The platform problem

In this particular situation, it might have helped to a) keep the interface of the re-implemented functionality as close as possible to the not-quite-suitable original and b) put pointers in the form of comments or whatever into the original code warning about the duplicate, so that anyone extending the original with the required functionality would know to get in touch with our editor with a view to merging the two. (In case there is any doubt, this is a musing for the future, and definitely not criticism of Jon - I have the benefit of his hindsight and his nice article.)