lit/quotes/ SomeOfMine
On Software and Freedom
"Who wants.a mouse that only works with Photshop?"
"The best way to manage code complexity is by not having it in the first place"
"The best way to fix bugs is not to write them in the first place – keep it simple."
"Even the best idea can be killed by some greedy arsehole locking it up and charging rent for access."
"What isn't free will never become truly ubiquitous."
—John Allsup
On Modern Software Engineering
"Coding should be enjoyable and fun. Code responsibly: when the fun stops, stop." (paraphrasing the gambling ads)
"The travesty of modern software engineering is like this. When all you want is a bicycle that works, they insist on building you a 100 tonne locomotive. It may go faster, but it has the weight of a 100 tonne locomotive, the maintenance issues of a 100 tonne locomotive. It requires a fully qualified train driver. It has all the manoeuvrability of a 100 tonne locomotive. And it's not even as if you can just chain it to a lamppost when you want to stop somewhere."
—John Allsup
On Computer Programming Languages
"Sometimes you want Turing Completeness, other times you do not. Sometimes Turing Completeness is the last thing you want in a configuration language: Turing Completeness means, amongst other things, that it is impossible to completely and rigorously reason about arbitrary programs written in such a language."
—John Allsup
On Mathematics
"Mathematics is, in a certain sense, an abbreviated and condensed form of written language which has evolved through the ages for the purpose of communicating abstract ideas. In this sense, it has much in common with music, though the ideas communicated are different in nature."
—John Allsup
On Operating Systems
"Using macos is like trying to f@$k in a rubber glove: it may help keep you safe, but it totally insulates you from what is actually going on."
"GUIs are like microwave meals. Yes, they're easier, but you shouldn't limit yourself to them."
—John Allsup
Society and Politics
"Our modern society is basically Oligarchical Capitalist Feudalism, where anybody who isn't a multimillionaire is effectively a piece of cattle being farmed for their productivity."
—John Allsup
General
"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should; but it may be fun to try!"
"Life, and learning, is a journey. Every day you start from where you are — not where somebody else has been."
—John Allsup