Re: gEDA-user: wishful UI

[John Doty <jpd@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Aug 7, 2010, at 1:38 PM, Stefan Salewski wrote:

> On Sat, 2010-08-07 at 11:33 -0600, John Doty wrote:
> 
>> 
>> Classification is opposed to modular, orthogonal design. Don't classify, describe.
> 
> And no, I do not really think so.
> 
> Classification is fine, it is a very powerful invention, and it can
> support modular design.

But more often it just supports sloppy thinking.

> For building my house, I buy components of class
> "window" and of class "door". This is modular design. In the shop I ask
> for windows, I do not describe like "a rectangular or rounded object,
> with a frame of wood or metal or plastic and with minimal light
> absorption for wavelength 400 to 760 nm of the inner.

If the door blows off your house, very few objects of class "door" will fill the hole, while a rigid slab of material of the appropriate dimensions would do the job.

In catalogs, the J110 FET is classified as a "switch", but in fact it can also be very effective as a low noise video amplifier. The J309 is classified as a "UHF amplifier and oscillator", but it also makes a fine low capacitance video switch. Here, the engineer who wants to make the best circuit should ignore the catalog classification and look at the specs.

In gEDA, we have a facility for designating "slots" in components. However, as DJ has pointed out, it is actually a general pin remapping facility, and can be productively used as such. Unfortunately, few can see past the label to the reality.

John Doty              Noqsi Aerospace, Ltd.
http://www.noqsi.com/
jpd@xxxxxxxxx




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