On Thu, Dec 4, 2014 at 4:09 PM, René A Valencourt
<RValencourt@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I agree with Gary here, in the sense that being objectively specific about
what may be good (or not, depending on the context!) about something is
preferable to me, and more useful (in that I know what to do with it), than
using a subjective term such as "modern" (which leaves me thinking "so
what?").
More specific terms are certainly clearer and more actionable, but
sometimes it's nice to have a blanket term which covers a whole
package of various specific goals or actions, particularly if they are
related or concurrent and serve an overarching broader goal. The IBM
i Modernization Redbook would have a much more unwieldy name if it had
to be more specific. Also, sometimes you know the overarching goal
before you know which specific goals will contribute to that, so it's
not like you even have the more specific words available to you.
On Thu, Dec 4, 2014 at 4:11 PM, Jeff Crosby <jlcrosby@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Instead of 'modernize' the word to use should be 'improve.'
I can definitely appreciate this sentiment, and I fully agree that we
should aim for "better" rather than aim for "newer". However, the
term "modernize" has the very definite connotation of trying to
leverage something newer (than what was available to us before) in the
service of making something better, especially if that includes making
future improvements easier.
The term "improvement" would cover things like fixing bugs, removing
redundant code, and even adding features; regardless of whether you've
leveraged newer techniques or newer technologies than what was already
in place. There are a lot of AS/400 shops out there which are still
improving their RPG III codebases, but not modernizing them.
It looks like folks who would prefer to avoid the term "modernization"
do so because they are afraid the reader/listener will lose sight of
the "aim for better" component and focus on the "aim for newer"
component. Fair enough. My position is that people who mistake
"newer" for "better" will make that mistake regardless of the
terminology we use. Thus, for me the point of using the term
"modernization" is to try to get people (including myself) to mobilize
and get on that path toward greater future gains, and not to be
content with "merely" improving.
John Y.
midrange.com
