Ken et al,
I remain unconvinced that these 'tame design problems' that Ken suggests are
design problems - i.e. I'm unconvinced one designs their solutions.
I can see it being design if the solver has no idea how to proceed, and I can
see that there might be tiny amounts of designing happening in the middle of
solving these (kinds of) problems. For example, if the style manual instructs
its user to "choose an appropriate font".
But the overall problem of, say, a simple page layout, or diagnosing a
headache, or configuring a gear box - these I really don't think require
'designing'.
Cheers.
Fil
Ken Friedman <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I tend to disagree with Chris on the idea that wicked vs. tame problems distinguish design from engineering. There are many examples of tame design problems. A typographer who prepares a simple page layout to the standards of a design manual practices design rather than engineering. Physicians practice medicine when they solve effectively tame problems -- aspirin for a minor ailment, cough syrup for a cold.
--
Prof. Filippo A. Salustri, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Ryerson University Tel: 416/979-5000 x7749
350 Victoria St. Fax: 416/979-5265
Toronto, ON email: [log in to unmask]
M5B 2K3 Canada http://deseng.ryerson.ca/~fil/
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