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On Situated Software - Designing For The Few?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the for-you-and-you-and-you dept.

janbjurstrom writes "Clay Shirky has published a thought-provoking (and long) essay discussing the concept of 'situated software', musing on changes in software development, from general systems catering to thousands towards applications 'form-fitted' to small, specific groups and particular social contexts. A lot of interesting observations about the differences." Shirky argues: "Most software built for large numbers of users or designed to last indefinitely fails at both goals anyway. Situated software is a way of saying 'Most software gets only a few users for a short period; why not take advantage of designing with that in mind?'"

6 of 102 comments (clear)

  1. Frost Prist! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    mwahahaha

    Take that, /.!

    love,
    cornjchob

  2. sadadasa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    errrr wtf

  3. Sorry, but I had to do a first post. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Sorry, but I had to do a first post.

  4. Sorry, but you FAILED IT!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Sorry, but you FAILED IT!!

  5. What!? My Software isn't the Killer App? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Surely this is an april-fools joke. My programming skills are matched only by my pompousity.

  6. Someone ought to form fit Ximian Evolution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I'm fed up with all the confusion from the American date format.

    "No, Sir. 1/4/2004 does not mean 1st of April. No, I can't change the format for you. This program was made by American geeks who have not yet left their parents basement."