> >Evolution theory is based on getting better from NON intelligence. > >Intelligence is NOT in the equation. > Oh no. So you're a creationist then?
This isn't necessarily implied. It looks to me like he's just distinguishing between biological evolution (as in the Origin of Species etc.) and the process that's producing Linux et al. The key difference is that the biological model assumes almost purely random input, whereas the variations in "software evolution" are the product of intention; they're targeted. Where the important similarity in the patterns of variation lies is that the software process involves many changes by people with greatly varying intentions - and, let's face it, degrees of skill. It's been a while since I've done any statistical work in anger, but I'm pretty sure that the variation to be found in "software evolution," if looked at without regard to its origins, would look very much like noise. That is, close to random, at least over short time-scales. The defining common factor for me, though, is that the key mechanism for both systems is that improvements _tend_ to be retained, and unhelpful aspects _tend_ to be removed. > >>were the fittest and most diverse survive. <pedantic> Typo aside, the latter assertion is an exaggeration. Too much diversity in software results in incompatibility; too much in a living species results in the inability to breed. The result in both cases is that the population is divided into more than one incompatible sub-groups. Either that or they die out. </pedantic> > >>Were windows has a forced > >>evolutionary development based on what sells software. Much as I hate to admit it, it's worked pretty well in respect of that goal. It could be argued that its evolution has been quite successful to date. Whether it can handle what looks like a coming ice-age is probably a subject for slug-chat. Cheers, James -- ...so there I am at ten thousand feet with a power drill in one hand, a takeaway menu in the other, no parachute and a _very_ suprised expression...
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