🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <goochb.330.0009B46C@rwi.com>, goochb@rwi.com (William D.
Gooch) wrote:

<snip>
> Define "impact."  A single application, for example the Amex system,
> can have a tremendous impact without being very apparent to the
> average person.  In a very real sense, it is one of the most widely 
> used applications in existence.  But if you define "impact" as "sales 
> in a general-use market," then I disagree.

My definition of "impact" includes the value of the software deployed. 
For example, if an entirely new language had been developed in order to
program the space shuttle, that language would have an impact far beyond
the number of users or number of applications developed.  (Pretty sure
they didn't use Smalltalk, though, despite being able to justify whatever
resources were required.)

As for the Amex system being "one of the most widely used applications in
existence," I disagree.  The system is used only by Amex to service their
customers.  The customers do not use the system, directly or indirectly,
they use only the service.  From the customer's perspective, the ideal
system would be one that simply approved every purchase, so the system is
obviously designed for and used by Amex, not Amex's customers.

Doug Bell
dbell@shvn.com