The stages of a new technology

I noticed a blog about the phases of Unit Testing and thought that it was a good indication of the stages we tend to go through whenever we take on a new technology, pattern, technique or "thing" in general.

I tend to start with exploration: download, install, poke at it. This leads on to the learning stage: read blogs, read articles, possibly read a book. It's during these first two stages that I'll form my opinion on the worth of the thing and decide whether to proceed or not. It's also during this period that you'll find the most active discussion.

Once adopted, the learning stage tends to continue, increasing knowledge and understanding whilst becoming more familiar with the thing and accepting it's drawbacks or failings. Whilst not an authority on the subject, I can hold my own and use most of the features of the thing.

I seldom achieve "authority" status on a thing. Mostly because the next best thing has come along and my energy is focused on stage 1 of that new thing.