But yak shaving is fun
7 hours ago
- #software engineering
- #learning
- #yak shaving
- The author created his own static site generator after finding existing ones too restrictive.
- Yak shaving refers to a chain of tasks that deviates from the original goal, often ending in unrelated work.
- Examples illustrate yak shaving: sharpening an axe leads to shaving a yak, and washing a car leads to restuffing a pillow.
- The term originated from a Ren & Stimpy episode and was popularized by Carlin Vieri.
- Building from scratch can lead to yak shaving, risking project delays and resource waste.
- Yak shaving is fun due to the joy of creation, problem-solving, and learning.
- Donald Knuth's development of TeX is a successful example of yak shaving, leading to a comprehensive typesetting system.
- Most yak shaving efforts fail, as it's hard to stop once started, but it can be valuable for learning.
- Yak shaving can be effective in education, encouraging deep exploration of related topics.
- The author emphasizes the enjoyment and potential benefits of yak shaving despite its risks.