This thread is inspired (and inspired is the right word) by Kent's stinging comment about "annoying breakthroughs" :-) Stinging comments can be a "whack on the side of the head", that is, a spur to creativity.
First, let me say that my short responses in the thread "Two questions: quality, understanding" have a purpose: they are intended to stay on topic. Recall that the two questions are: 1. How can I improve Leo's quality? 2. (Revised) How can we better understand complex computer programs? Either question can be answered from two opposite directions: A: Kaizen: continuous incremental improvement. B: "True" Breakthroughs: unexpected, "totally" new ideas and techniques. In fact, these two directions are intimately connected. Each helps the other. You could say that they are at opposite ends of a continuum. Kaizen is at the "long" end. It focuses on details. "Annoying" Aha's live here--Aha's so small that some might roll their eyes at calling them an Aha. At this end of the spectrum, all that counts is movement, however tiny, in the forward direction. "Big" breakthroughs are at the "short" end. They have a memorable, pithy summary that alters the world significantly. Here are Leo's big Aha's: - Webs are outlines in disguise. - Use the MORE outliner as a prototype. - @others connects code with outlines. - Clones create views. - @button brings scripts to data. - A bridge between Leo and IPython is possible. - Use caching, not faster code, to speed up Leo's read logic. As I write this, I see that dreams can arise anywhere on the spectrum of detail. Some dreams are unfocused, with little detail, other are heavily focused an heavily influenced by detail. In fact, both vague yearnings and specific problems can prime the subconscious pump. With these ideas in mind, I'll be returning to the "Two questions" thread. Edward -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "leo-editor" group. To post to this group, send email to leo-editor@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to leo-editor+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/leo-editor?hl=en.
