Let's quit with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it line"

edge777 · 09-24-07, 01:11 PM

Can I rant for a bit about tweaks and upgrades?

I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THE "IF IT AINT'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT" LINE!!!!

Everytime someone wants to upgrade to WM5 or 6, someone quotes that line. Or maybe someone wants to try out a new tweak. Or maybe it's about a software or ROM upgrade.

If we all lived by this saying, we'd be back in the stone ages! Horses worked fine for transportation, paper and pen worked fine for keeping track of information, mail worked fine to send messages - BUT, there are some people in this world who enjoy advancement, trying new things, tweaking stuff and taking risks. Sometime it works, sometimes it doesn't. But, could we quit discouraging people from trying new stuff and moving into the future!!!!

unitedxempire · 09-24-07, 02:18 PM

Yea whats up with that?

kcallahan · 09-24-07, 02:19 PM

On one hand - I agree with you. Some ppl like the latest and greatest. On the other hand - I agree with the "if it aint broke" quote. Everytime a new OS comes out, the software you currently have doesn't work or doesn'r work right. For me, I didn't see any "major" improvements in WM5 or 6. So, for me, why change.

I'll use the example of my 2000 Accord. It runs great, gets me to work just fine, and it's paid for. So, why should I buy a new car. However, other ppl want a new car every two or three years.

I think what some people really want to hear on the forums is "should I upgrade and what benefit will I get.

It's all in the opinions. You're right, we don't progress without change. However, change for the sake of change is not good either. In this industry, it's usually about making money. Batteries are a good example. Improvements are slow even tho everyone wants to see major improvements. Why? If I make a battery that will last a week between charges, with constant use and last 20 years, I'll be out of business in less than 5.

willis · 09-24-07, 03:02 PM

It's not so much a "don't fix it if it ain't broke" attitude as it is a "I just want it to work without tweaks" attitude. I don't want to have to download and install half a dozen updates, patches and bug fixes a year while deconflicting each process with other installed software and the OS. The purpose of a PDA or smartphone is to be a tool to do other things more effectively and efficiently--it shouldn't have to be a hobby in and of itself. I want the smart device to make my life easer, not add complexity. Maybe I like tweaking my Axim, but the frustrating thing is I've been FORCED to do that to keep the device minimally useful. If my handwriting were better, I'd just go back to pen and paper.

Jogga · 09-24-07, 04:29 PM

By advocating the restriction of the if it ain't broke, don't fix it argument; you risk altering the balance of advice offered here and at other places. The argument is a legitimate one, even if it does preclude risk taking.

Rsaturn9 · 09-24-07, 04:54 PM

I would venture to say that the over 200,000 + members that post on Axim\Mobility site regularly, are members that love new Technology.
The issue about the Saying "If it Ain"t Broke, Don't fix it" Being used here is probably more of a Teaching Lesson to other members about certain OS Upgrades or new Software upgrades, that do not work out correctly as Advertised.
It's not really meant as a discouragement of Tweaking or improving what we have, considering I would say everyone here probably loves to Improve what we have as almost a Hobby, with the satisfaction of getting something like an unpolished piece of software to run correctly when out of the box it does not. The Statement probably is used when no matter what Tweaks are tried, there is no improvement, or the new OS or program is just worse then what we already are currently using.

Julie · 09-24-07, 04:57 PM

I think it's pretty good advice for novices who have no understanding about what they are getting into. Although perhaps the advice should be rewritten a little.... how 'bout:

If it ain't broke, don't break it!!!

Tinkerers and hackers aren't usually going to change their plans no matter what others say.....

AKAJohnDoe · 09-24-07, 05:38 PM

The corollary to that is If it is really broken, you cannot fix it.

I'm still partial to the Frank Zappa quotation under my sig, though.

spunker88 · 09-24-07, 07:19 PM

Your kind of right, but mostly wrong.

I use this saying only when an inexperienced user wants to know if they should upgrade rom versions, staying within the same os. I say "If it aint broke, dont fix it." Meaning that if your device is working fine, mine is on a01, then why upgrade. If you are having the problems that the rom update fixes, then go ahead and upgrade. This saying is used mostly for inexperienced/newbies.

There is also what i call "preventative maintenance". For example you buy a new computer without any virus software installed. You arent going to say its working fine now, why install anti-virus. This is totally different from the saying, its stupid instead. The saying only applies to people who take something that is working fine, and would continue to work fine without any hacking, etc and decide to try to fix it and end up screwing something up. Im satisfied with xp for now, as are many others. But if we ignore that saying, then everybody should upgrade to vista.

If your an advanced user, and enjoy tinkering around with devices, i know i do at times, thats totally different. You arent trying to get the device to work, your just experimenting with it to see what it can do.

Lastly, old technologies were "broke", if they are more modern faster ways of doing things. You have taken this saying way out of its original meaning. This saying doesnt prevent advancement, instead it prevents failure from UN-neccesary "advancements" such as upgrading from a good os to a buggy one.

Note: Dont expect me to remove the quote from my signature, it works great to answer questions, almost as good as the freeware site links do.

edge777 · 09-24-07, 08:48 PM

Lol, I wasn't saying we should ban the quote, I guess I'm just tired of oversimplistic advice. I think if someone asks about an upgrade, we should give them real advice. Personally, I loved tweaking my X50v to WM5. I think it's great to educate people, give the option, tell the risks, but then let them decide. I'm sure glad no one gave me the advice to not upgrade to WM5.

P.S. Oh ya, Spunker, I have the option to not view signatures (don't find all the graphics and quotes all that helpful) - so it wasn't a personal jab. Mostly wrong? Well, opinions are neither right nor wrong, they just are.

09-24-07, 08:51 PM

If you're discouraged by this quote, it's probably good advice to listen to it.

edge777 · 09-24-07, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by paulcb

If you're discouraged by this quote, it's probably good advice to listen to it.

??? That makes no sense at all ???

09-24-07, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by edge777

??? That makes no sense at all ???

Sure it does Edge, think about it for a bit.

edge777 · 09-24-07, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by paulcb

Sure it does Edge, think about it for a bit.

If you say so... our minds must just work differently... which is maybe why I like to educate and inform people rather than give them cute quotes.

CodeBubba · 09-25-07, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by edge777

Can I rant for a bit about tweaks and upgrades?

I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THE "IF IT AINT'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT" LINE!!!!

Yes, and a lot of people are sick and tired of the UPGRADE NOW BECAUSE IT'S COOL line.

Originally Posted by edge777

Everytime someone wants to upgrade to WM5 or 6, someone quotes that line. Or maybe someone wants to try out a new tweak. Or maybe it's about a software or ROM upgrade.

Yeah, if they're wanting to do something like upgrade to a software rev that doesn't work with the machine they have, of course we'll quote that line. IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT is very good advise. Unfortunately too many people continue to fix what's not broken then they're back around here whining about why it didn't work! ;-)

Originally Posted by edge777

If we all lived by this saying, we'd be back in the stone ages! Horses worked fine for transportation, paper and pen worked fine for keeping track of information, mail worked fine to send messages - BUT, there are some people in this world who enjoy advancement, trying new things, tweaking stuff and taking risks. Sometime it works, sometimes it doesn't. But, could we quit discouraging people from trying new stuff and moving into the future!!!!

Can we PLEASE stop saying "Stone Age"? ;-)

You need to learn to relax, pal!

-CB :D