@IanSudbery @da_667 @mhoye You are conflating different...

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@IanSudbery @da_667 @mhoye
You are conflating different things. Programmers dealing with documentation and error codes are not common drivers, they're the mechanics in your analogy. They are supposed to be able to understand. If the cars are actively hostile to fixing, it's a problem.

Like 1 Nov 2023 at 15:46 | Wall-to-wall | Open on lile.cl

7 comments

Adriano

@IanSudbery @da_667 @mhoye Having read essays by ESR, I do remember how the self-described Unix tribal elder states that documentation that only says things once and expects readers to figure out stuff on their own is good.

And this is absolute bullshit.

1 Nov 2023 at 15:48 | Open on lile.cl

Ian Sudbery

@adriano @da_667 @mhoye

I guess this gets to the nub of it: who should be able to do the work we are talking about? Should everyone be able to do it? Should it be resitricted to trained professional (mechanics). If so, how hard shuold it be to become a mechanic? Should anyone be able to do it with a little bit of time and some tutorials and manuals, or do you need a first class degree in engineering (automotive or software).

1 Nov 2023 at 16:23 | Open on genomic.social

Adriano

@IanSudbery @da_667 @mhoye Look, the original post talked about documentation for programmers. Not for everyone. Talking about documentation that serves everyone is a different conversation.

1 Nov 2023 at 16:24 | Open on lile.cl

Ian Sudbery

@adriano @da_667 @mhoye Actaully, I agree, mostly. I think we've gone off down an unhelpful analogy.

1 Nov 2023 at 16:28 | Open on genomic.social

Bee O'Problem

@adriano @IanSudbery @da_667 @mhoye the mechanics that have to deal with such cars agree with you. Some designers kinda just suck at making stuff that's easy to work with.

IIRC a Chrysler/Dodge model was pretty infamous for having a battery compartment that could only be accessed by removing a front wheel and a bunch of related parts. A normal car can have its battery replaced by opening the hood, undoing three nuts/bolts, putting in the new battery and reinstalling the nuts/bolts.

2 Nov 2023 at 0:35 | Open on mastodon.gamedev.place

da_667

@beeoproblem @adriano @IanSudbery @mhoye grand cherokees their batteries under the passenger seat.

BMWs have a nonstandard, much more expensive battery. Every field is serially awful.

2 Nov 2023 at 0:47 | Open on infosec.exchange

mhoye

@da_667 @beeoproblem @adriano @IanSudbery

I've replaced the air conditioner in a Honda CRV myself once, only taking it to the garage to top up the freon. The guy at the garage said "Listen: never sell this car. If you do, come talk to me first, but never sell this car." For that exact reason. Everything in it could be fixed with having to take everything else apart.

2 Nov 2023 at 1:45 | Open on mastodon.social