4 ms·

I always thought that productivity was on the X-axis and the cumulative summation of effort was the Y-axis, and the steepness of the curve was about the large s

by cninja 17y ago

I always thought that productivity was on the X-axis and the cumulative summation of effort was the Y-axis, and the steepness of the curve was about the large size of the derivative. But now that I write it all out, that is probably too much math to attribute to a common phrase.

skolor 17y ago
I've never associated a "steep learning curve" with the time it takes to learn, more that there is quite a bit of knowledge that is needed to have a baseline proficiency in it. I suppose that would put Usefulness/proficiency on the Y-axis and knowledge on the X.
- RiderOfGiraffes 17y ago
  Nope, that's still the wrong way round. If "usefulness" is Y and "knowledge" is X, and you needs lots of knowledge before it's useful, then the curve is shallow.
  - skolor 17y ago
    I see it something like: http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Plot[%28Sqrt[Pi]+Erf[3x%2B2]%29%2F2+%2B1%2C+{x%2C+-2%2C+2} http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Plot[%28Sqrt[Pi]+Erf[3x...]. At first, you can use it and get something done, but it isn't useful. As you learn more, it becomes slightly more useful, but not much, until it hits a point where you finally understand the interface, and can use the features to their complete intent. Having thought this through a little more, it seems more like bumps. For example, you can't do anything with Vim until you learn basic motion and insertion. That a bump. Then, you learn how to use the more complex motions, and get another bump. With something that has a steep learning curve it is done in bumps, rather than being smooth, because partial knowledge doesn't help any. If you think about it, if you only know the j and r commands in vim, you're not going to be doing anything at all, you're going to need to know at least hjkli before you can even use it.
  - cninja 17y ago
    I've decided that "steep learning curve" doesn't have to do with mathematical graphs at all. Saying something has a steep learning curve is the same as saying there is a barrier to entry. That barrier is knowledge, and a steep path over that barrier indicates a lot of of basic knowledge is necessary to get past the barrier.

by cninja 17y ago

skolor 17y ago

I've never associated a "steep learning curve" with the time it takes to learn, more that there is quite a bit of knowledge that is needed to have a baseline proficiency in it. I suppose that would put Usefulness/proficiency on the Y-axis and knowledge on the X.

RiderOfGiraffes 17y ago
Nope, that's still the wrong way round. If "usefulness" is Y and "knowledge" is X, and you needs lots of knowledge before it's useful, then the curve is shallow.
- skolor 17y ago
  I see it something like: http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Plot[%28Sqrt[Pi]+Erf[3x%2B2]%29%2F2+%2B1%2C+{x%2C+-2%2C+2} http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Plot[%28Sqrt[Pi]+Erf[3x...]. At first, you can use it and get something done, but it isn't useful. As you learn more, it becomes slightly more useful, but not much, until it hits a point where you finally understand the interface, and can use the features to their complete intent. Having thought this through a little more, it seems more like bumps. For example, you can't do anything with Vim until you learn basic motion and insertion. That a bump. Then, you learn how to use the more complex motions, and get another bump. With something that has a steep learning curve it is done in bumps, rather than being smooth, because partial knowledge doesn't help any. If you think about it, if you only know the j and r commands in vim, you're not going to be doing anything at all, you're going to need to know at least hjkli before you can even use it.
- cninja 17y ago
  I've decided that "steep learning curve" doesn't have to do with mathematical graphs at all. Saying something has a steep learning curve is the same as saying there is a barrier to entry. That barrier is knowledge, and a steep path over that barrier indicates a lot of of basic knowledge is necessary to get past the barrier.