You're assuming that programmers are one dimensional. There are quite a few of us who didn't come to programming directly, but through other directions. I personally got into Perl after the only programmer in our web development group (well, we named our group 'Custom Research And Programming', but management didn't like the acronym) left, and I had to maintain and develop his code.

I got into the group because I had graphics experience. I've been writing HTML for a decade now. I'm guessing that other programmers could write nice looking templates, as well.

I'd personally rather have something that's easy to develop to and maintain. I couldn't care less about the shiny packaging -- I'd rather have something simple and elegent, which I know I can easily write myself.

I will agree that there are those people that aren't so good at the design aspects, just as there are good designers that can't code. But there are folks who can do more than just one thing. I may not be the best programmer, or the best designer, but I can get by in both aspects.

I will agree that the reason to use templating systems is to save time -- and that some people will derive more savings than others in not having to develop their own look and feel. But likewise, there are those people who would gain more from having a well written template engine, especially if it's easy to learn the syntax so they can adapt their existing design.

Similar story : years ago, before MMORPGs, a group of my friends decided that there were two main types of people who write for MUDs -- the ones who like doing programming, and the ones who like being creative. We starting building templating systems and a library of reusable objects/monsters/etc, but well, we never got it finished the point to turn it over to the creative folks. (mostly my fault, for deciding to re-write the combat system). We went with a similar premise to yours, but we had two general categories of users, not just one. (and we accepted the possibility that people might fit into both, and would be able to add stuff outside of the virtualization engine.

In reply to Re: Good code or good templates (Maypole) by jhourcle
in thread Good code or good templates (Maypole) by zby

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