[bdrool]

He proposes removing the rule about "quiet working conditions" and even says "There is no right or wrong answer for which is correct." On the contrary, there is a lot of scientific evidence that quiet enhances concentration and productivity.

[jrs95]

It's more than just quiet. Having a totally open work space creates a lot of visual distractions as well. People walking around you all the time is far more distracting than the noise in my experience.

[wst_]

I believe you are speaking for yourself, now. On the contrary, I find open space much better. I like to see people around me. Talk to them. Exchange ideas. And if I want to keep to myself, I just put on the headphones. That also contradicts the "silence" argument. I'd gone mad in a silent environment. I need a music. It's all really individual and one definite​ answer does not exist.

[rachbowyer]

Re-reading the original Joel test, it is clear that Joel means quiet in the sense of free from interruptions.

There has been an ongoing debate on the benefits of having developers in separate offices for many years versus have developers in an open plan office. There are arguments in favour of both sides. Joel, however, has plumped for having developers in their own offices.

So in this case I believe that Joel's (opinionated) views remain as valid now as they did when he wrote them. After all, even though there have been improvements in noise cancelling headsets (and office etiquette now allows wearing them), it doesn't stop interruptions from other developers.

[oceanghost]

There is no "ongoing debate." "Open Workspaces" are the cheapest possible way to house workers and are almost the anthesis of what scientific studies have recommended.

Have you ever considered that the management types arguing in favor or open workspaces-- usually work in an office themselves? The last VP I worked for, bought the engineering team a fucking table to work at -- stuck it at the end of a hallway, and literally spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on his office.

The engineering team heard the message pretty loud and clear.

[rjbwork]

This is my main point of contention with the article as well.