meta-douglasp - Programming for the Masses

Saturday, September 08, 2007

A lot of folks ask me what I am working on these days.

My answer is typically the same: Making my mom into a programmer.

Once I say this, I get some strange looks.

Then I remind them what it was like 20 years ago to create professional quality photographs, modify them (crop, red eye, etc.) and then create a personalized photobook.

I remind them what it was like 20 years ago to create a professional quality multi-track musical recording and distribute this to a broad audience.

I remind them what it was like 20 years ago to shoot, edit, and release a quality video production.

Back in 1987, this was the domain of 'professionals' in these fields.

Today, this is the domain of anyone with iLife.

Programming as art. Programming for my mom. That is what I am working on.

Saturday, September 08, 2007 1:07:45 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

Comments [5] -

Saturday, September 08, 2007 2:50:04 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

Interesting ideas - I guess though it totally depends on what your definition of "professional quality multi-track musical recording". My wife's family is in the music business and have been for many years (as our some of our friends). ProTools and home studios do not produce what most "experts" consider "professional" sounding recordings.

And considering the general state of developing today (delays, bugs, incompatabilities) - I'm not looking forward to using a program built by your mom. No offense to your mom - I wouldn't want one built by my mom either.

Jon Flanders

Monday, September 10, 2007 12:55:46 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

Programming can mean a lot of different things. Along one trajectory, for about 20 years, it has increasingly meant putting together components ("ingredients") in an artful way to create a solution ("stew"). If that's what you're suggesting you want to enable your mom to do, then I'm with you 100%.

Jon Udell

Monday, September 10, 2007 8:41:29 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

Comment 1: I just want my mom to create and use her own programs -- not you or me, for that matter. :-)

Comment 2: That is exactly what I am saying!

douglasp

Thursday, September 13, 2007 4:31:26 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

Well then your analogy breaks down more - since you are talking about things that are released to others. If you had said "Create a multi-track recording for myself" - then it would make more sense.

Jon Flanders

Thursday, September 13, 2007 8:22:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

I was joking. I am sure that my mom's program will be wonderful. Just like the photos, music, ... that she produces today. Perhaps not professional (which I should consider removing above), but certainly consumable and enjoyable.

douglasp

Comments are closed.