Depending on who you ask, I would be described as one of the most laid-back, laissez-faire people around, or a dangerously megalomaniac, unrealiable weirdo [Author’s Note: this would lead us astray], and so in terms of what-software-to-use, I would consider most people as the world-leading expert in what works best for them personally.
However, one pattern seems to grind my gears, and while I don’t feel that the Schneide Blog is the best place for overbearing rants based on minor inconveniences, I still recognize a pattern that might be worrying because it is, at least, getting more and more common.
There is some software that is ALWAYS, whenever you start it, surprising you with a software update. Sometimes it is forced upon you, sometimes with sleazy sleights of hand, sometimes you even have the right to have a say in that matter, but nevertheless, it’s ALWAYS. Might not be numerical-always, but still noone on Polymarket would bet against you, so, it’s ALWAYS.
In case you would’t know what software I am talking about – I can give you several names from the top of my head – but you probably know lots of examples on your own 🙂
My core message is, that currently, these scream: “I will bring you harm!”
What is going on with software, having a need to constantly disturb my workflow – a thing that is holy for any serious software developer?
(a) maybe the border-radius of the third panel in the About… dialog was slightly off, and the application shutdown could be improved about 200-300µs.
(b) they are now relying purely on AI to write their most critical core features, with no sensitivity for security whatsoever.And while I can totally understand (a), in current times you should be honest to endorse – unless you know better – it must be (b).
I, myself, am sometimes willing to recognize that I am not the most risk-averse human in the history of the world, maybe ever; and you probably really are more of an expert of what is good for you than my opinion would count; so, I also use some of these regularly. So, do your own what-could-possibly-go-wrong-gambles, but it is our job to at least feel smart about it when shit is going down (in hindsight, naturally).
Point is, I _could_ be bothered to check the release notes of any of these before any update. But because their move is “we demand on this urgency”, and my thought is “I’m in the process of saving my customer’s life (again)”, I will rarely do that, and unless they communicate better, I think there needs to be a rightful place to call these dangerously megalomaniac, unreliable weirdos out.
Schneide Blog 