I see users complaining all the time that something changed in their software. You know what's far worse than that, though? Software that never changes. The very best software is constantly evolving. The very worst.. isn't.
@codinghorror That's a JavaScript fan if I've ever met one.
@codinghorror @TheLarkInn Yes! That path ends up not this (what I saw today)
@codinghorror @PropCazhPM Sorry. Logical fallacy there. Change is only good if it adds value or needed utility. Otherwise it is change for change sake and that has no value.
@codinghorror Software used to change when you upgraded it. You would pick a time when you didn't have much on, and then move to the new version. Now things change by themselves. Things you need just disappear, and it happens at the busiest point in your schedule when you can least afford it.
@codinghorror @johncutlefish Why doesn’t this apply to the design of, say, a hammer?
@codinghorror Exhibit A: Winamp. They got it right very early on, and everything else was bells and whistles. IDK how long it's been since last version was released, and it is still great.
@codinghorror As others have said already: Changing things just for the sake of saying "Here, I changed something, I'm great software!" is a self-defeating exercise. I'd rather have a great, but static piece of software than a piece of constantly-evolving garbage.
@codinghorror Change does not equate improvement. Change for changes sake doesnt make users lifes easier.
@codinghorror On the other hand... I've met clients that are very happy using a software from the 90's that's never been updated, until the db crashes.
@codinghorror Evolve implies multiple different versions with the 'best' surviving. Software tends to be on a linear path that may be good or bad. Change for change sake definitely killed ICQ.
@codinghorror That’s assuming that the change made the product better and did not break the use case of the customer.
@codinghorror I would rather prefer a new version with all the changes, that I must install myself. Imagine Ikea steping into your house, upgrading your furniture, adding curtains to your windows, placing carpets... Please, only security updates, leave features for a new version...
@codinghorror Say I have a specification, a formally verified model of that specification, and an implementation strictly conforming to the model. It flawlessly avoids destroying the ISS during docking & doesn't murder a bunch of astronauts. So I don't change it. It's the very worst software?
@codinghorror People are often complaining more about their broken workflow than the change itself. xkcd.com/1172/
@codinghorror I know many that changed for worse: jira, Skype, Facebook , Twitter, Instagram , Mac OS, just to name a few
@codinghorror Is this in response to Google hiding the HTTP/S protocol and "www" in the Chrome address bar? (I believe I complained about that around the same time you posted this.). If so, Safari was already doing this and I didn't like it there either.
@codinghorror @edenpulse I'm Happily using irfanview a picture display software for 15 years. Installing it at every changes of computer. NO CHANGES since then #FTW
@codinghorror The latest version of ls has all sorts of great features. Too bad they dropped support for -l
@codinghorror that’s like saying this hammer is better because i redesigned it with the head on the bottom. i changed it and obviously change==better
@codinghorror YouTube and Azure portal should get awards for ceaselessly trying to make a great UI without ever succeeding.
@codinghorror But look at MS Windows as the ultimate in change that has no value. The huge expense to users requiring retraining. Training material and classes changed. In the end, no change in capability. Just a completely different way to do things which is, in fact less productive...
@codinghorror @johncutlefish As long as it satisfies needs it does not need to change.
@codinghorror I think we can all agree that surprising changes may be problematic.
@codinghorror I've generally been less than excited by those exciting new features or compelled by those compelling out of the box experiences. Then again, occasionally have been pleasantly surprised by new functionality introduced without much fanfare. Not a marketing type I guess.
@codinghorror @johncutlefish Well, it depends on what layer of the software you are changing. So far, when I move my mouse upwards, the cursor goes upwards, that hasn't changed in a while, I bet if you change that, your software would be out of the market very quickly.
@codinghorror Yeah but why did Android have to move the clock from the top right to the top left? 😠
@codinghorror Well, technically in a theoretical world, the 'best software', wouldn't have anything to improve upon.