Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

iOS is anti-Unix and anti-programmer

blog.dbpatterson.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 144 posts

Re: iOS is anti-Unix and anti-programmer

#11

Post by pointyhat »

tomjen3 wrote: post #6
pointyhat wrote: post #4

Composability is what makes something greater than the sum of its parts. The iPad, I found, is so constrained as to be useless. I know of very few people who are still using their iPad regularly after 6 months or so precisely because of this (and the star trek wow factor has worn off). Ironically, composability is why I still carry around a 15-year old TI92 calculator instead of an iPad, even though my peers look at…

How many of those people you know with iPads are what we would call normal people? I only ask because it seems to me that most of them wouldn't mind at all that one couldn't be productive on the iPad since surfing and a few games are mostly what they use it for.

80% I'd say.

It seems to go like this:

1) They bought it with a purpose in mind but it didn't work quite as well as they were hoping (khan academy, mapping, general use, recipes in kitchen, streaming video).

2) The games last a while but they are mainly novelty rather than immersive or lasting so it's back to the XBox.

3) then the web browsing gets frustrating as streaming video is choppy over WiFi and impossible over 3G and "what do you mean flash or java doesn't work" - I can't play facebook pool.

4) then the keyboard becomes frustrating when they try and do real work because it's not tactile.

5) then they switch back to their laptop when they have to do something like mail merge.

6) then the ipad goes in a drawer, followed by ebay about 2 months after they find it again.

I've seen this so many times across about 12 ipad owners now. 20% "software dev". 40% "tech enthusiasts". 40% "joe average".

Bear in mind this is just my observation.

Re: iOS is anti-Unix and anti-programmer

#12

Post by tudorizer »

OS X command line user here, after testing various other 'nix distros in the past few years. You're a bit harsh on the topic. Sure, composability is awesome for the reasons you mentioned, but look at who's using iOS devices. Do they need more? There are days when after being bombarded with information, an app that does one thing is a breath of fresh air.

"But it’s not a computer, it’s just a glorified palm pilot with a few bells and whistles". You can SSH into it if you want to be hardcore ;)

When I'm using an app to track expensese while at the supermarket or taking notes while on the train, I really don't care about "composability". Why should I?

Re: iOS is anti-Unix and anti-programmer

#13

Post by gillygize »

Actually, interoperability between apps is possible through things like URL handling and UIPasteboard. I am dreaming of the day that something like the UNIX toolchain can be assembled by sending data from one app to another like this. Enough app developers just need to get together and decide to make it. I suppose that you could not script it though, so it would still be more limited. But you could send data step by step through a series of apps in a chain, which could allow for creative interoperability.

Re: iOS is anti-Unix and anti-programmer

#14

Post by iradik »

iOS has no concept of files (for the user). There's no common bit you can share between two programs. Of course, there are ways around this (Dropbox API for example). I'd say removing this concept has probably made iOS a lot easier to use.

The big danger with iOS is that it's also attack the open web itself. What if the catalog the author downloaded was only available in an iOS and android app and not on the web. That's when we really start to have problems.

Re: iOS is anti-Unix and anti-programmer

#15

Post by guelo »

pointyhat wrote: post #11
tomjen3 wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How many of those people you know with iPads are what we would call normal people? I only ask because it seems to me that most of them wouldn't mind at all that one couldn't be productive on the iPad since surfing and a few games are mostly what they use it for.

80% I'd say. It seems to go like this: 1) They bought it with a purpose in mind but it didn't work quite as well as they were hoping (khan academy, mapping, general use, recipes in kitchen, streaming video). 2) The games last a while but they are mainly novelty rather than immersive or lasting so it's back to the XBox. 3) then the web browsing gets frustrating as streaming video is choppy over WiFi and impossible ove…

This is close to my experience. I still use it but less and less, the laptop is so much more flexible and powerful and really just as convenient around the house, even more so at times since it stands up by itself. The big win for the tablet form factor is as a book reader and for traveling because of the great battery life.

But considering how many of these things they continue to sell I don't know if these anecdotes really add up to data. It really is permanently replacing a computer for a lot of people.

Re: iOS is anti-Unix and anti-programmer

#17

Post by tudorizer »

martinpannier wrote: post #10
mas644 wrote: post #8

It's not anti-Unix or anti-programmer...it's all about being anti-freedom. All these companies want to do is turn your computing experience into a locked down, controlled, monitored experience. They want to turn your limitless and powerful computer into a home appliance...like a blender or electric razer. No way to customize, no way to modify, no way to organize thoughts your way. No hacking or "jailbreaking" into yo…

Most comments in this thread strike me as being anti-"normal users". This is the elite, talking about how they can maintain their elite position.

Well observed :)

Re: iOS is anti-Unix and anti-programmer

#19

Post by kalleboo »

kolinko wrote: post #5

I disagree.. The app interoperability in iOS is achieved, but in a different fashion. You don't have files, but you DO have logins and APIs. Say, Twitter - you want to tweet something from another app? No problem, you implement the right API to do that. Or perhaps you'd like to export a text file, so it can be received by another app? No problem - you use the clipboard & store the file there, or publish the file at a…

Android's Intents architecture is far more elegant than forcing every app developer to reimplement every API or specifically support every secret URL handler.

Being able to make a client for, say, a new social network, and instantly having every app on your phone support it through the generic "Share" button they already have is a very powerful tool.

Post reply on HN