To solve an interesting problem, start by finding a problem that is interesting to you. Eric S. Raymond More Quotes by Eric S. Raymond More Quotes From Eric S. Raymond Complexity control is the central problem of writing software in the real world Eric S. Raymond realwritingworld Equally, the Internet interprets attempts at proprietary control as threats and mobilizes to defeat them. Eric S. Raymond free-speechdefeatinternet In the beginning, there were Real Programmers. Eric S. Raymond in-the-beginningwerebeginningreal As a Facebook user, do I have control of the data Facebook keeps about me? Concretely: can I examine and modify that data using tools of my choosing which are built for my needs? Eric S. Raymond controlmedatatools Does Facebook act as though I own my online life, or as though it does? Concretely: Can I control what data it shares with other users, with advertisers, and with business partners? Eric S. Raymond controlownbusinesslife Does Facebook behave like a tool in my hand, or a firehose designed to spew at me in accordance with other peoples' agendas? Concretely: can I write my own client to present a filtered view of the Facebook stream, or have other people do that for me? Eric S. Raymond viewmemy-ownpeople Money is just a way to keep score. The best people in any field are motivated by passion. That becomes more true the higher the skill level gets. Eric S. Raymond bestpassionmoneypeople When are programmers happy? They're happy when they're not underutilized - when they're not bored - and also when they're not overburdened with inappropriate specifications or meaningless bureaucracies. In other words, programmers are happiest when they're working efficiently. This is a general preference in creative work. Eric S. Raymond wordscreativeworkhappy People are happiest when they're the most productive. People enjoy tasks, especially creative tasks, when the tasks are in the optimal-challenge zone: not too hard and not too easy. To some extent, that has always been true. But it becomes even more true as work becomes more about brains and creativity. Eric S. Raymond creativityenjoyworkpeople People who study primate societies make a distinction between two kinds of cultural interactions, agonic and hedonic. In agonic societies, you gain status by asserting dominance over others. In hedonic societies, you gain status by drawing attention to yourself. Open source is a hedonic culture. Eric S. Raymond yourselfyouculturepeople
