PVMM Design Principles

This describes a computerized approach to complicated subjects which we euphemistically call the "Plain Vanilla Magical Machine" and that we abbreviate as "PVMM". To describe the PVMM, we introduce here certain terminology which might be useful.

We use the term "Entirety" to describe a complicated subject. It might be a city, a regional inventory of major natural and man-made assets, a library, or a theology. The term "Entirety" clearly connotes completeness without requiring a time dimension or an end point. It can apply to an abstraction, or to art, or to an idea or a theology as well as to hard construction. Clearly the term "Entirety" implies that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

It has been suggested (by Steve) that any complicated idea should be reduceable to its essence; let's call that essence it's "constituting idea". To further expound on this idea we are calling the PVMM, let say that "unboundedness" is it's constituting idea. It is platform independant (for engineering and/or device, it is implemented for new platforms with "drivers"). It has a wide variety of content (unbounded by types of "buckets"). It is intuitive, less dependant on point and click (unbounded by capacity of persons to interface). It is webcentric; it's structure is spiderlike. It will have capacity for evolving itself into superior forms of itself.

To be able understand or manage an "Entirety" it might be useful to articulate smaller subjects to which we might give names such as belief, vision, topic or program. For the moment, let's let these terms be interchangeable as abstractions, and let's let two terms have greater importance.

If we want to manage something, or study something, we've got to draw a circle around it that lets us know when we are on topic or wandering. Let's call that description a "project". A "Project" is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. Inasmuch as we are committing effort, time and money, "projects" are investments. If we can measure these investments, we'd like them to produce a benefit stream within some pre-defined limits of time and cost.

A "Program" is a group of related projects managed in a coordinated way such that the benefits of coordinated management yield results superior to those achieved by managing projects independently of one another. Programs usually include an element of ongoing work associated with operation, maintenance and enhancement of installed systems, procedures or business processes.

Much of this logic is called "project management". The authoritative document on this subject is "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge", typically abbreviated as the "PMBOK". This book, now in its third edition, is published by the Project Management Institute.

critical functions:

1. qkProject : process one folder at any level (from qkw_Master CreateImgLib qkwContent)
2. qkProjects : process multiple folders at any level (always all below, inc. enroll new)
3. qkEntirety : process a hierarchy of folders at root level (all below, inc enroll new) (CreateImgLibs)
4. qkProcedure(s) : can institute any "Procedure" called for by "qksource" contents in any "Entirety"
5. qkView : to view any data from any perspective based on globals & fewest possible queries
6. qkSelectProject : select from any or all projects on any or all drives
7. qkStartProcedure : start a Procedure that may involve multiple projects
8. qkInLoopProcedure : execute at start of each project inside loop of multiple projects
9. qkCloseProcedure : close a project being processed in a procedure, possibly in a loop of projects
10. qkGrid : spreadsheet facility for use in apl via TExcel5
11. tMSQ : define or write out the tMs var with processing info &/or user activity (MRU)

meaning of "Entirety"

1. clearly connotes completeness without requiring a time dimension or end point
2. can apply to an abstraction, or to art, or to an idea or a theology as well as to hard construction
3. can imply that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts

1. "unboundedness" is my constituting idea
2. platform independant (for engineering and device, implement for new platforms with "drivers")
3. wide variety of content (unbounded by types of "buckets")
4. intuitive, less dependant on point and click (unbounded by capacity of persons to interface)
5. webcentric, structure is spiderlike
6. will have capacity for evolving itself into superior forms of itself

also see: pvmm_bigview (Fred Waid thinking)

Steve Gershenson:

1. project
2. program - group of projects
3. portfolio - collection of stratetically significant projects or programs

communion, synthesis, system

a constituting idea (rooted in Aristotles politics) the essence, the irreducible minimum construct

1. oligarchy - rule by the rich
2. aristroccy - rule by the best
3. democracy - rule by the mob

Gestalt: a configuration or pattern of elements so unified as a whole that it cannot be described merely as a sum of its parts

Mel offers AGGLOMERATION from long ago studies with Walter Isard: these are overlapping clusters of linked/related activities, like stores grouped in business districts, for example, and factories and parts suppliers in industrial districts, and schools and surrounding student residences and bus systems, etc., all together forming urban areas.....