Linux and the Unix Philosophy

3.6 The Third System of man

3.6.1 The Third System is built by people who have been burned by the Second System

After several months or several years, some people begin discovering that the Second System isn't all that it was cracked up to be. They have learned that it runs slowly as it devours system resources. It was designed by experts, some of whom were experts by self-proclamation only. In trying to meet everyone's needs, the Second System has met no one's needs in any complete sense.

Soon the Second System has burned many people. They have learned that the "last system you'll ever need" is merely one of many such systems. Too many user groups have been formed. People on the fringes of the activity sphere now teach the seminars. These individuals are not as sharp as the ones who'd fed the fever earlier, so the quality level goes way down. Oceans of rhetoric fill the user conferences, as peripheral individuals, having seen the experts become famous, hope to emulate their panache. They're too late.

Eventually, the whisper that the Second System is less than perfect turns into the deafening roar of disgruntled users. Everyone becomes convinced that there has to be a better way. At that point, the world is ready for the Third System. The Third System is born out of rebellion against the Second System.

3.6.2 The Third System usually involves a name change from the Second System

By the time the Third System arrives, the First System's originators have disappeared. The most innovative people in the Second System's development have moved on to more interesting projects as well. No one wants to be associated with a future trailing-edge technology.

While the transition from the First to the Second rides on soaring wings of new hope, the transition from the Second to the Third is like a ride on the Titanic: Everyone heads for the lifeboats, as it becomes evident that perforated metal doesn't float.

The X Window System again provides us with a real-world example. X10 was the first implementation that became available as a commercial product from a major vendor. Its characteristics were typical of a First System: acceptable performance, few frills, and an exciting concept. When X11 came along, it had the essential charactersitics of a Second System in every respect and developed a wide following. Eventually a Third System will replace X11. The original name of the X Window System will probably fade from memory, as the system itself will be regarded as outdated.

3.6.3 The original concept is still intact and is regarded as obvious

Recall that the First System displayed a concept that set peoples' imaginations on fire. By the time the Third System appears, the concept will be understood and accepted by all. Everyone who uses the system acknowledges that this is the way it should be done. The idea responsible for the First and the Second Systems' development still exists in the Third System. It was tried in the fire and found true.

Examples abound of original concepts once regarded as innovative that are commonplace today. Consider ink. Once upon a time, people used a feather dipped in ink to write on parchment paper. Eventually, the fountain pen replaced the feather. In recent years (comparatively speaking), the ball-point pen has become the standard writing tool in everyday use. In the future, you're likely to see new writing tools that make today's ballpoint pens seem archaic. Don't be surprised, though, to find that they still use ink. The use of a liquid medium to transfer our thoughts to paper is an original idea that has survived the development of several different containers. As long as we have paper, we will have ink.

3.6.4 The Third System combines the best characteristics of the First and Second Systems

The First System had very high performance, but lacked some necessary features. In the Second System, the pendulum swung back in the direction of more features at the expense of poor performance. In the Third System, the perfect balance is struck. Only the features truly needed remain. As a result, the system requires a modest number of resources and accomplishes much with them.

Another factor in the Third System's high performance is the contributions of experts—not the "pseudoexperts" spoken of earlier, but sincere, motivated individuals who possess real talent and make effective contributions to the system's evolution. Their efforts enhance the system in specific, meaningful ways. Their work, like the original enlightening ideas, stands the test of time.

Efforts to place the software in ROM have likely been unsuccessful in the first two systems because of the changing nature of software. One should never put "opinion" in ROM. By the time the Third System comes along, however, designers have a solid understanding of what works and what doesn't. Things have jelled to the point where putting the software into hardware then becomes a real possibility.

3.6.5 Finally, the Third System's designers are usually given the time to do it right

The size of the task is well understood and the risks are small because designers are working with a proven technology. Decision makers can create accurate budgets and schedules for the systems implementation.