[brilyient]

This is simply brilliant.

It's fascinating.

I sometimes think that these people who puch for the "second system" really have no idea the problems they are bringing about. That is, it is innocent.

Hate me for saying so, but there are just a lot of people working in software who lack a sense of wisdom. Folks like Fred Brooks who can see the madness are few and far between. Even rarer are those who both see the stupidity and take action to stop it.

[chipsy]

I think there's a "human factors" problem in action with second systems. The first system needs to be allowed to age before the second one becomes worthwhile - simply because more understanding will exist of both the problem domain, and how it was solved before.

And if it's different people doing the second one, watch out.

[PLejeck]

The first generation of a technology is fueled by necessity. It's often a tiny project with only a few guys, and they portray it as "hey, I made this thing, if you wanna use it too, cool"

The second generation is often fueled by things which were lacking or missing in the first version. At this point, the first generation is widely adopted, and now everybody and their brother wants their say in it.

Design by committee is bad. Design by brainstorm is good. Formality breaks everything.

[dpritchett]

Don't miss this cool insider look on Netscape's second system failure from jwz and Brendan Eich: http://gigamonkeys.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/a-tale-of-two-re...