Re: gEDA-user: Database on symbols, footprints and other (was "Re: gattrib")

[John Doty <jpd@xxxxxxxxx>]

On May 6, 2010, at 9:28 PM, Jared Casper wrote:

> Sorry, bored tonight and want to jump in... ;)
> 
> On Thu, May 6, 2010 at 6:07 PM, John Doty <jpd@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> I encourage people to contribute to gedasymbols. Where is your contribution?
>> 
> 
> If gedasymbols is good, what's wrong with a tool to allow easier
> access to a gedasymbols-like-but-more-organized database?

Adding unnecessary layers to software makes it harder to use, not easier. It's already easy to pull things from gedasymbols.

> 
>> Not true. If the database behind the GUI tool is inadequate, the GUI gets in the way. Users will have to get used to reaching around it anyway. That will drive away everyone who thinks it should actually work, while the few remaining will drop back to the workable flow, and the cute GUI feature will have only driven people away.
>> 
> 
> Those that would be driven away by the fact that such a database isn't
> complete and perfect will almost certainly be driven away by the
> current situation.  But if gEDA is perfect as is and no more features
> should be added, why does it matter if people are driven away?  An
> open source project typically wants more users to have more
> contributors, but if contributions are unnecessary (or contributions
> are ignored, but that's another story) then it doesn't matter if
> people are driven away.

I have nothing against more users or more contributors. I have much against undisciplined development, particularly the notion that "features" have intrinsic value. I have much against unfactored monoliths. I have much against narrowly targeted solutions as opposed to flexible tools.

> 
>> Ah, but it does have to be perfect. Otherwise there will be lots of whining about what a piece of crap gEDA is. People won't be able to find their favorite component. People will design boards, fabricate them, and be shocked when pin numbers turn out to be wrong.
>> 
> 
> http://www.jwz.org/doc/worse-is-better.html
> 
>> Sure. Contribute your symbols to gedasymbols. I encourage this. But the delusion that this can somehow lead to a situation where a user can just pick a component from a menu without both careful checking and customization is damaging.
>> 
> 
> Just because it is hard and tedious to use use symbols/footprints from
> gedasymbols

But it isn't hard or tedious.

> won't discourage people who would use them blindly from
> doing so.  Easier access to such a database would make it easier to
> find existing symbols and pull them in for customization for those
> that know how to use the tool set.  Just because it may make it easier
> for people to shoot themselves in the foot is no reason not to have
> it.

It's important for a tool to avoid providing an illusion of safety.

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




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