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Ok, let me explain something. What you consistently fail to recognise is that:
1) user-friendliness does not necessarily equal (in fact, is often at odds with) usability
Agreed. That's why this new "task-based" concept, while "user friendly" is not very useable. I understand the difference in user friendly and useability. Mac OS (System 1 through OS 9.2.2) were THE standard for useability. I however, would say that there were some parts of them that were not very friendly. Many times, as you say, being user friendly gets in the way of real functionality. Any time you oversimplify something so to be useless to knowledgable users, that's killed it. UI design walks a fine line.
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2) despite what you seem to believe, computers weren't invented so that people like you can listen to Garth Brooks MP3s and surf the web.
No shit.
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They actually have a serious, practical purpose. That purpose is better served with flexible, usable, configurable software.
It's best served by software that's well-designed enough to begin with that it doesn't have to be tweaked. DESIGN IS KEY. We're not talking about what kinda cutsey graphics you've got, but real design... check out a UI design concept book, and you'll learn about
cognitive science. This is the study of how people think, nothing more or less. To fully understand the way people interact with a computer, not just the UI, but the way they understand all of the concepts that go into using it... you first have to know how people think. The best software
works how you think.
Case in point. Software installation. This is my number one thing, by the way. A well-designed system will make even the most difficult tasks simple.
How does Linux do it? God only knows. It depends on what Linux distro you run, and then it most likely relies on some terminal command or control panel app. If you're lucky, your app has an installer and it doesn't crash and burn.
You might not be so lucky.
How did Mac OS do it? Application has icon, you double click icon, no matter where it is, it runs.
How does Mac OS X do it? Application bundle has icon, you double click it, no matter where it is, it runs.
Now... tell me something. Does being able to run the app NO MATTER WHERE IT EXISTS hinder useability?
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Not consistency
INCORRECT.
Consistency across the entire system is the very HEART of good design, and that's what I'm talking about. Over 80% of the people that use computers... wait for it... are you ready? THEY DON'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT COMPILING KERNELS, OR PROGRAMMING, OR ANY OTHER ADVANCED TASK.
Your rather derisive and elitist statement makes it sound as though all those people are just some kind of low, second-class persons. Hey, I hate to break it to you... THEY DRIVE THIS INDUSTRY. They're your CUSTOMERS. It's your duty and your job to serve them well, with well-designed, well coded apps.
I have no doubts in your coding abilities, I've got no room to say anything, as I can't code to save my ruttin' life. However, I think that your low opinion of good design would hobble your apps.
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not user friendliness, not eye candy, not media players with integrated cd burning and tea making facilities, and not this "STEP Heritage" (whatever the hell that actually means) that you're unable to shut up about.
No, it is all about the STEP. NeXTSTEP, OPENSTEP, Rhapsody, Mac OS X, and soon GenSTEP. As the ultimate evolution of the STEP concept, GenSTEP has all of the advanced OpenStep-layer goodies, plus a very advanced, next-generation UNIX layer, powered by the Linux kernel.
Insomnia's got it running... why don't you ask him? He's trying out Komodo (GenSTEP's Linux core)... see just how good Linux can be once you give up on the outmoded, ole-timey ways of doing things and embrace the future. It's not so alien as you obviously believe. It's different enough to be better, though.
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It's like a kid telling an adult that they think all cars should be replaced with go-carts, because then they'll be able to drive too. Don't get me wrong; it's good that user friendly software exists, because it enables the average user to use computers. But don't make the mistake of being arrogant enough to assume that, just because you find it easy to use, it's a better system.
I do not assume that it's better... I know it is. This is not opinion, but fact. Superior in every way. GenSTEP is better still.
I sincerely hope that you can let go of the withered past and step into the future, or at least the present. Nobody will force you to give up the tools you've always used. You can keep using vi, and whatever other tools you prefer... but don't shut yourself out from the benefits that the NeXT-generation (
) OSes bring.