RE: Service Programs VS normal Programs (Jon Paris)

["Jon Paris" <Jon.Paris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 >> the truth of the matter is that, if it works, it may well not need to be
touched.  Ever.

I _very_ clearly stated that I was in agreement with that position Joe.  If
_nothing_ ever changes then a rewrite is probably pointless.  But I cannot
agree with James - I have met hundreds of programmers who used the "it ain't
broke" argument as an excuse for not doing/learning anything new.  I have
met very few who make changes just for the fun of it or to use the latest
sexiest features.

I do know that a very large percentage of 400 shops that I meet who stick to
the "ain't broke" philosophy find themselves under constant threat from
Windows/Uni*x "solutions".  Very few of "explorers" seem to be in that
position.

Personally I think that there is a lot of benefit to "playing" (and I know
you do this Joe).  As adults we seem to forget that all of the really
important things in our lives we learnt while playing as children.  We
learnt to walk by falling over - think about it - walking is just a series
of controlled falls!  Why does "play" become an evil because we are adults?
If we use the latest and greatest - even if there is no immediate
quantifiable ROI - don't we get an ROI later when faced with new programming
challenges?

Jon Paris
Partner400
www.Partner400.com