In Defense of Using Fewer Tools

dsebastien.net

3 pointsdSebastien2 comments

By choosing the tools you are familiar with means you will usually use sub optimal tools, compared to what else is out there.

There is always a newer and better function, library, language, but until it's a deal breaker, keep life simple.

When it comes to programming, I can hear the sirens call as programming moves to be natural language via a generative AI that implements whatever you want in whatever languages you want.

Could we then argue that the AI is the single tool?

Good point. I didn't mention familiarity and proficiency with the tools, but it's indeed another angle to think about it. More familiar often implies more productivity, even though you might miss out on the "latest and greatest".

Considering programming, it's mostly the same, indeed. There are endless debates about what's the best library, framework or language out there, while in reality, working with what you know often yields better/more tangible results for end users. I like the fact that some successful indie hackers out there stick to old-school HTML+CSS+PHP and still get to make tons of cash.

Tools are not the main thing.

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