perfection?

i am begining to think that i dont share a single world view in common with the people i work with *sigh*

i am writing a translation program, and have just found that one of the guiding rules i was using has exceptions. obviously as soon as there are exceptions, achieving perfection is harder, since there are more cases to handle. especially when you dont know what the cases are ahead of time.

however no one else seems to understand that perfection is an atainable goal, or even a goal worth striving for.

their attitude seems to be sumed up by "if its impossible, then dont try to do it" ?????

i have done the impossible before, and no doubt will do it again. why dont they understand???

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paxx

Join Date 03/2001

Perfection is impossible.
You can strive to get as close as possible though.

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They don't understand simply because they don't want to. Too many people just want to cruise through life without putting forth any effort. To put forth effort is simply too much work.

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DavidK

Join Date 03/2001

Sometimes people make a job "impossible" in their minds. Usually, if you just get started on it and work towards finishing it without hesitating or dwelling on the thought that it's "impossible", the job will get done.

I'm sure you can do the impossible feline, and T-Man is right that the people who won't consider doing it don't want to be in a position that is so demanding. Some people think if they accomplish something truly incredible there will be an expectation to perform at that level all the time. And then, some do people perform at that level naturally and it takes a smart supervisor to realize the benefit of having a person like that on the team. The danger is when you have small minds at the top and they fear you making them look bad because your work is so good...

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paxx

Join Date 03/2001

One must also understand that we live in a capitalist era. One must consider productivity costs.
For example: I build a web site. To be perfect, it should be compatible and tested with every version of every browser for every platform (Mac, Windows, Linux, BeOS, etc.). Now, I should ask myself what my target audience is, what percentage uses something else than Netscape 4.7 or Explorer 5 and above on a Windows or Macintosh platform. Now, is it worth the time and money I will have to put forth in order to be perfect? Probably not, that when your site is "perfect enough".

Another approch is to determine what your objective is before you start your project (skin, website, translation software, etc.). Then when your project is completed, examine if your initial criterias have been met. If they have, then consider your project perfect.

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There is no such thing as perfection. Yet I still strive for it. I see it as a sort of asymptotical thing. You can get close, but you can never reach it.

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And paxxy, on your second point: if it fulfills the goals, then it fulfills the goals. Nothing more. It still has flaws, but none of them critical to the stated goals. perfection = flawless.

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After 42 years I reached the conclusion that perfection is subjective. If you are confident in your abilities and you apply those abilities to a task and are happy with the results than you have reached perfection. What others think is not an issue, since they will always have their own perception of perfection.

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