The Apple Goes Mushy Part I: OS X's Interface Decline

Post by anonbanker » Tue, Jul 26, 2016, 2:28 PM UTC

56k wrote: post #28

This article doesn't make any sense. The use of metaphors worked when people didn't know what a computer was, and the only way to make its UI make sense was to mimic real-world objects. Now, this is no longer necessary. It's been 40 years. While I agree that new macOS icons aren't great (see the Game Center icon), the old ones were silly. I'm 35 and I have probably seen an actual contact book only once when I was lit…

Post by Spooky23 » Tue, Jul 26, 2016, 2:31 PM UTC

coldtea wrote: post #68

EliRivers wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"The use of metaphors worked when people didn't know what a computer was, and the only way to make its UI make sense was to mimic real-world objects. Now, this is no longer necessary. It's been 40 years." I disagree strongly. It is now more needed than ever. 40 years ago, the majority of people using computers knew what they were doing. Now, they're everywhere, and people interact with them every day. It's very commo…

> 40 years ago, the majority of people using computers knew what they were doing. You think that 10 and 20 year olds growing up with computers and even smartphones available for all of their life, know less of computers than people in the past? Even a 7 year old that plays games can almost run circles around a 1980s propellerhead computer programmer in using a GUI. Compared to regular people (e.g. office workers) fro…

Post by danellis » Tue, Jul 26, 2016, 2:34 PM UTC

flohofwoe wrote: post #167

The article misses the mark IMHO by focusing on skeuomorphic(sp?) icons. Yes, usability has degraded during the recent 'flat design' craze, but not so much because skeuomorphism was tossed out, but because the many little visual design changes that kill discoverability. The mobile operating systems started this trend where a lot of advanced functionality was hidden behind 'magic' touch and swipe gestures that go way…

Post by ludwik » Tue, Jul 26, 2016, 2:35 PM UTC

pmarreck wrote: post #105

realusername wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh that make sense then ! I never understood why most of the notes apps on my smartphone were yellow and not white, I found it bizarre and assumed it was some kind of fashion, it must be international differences then.

for anyone else non-US but curious: Photos of typical yellow pads: https://www.google.com/search?q=yellow+legal+pad&tbm=isch History of the yellow legal pad: http://www.legalaffairs.org/issues/May-June-2005/scene_snide...

Post by wahsd » Tue, Jul 26, 2016, 2:37 PM UTC