The rise of user-hostile software

#1

Post by dend » Tue, Aug 24, 2021, 4:51 PM UTC

The rise of user-hostile software
den.dev

Re: The rise of user-hostile software

#2

Post by nicbou » Wed, Aug 25, 2021, 7:04 AM UTC

With all the praise Brother laser printers get for being just a damn printer, I wonder what the end game is for some of those businesses.

I can understand that monetisation and user well-being can be at odds sometimes (e.g. with free apps and services), but surely a generic hardware manufacturer wants to ensure a generic experience?

This is why I tend to buy things that use generic, open standards. I don't trust something that needs an app to work to last long.

Re: The rise of user-hostile software

#3

Post by southerntofu » Wed, Aug 25, 2021, 12:32 PM UTC

nicbou wrote: post #2

With all the praise Brother laser printers get for being just a damn printer, I wonder what the end game is for some of those businesses. I can understand that monetisation and user well-being can be at odds sometimes (e.g. with free apps and services), but surely a generic hardware manufacturer wants to ensure a generic experience? This is why I tend to buy things that use generic, open standards. I don't trust some…

> I can understand that monetisation and user well-being can be at odds sometimes (e.g. with free apps and services)

This is also the case in paid services, who are not known to be more user/privacy-friendly.

> This is why I tend to buy things that use generic, open standards. I don't trust something that needs an app to work to last long.

Same here. Unfortunately, it's becoming increasingly harder! Fortunately the second-hand market is inundated with hardware that has proved its reliability thus far... I feel definitely more at risk when i have to buy new hardware.

Re: The rise of user-hostile software

#4

Post by southerntofu » Wed, Aug 25, 2021, 12:32 PM UTC

Would be nice to have more communities dedicated to bloat-free, user-respecting UX... that are not complete pro-hitler neonazis like the suckless clique. I'm all ears for links and suggestions!

Re: The rise of user-hostile software

#5

Post by dekken_ » Thu, Aug 26, 2021, 9:14 AM UTC

southerntofu wrote: post #4

Would be nice to have more communities dedicated to bloat-free, user-respecting UX... that are not complete pro-hitler neonazis like the suckless clique. I'm all ears for links and suggestions!

> pro-hitler neonazis

hyperbole?

Re: The rise of user-hostile software

#6

Post by raspyberr » Thu, Aug 26, 2021, 9:19 AM UTC

southerntofu wrote: post #4

Would be nice to have more communities dedicated to bloat-free, user-respecting UX... that are not complete pro-hitler neonazis like the suckless clique. I'm all ears for links and suggestions!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Suckless.org

https://lobste.rs/s/kpuj8p/why_i_use_suckless_tools#c_4g2lqi

Re: The rise of user-hostile software

#7

Post by tsjq » Thu, Aug 26, 2021, 9:32 AM UTC

southerntofu wrote: post #4

Would be nice to have more communities dedicated to bloat-free, user-respecting UX... that are not complete pro-hitler neonazis like the suckless clique. I'm all ears for links and suggestions!

please check https://1mb.club/

https://10kbclub.com/

R HN T : https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25556860

Re: The rise of user-hostile software

#8

Post by mikro2nd » Thu, Aug 26, 2021, 9:51 AM UTC

I do think the flowchart needs one more diamond (if-statement): Between "Would any user benefit from this?" and "Build it" there's another state. "Would other users be harmed/disadvantaged by this?" (and draw the obvious lines out of that...)

Re: The rise of user-hostile software

#9

Post by forgingahead » Thu, Aug 26, 2021, 9:53 AM UTC

southerntofu wrote: post #4

Would be nice to have more communities dedicated to bloat-free, user-respecting UX... that are not complete pro-hitler neonazis like the suckless clique. I'm all ears for links and suggestions!

What do you mean? I didn't know anything about them until this thread, and then there is this comment[0] where one of the devs clearly states:

1. They don't politicise in their group

2. The commenter literally says: "Torch hikes are nothing unusual in Germany and there was no political intent behind it."

What's the issue then? Serious question and relevant to the thread because I too would love to see more communities dedicated to user-friendly bloat-free software. Why shouldn't we participate with them?

[0]: https://lobste.rs/s/kpuj8p/why_i_use_suckless_tools#c_omk1bi

Re: The rise of user-hostile software

#10

Post by southerntofu » Thu, Aug 26, 2021, 9:55 AM UTC

raspyberr wrote: post #6

southerntofu wrote: post #4

Would be nice to have more communities dedicated to bloat-free, user-respecting UX... that are not complete pro-hitler neonazis like the suckless clique. I'm all ears for links and suggestions!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Suckless.org https://lobste.rs/s/kpuj8p/why_i_use_suckless_tools#c_4g2lqi

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