Wow! I got a straight answer from a software developer today! Unless you are a technical writer you won’t appreciate how rare this is.
The question (by way of analogy so as not to give away trade secrets) was something like this:
When the chef puts fruit in the refrigerator, does he use the "first in, first out" method (FIFO) or the "last in, first out" method (LIFO)?
Based on almost 14 years experience in the software industry, I would expect to get a non-sensical answer like one of the following:
- The chef puts fruit in the refrigerator.
- If the fruit is an apple it might be FIFO.
- Ask the product manager.
- Although the FIFO is quantifiable SOFO with the GIFO the FIFO is LIFO if the BIFO is TIFO.
- This is defined the same way as before.
- The chef is from France.
Today, however, I got the pleasant surprise of a straight answer (LIFO) along with two unsolicited (but very useful) sub-answers.
My initial thought? Clone that software developer!
3 thoughts on “Straight answer”
I’m soooo jealous. I really am.
Although, it’s usually the sub-answers that kill me.
Also, you forgot:
* Figure it out yourself.
* I can’t believe you don’t know.
* I’m too busy IM’ing my RGP pal at the moment to answer you.
(I expect your entry to generate a lot of comments from other tw’s.)
Michel
The best is being a semi-technically-literate marketing writer, being told the product does one thing by brass, and then having the developers say no, it actually doesn’t do that at all…
time to scrap those product sell sheets, i guess :)
aj
….you know he was just messin’ with ya….it’ll never happen again. It reminds me of the first chapter of the Bukowski novel, Post Office, where Chinaski gets laid while delivering his route, so he signs up for the long term….
mister anchovy
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