entirely true, though. If you can deliver good work, on time, integrating well with your team (as applicable), then no one cares what tools you used or generally how you did it. It might be very important to you, and you can absolutely spend time on getting your setup right for you, but you should not make the mistake of thinking that anyone else cares.

chongli 4y ago
No it isn't. The Romans were every bit as smart as we are today. The biggest difference between us and them is our tools. Similarly, compare the computers of the 60's (or even the 80's) to the computers of today. The difference in outcomes reflects the difference in capabilities.
- afarrell 4y ago
  The Romans were not as smart as us because they did not have the tools to understand the neurological effect of lead poisoning.
  - falcolas 4y ago
    They realized they were being poisoned, but they had the cause confused - they blamed it on acidic foods, since non-acidic foods wouldn't leech much lead out of their utensils.
  - ablob 4y ago
    The Romans would be less smart than us, if they had the tools to understand the neurological effect of lead poisoning but couldn't do it anyway.
- falcolas 4y ago
  > The biggest difference between us and them is our tools. Technology (gained throughout history) moreso than tools. For example, the Romans had concrete, (and it's a kind we still use occasionally), but we have about 1,000 different types of concrete, all with different mechanical properties and capabilities. We have concrete water can flow freely through. We have concrete (well, more accurately techniques of building concrete forms) which has strength in tension. We have concrete which can bend, we have concrete which is astoundingly light. We have concrete we can can pump, and we have concrete which we can mechanically compact. But when it comes to tools - aside from transporting concrete - we still use forms, screeding boards, and trowels in a dozen different shapes. Even the best concrete surfacing tools are trowels spun with a motor.

falcolas 4y ago

People can - do, and always have done - work around tool deficiencies. Once you're familiar with a tool, the simple act of moving to another tool will be what slows you down, but you'll get back up to speed soon enough. The only place tool choice really matters is when you're part of a team who has to pass their work around. If you're not using the same tool - whichever tool it may be - it adds needless friction.

082349872349872 4y ago
In principle, if stuck on a desert island, we all could recreate our tools, right? (stuck, w/plenty of hardware and electricity, that is)
- falcolas 4y ago
  Whole rant... responding to the wrong comment. Anyways. Could we re-create our programming tools? Eventually. So long as we have a computer and a whole lot of time. Bootstrapping a programming language to create an operating system's going to be a real bear though. Now then, making those tools efficient (namely optimizing compilers) and safe is going to take a whole lot of time and brainpower.