RE: design goals vs mechanisms

[Jonathan S. Shapiro]

On Thu, 2005-10-27 at 12:32 -0600, Christopher Nelson wrote:

> That's like saying "Let's go to the moon!"  Sure, that's the end goal,
> but *how* do you get there?  Rocket? Space Shuttle? Energy Transport?

You forgot ballista and sky hook. :-)

>       * we have a rocket that can get us to the moon right now, but it
> blows up 2 out of 4 launches. Is that acceptable?

Apparently yes, but only if your name is NASA. :-(

>       * should we use hydrox? Maybe some other fuel is better.  But
> that means we might have to redesign the fuel delivery system as well...

A spaceship powered by Oreo cookies?!? Very Cool! This would help draw
an entire new generation of young children into the Free Software
movement. [In the U.S., Hydrox is a competitor to Oreo.]