Demoing a tool and using it are fundamentally different stances.
- Demoing a tool and using it are fundamentally different stances.
- Demoing is about meeting the tool where it is.
- Using the tool as an end.
- If the demo works it's upside.
- "What would show off this tool and make it seem valuable, while avoiding bugs or missing features that would demonstrate its limitations?"
- But real use is about using it as a tool to accomplish things you care about.
- The tool is entirely a means.
- If the tool doesn't do what you want it's a bad means.
- You discard means that don't work.
- A threshold is cleared when a team building a tool starts using it for real use, not just to demo it for themselves.
- It's similar to the difference between book knowledge and experiential knowledge.