Once upon a time on the MML (Mazda Mailing List)...
Alain wrote, "It's been almost four years since Mazda produced a rotary
engine automobile for the US market, and I'm tired of hearing Rob whine
about how much he misses his RX4 and how the world needs a simple, rotary
engine vehicle...why don't we build our own."
And so the FreeRx project began.
"I've done some preliminary design work on a rotary engine", offered Uli.
"I have some ideas of my own, lets compare notes" Anthony replied.
And after the technical experts reviewed the work in progress, it was
decided that Anthony would take the lead in designing and building the
engine.
Now it was time to build the interface between the engine and the world.
"Since I built the engine, I'll design the drive train, suspension, and
wheels", said Anthony. And the group said, "Go for it, Anthony!"
"I'll design the body," said Adrian. And the group said, "Go for it, Adrian!"
"I'll do the upholstery and interior refinements", said Alain. And the
group said, "Go for it, Alain!"
"I'll provide the dashboard and instruments", said Uli. And the group
said, "Go for it, Uli!"
"I'll do the throttle, brake, and steering controls", said Rob. And the
group said, "Go for it, Rob!"
"OK", said Alain. "Lets all meet here in three months to assemble
FreeRx...and don't forget: each of us must write one or more chapters for
the owners manual."
...
Anthony thought, "We don't want to be constrained by the RX7's 115kg
maximum passenger size; so I am going to build 4WD, high ground clearence,
and all terain wheels." And Anthony did an excellent job.
Adrian thought, "The essence of the RX7 is its sleek, low styling; so I'm
going to make the FreeRx body sleeker and lower and in translucent bondi &
tangerine." And Adrian did an excellent job.
Alain thought, "Retro is in; so I'll design the interior in 50s style with
nagahide tuck and roll, chrome, and manual roll up windows." And Alain did
an excellent job.
Uli thought, "FreeRx should showcase the latest digital readouts on the
windshield like those in jet fighters." And Uli did an excellent job.
Rob thought, "I personally think push button controls are superior to the
steering wheel, brake, and accelerator; so I'm going to design something
completely different." And Rob did an excellent job...or not, depending on
how the world would responded to the new controls.
...
Our intreped fivesome meet three months later to assemble their creation.
Write your own ending ...
###
For a real world example of FreeRx, pick up the Bourn Shell manual that
came with Berkeley Unix in the mid 1980s. One only needs to thumb through
three or four pages to realize each command in this UI was written totally
without regard to the rest of the commands. The commands were presented in
different formats and writing styles. Much worse, a modifyer for one
command (eg: "/A") would mean one thing for one command and something else
for another command. Commands would often use the same modifier for
different purposes or different modifiers for the same purpose.
Coming next...how to achieve compatability.
Rob Cozens, CCW
http://www.serendipitysoftware.com/who.html
"And I, which was two fooles, do so grow three;
Who are a little wise, the best fooles bee."
from "The Triple Foole" by John Donne (1572-1631)
