The GUI should be better. A lot better.
Why Hacker News recommends it
Recommended as a thought-provoking critique that makes people notice how poor everyday GUIs are.
What it is
Accursed Farms' hour-plus critique of the modern desktop GUI. It argues that current interfaces are a regression from older designs such as Windows 7 and proposes principles for better ones.
Recommended by 4 HN commenters across 3 different months, 2020 to 2024.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec firen777 · 2023-07 · on “Chicago95 – Windows 95 Theme for Linux”
There's a study that shows flat UI designs cause uncertainty and can lower productivity: [LINK] My subjective experience agree with the study too. But since the entire industry (be it cooperate or non-profit org) collectively lost their mind and decided flat is the one true way and purged the entire internet of anything vaguely 3D, I can't really compare the experience again in a more objective manner. I'd always go back to [Ross Scott's video of how a "non-expert" view modern GUI]( [this video] ) whenever I want some reminder on what good GUI should do. I don't agree with everything he say since a lot of it is subjective, but this video cursed me to pay far more attention on how shitty modern GU
Recommends dredmorbius · 2020-06 · on “The GUI should be a lot better [video]”
One of the strengths is the list of recommended features for a GUI. That really should be called outin the video description or several linked discussions, but doesn't seem to be. I think the version shown at 59m9s is complete: [this video] Editing lightly: 1. The GUI should be asthetically acceptable with heavy and long use. 2. There is no perfect GUI for everyone. 3. There are many features that are ideal for the majority of users. 4. The GUI should get out of the way when you don't need it. 5. The GUI should be as efficient as possible if you know what you're doing. 6. The GUI should activate when you want it and not when you don't. 7. It shouldn't be easy to do things you don't want by accide
Recommends partusman · 2020-06 · on “MuseScore 4: Moving from notation software to composition software”
Although it may not really fit what you're looking for, there was a one-hour video linked here a few days ago that critiziced the entire modern desktop GUI landscape. Video: [this video] Discussion: [LINK]
Recommends lurtbancaster · 2023-04 · on “The Mullvad Browser”
I was about to type a long comment in response to yours, but then I realized I could just link you a video[1] that goes into detail explaining all the ways in which Windows 7's UI is customizable, in ways that Win 8 onwards are simply, not. The video is 1 hours 17 minutes long, so feel free to speed it up a little. Hope that helps. Cheers! [1] - [this video]
Cites RealCodingOtaku · 2024-01 · on “Kando: The Cross-Platform Pie Menu”
Reminds me of “The GUI should be better. A lot better” by Ross Scott[0]. Edit: looks like this project is already submitted to Ross Scott's forum post[1]. [0] [this video] [1] [LINK]