Re: The great Java showcase (re: 2nd historic mistake)

["Brett J. Stonier" <bretts@brightwood.com>]

Paul Johnson wrote:

> In article <3402FD4D.C196785B@brightwood.com>, bretts@brightwood.com
> says...
>
> >What's fascinating to *me* is how much time and energy Eiffel
> proponents
> >spend attacking Java, instead of being content to use and offer this
> >(supposedly) superior language that, if it is truely so much better,
> >should win out in the end.
>
> If you really think that the technically superior solution will always
> win,
> I suggest you read up on the history of technology.  Some
> counter-examples
> are:
>
> VHS vs BETAMAX
> Decca vs LORAN
> IBM PC vs just about anything else.
> C++ vs Ada
>
> Paul.
>
> --
> Paul Johnson            | GEC-Marconi Ltd is not responsible for my
> opinions. |
> +44 1245 242244
> +-----------+-----------------------------------------+
> Work: <paul.johnson@gecm.com>       | You are lost in a twisty maze of
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> Home: <Paul@treetop.demon.co.uk>    | standards, all different.

I never said *always*, but yes, it does help.  What about the Japanese
car companies of the 80s?  However, that was not my main point, which is
that the Eiffel supporters are making themselves out to be elitists and
whiners.  Do you think it would have helped Betamax to stamp their feet
and yell "VHS sucks, we're better!" and "VHS tapes are only suitable for
music videos!"?  The problem here is that too many people already had
VHS machines, and when the competition tells you what you just purchased
is lousy (implying you must be a bit slow to have bought it in the first
place) it only serves to make you dislike them and turn you off to their
product.

So, when Eiffel people say "Java is a toy", all they are doing is
building resentment towards Eiffel, further sealing its fate.

Brett

P.S.  Your C++ vs Ada example is purely subjective.

P.P.S.  I do really like your Zork reference, though.

--
Brett S.
http://www.mtjeff.com/~calvin/devhbook