A popular product line does not get "rebuilt" or "redesigned", it gets gradually upgraded.
Let's examine two cases:
Windows gets gradually upgraded without any major (let's face it) rewrites. Result: Well, it's a pretty crummy OS from a functionality and usability stance.
Mac OS gets a major rewrite for version 10. It wasn't perfect first time, sure, but it's come along by leaps and bounds. It's stable, fast and easy to use.
One case leaves you stuck in the past, afraid to try new things; the other you may have to tolerate some niggles, but in the end you get a better product for it.
I'll take the rewrites. Just my $0.02.
Even today: check the prices for things like IBM's rapid application developer, or the non-express version's of Visual Studio. Commercial tools are rarely free.
Apple are giving away the tools that their own engineers use. What's more: It's built on open technology.
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A popular product line does not get "rebuilt" or "redesigned", it gets gradually upgraded.
Let's examine two cases: Windows gets gradually upgraded without any major (let's face it) rewrites. Result: Well, it's a pretty crummy OS from a functionality and usability stance. Mac OS gets a major rewrite for version 10. It wasn't perfect first time, sure, but it's come along by leaps and bounds. It's stable, fast and easy to use. One case leaves you stuck in the past, afraid to try new things; the other you may have to tolerate some niggles, but in the end you get a better product for it. I'll take the rewrites. Just my $0.02.
Even today: check the prices for things like IBM's rapid application developer, or the non-express version's of Visual Studio. Commercial tools are rarely free. Apple are giving away the tools that their own engineers use. What's more: It's built on open technology.
I'd start at the end of the pier and walk towards the shore. :)
I thought of this actually. :)
http://www.tentakelvilla.de/mi1/screens/mi1-11.jpg