The fake leather is new in Lion; have a significant number of new users been afraid of iCal in releases past due to it looking "purely digital" but, now that Lion pretends that either a cow or a nauga died to make the calendar app, new users have no problem with it?
I fear we're getting too specific from the main topic. The question asks "Is the Rise of Skeuomorphic User Interfaces a Problem?", not "Where did Apple go wrong?". To answer OP's question, I feel it's a tool used both to integrate new users and ease long time users into new paradigms, so I think not.
So do some users who see imitation materials on their screen. Others think they look appalling rather than appealing.
This is true, but remember, those that don't want those styles generally know how to change settings to make them go away. I'm making a blatant assumption here, but those who do not know how to change the settings will generally like the imitation styles as compared to the purely-digital look. This was proven by many new users in many GUI's past. Looking too "technical" scares new users away.
While the contrast issue doesn't have much to do with this topic, the page swipe most certainly does. I can only account this to Apple's attempt to either maintain interfaces across devices (more of which are touch these days), or to further the use of their "Magic Mouse". While I do find this mouse very useful, page swipes like this are not very intuitive to me on a desktop. Clicking on a bookmark ribbon just seems worse. As I mentioned in my previous post, people are already fairly accustomed to calendar controls, not much to improve upon at this point.
In order for user interfaces to be able to move away from skeuomorphic techniques one has to consider the willingness of the audience. Web design has been a great test bed for this very things. For many years using anything beyond the base set of html controls + date pickers was considered largely pointless, as businesses needed interfaces that took very little training. As the web evolved into a more entertainment oriented place, technologies like DHTML, Flash, and Javascript allowed designers to experiment with things like sliders, switches, and different types of paging. Apple capitalized on this by taking the best new controls created and built them into the iPhone, which worked so well it gave designers a much larger base set to work with.
In short, introducing stripped down UI's or new controls tend not to succeed when they are forced or simply swapped in because they are "more efficient". They are versioned in for a reason, because people need time to adapt to change.
As for "useless areas or designs" such as torn edges or leather borders, this is all about aesthetic. It's doesn't take a scientist to understand that people like things to look appealing. In the same manner a gamer loves his graphics to look as realistic as possible, so does any other user who sees imitation materials on their screen. Well designed abstract or purely digital layouts can look very nice, but they do not invoke most people's sense of value and worth. Furthering skeuomorphic techniques allows designers the license to introduce other larger changes (like new controls) with little more cushioning than some UI customization.
Yup, you are absolutely right. None of them ever work. My perfect government is represented by Jesus and founded by Jehovah. I don't bash people over the head with it, but that's the only one that works in my eyes. I think that would qualify as a "Theocratic Kingdom" or something similar, and would possess the knowledge required. Failure of any other government is inevitable.
I don't say these things to force religion down their throats, just pointing out that your line of thinking aligns very much with mine, except the "Rule of Law" part. Jehovah's perfect system (as opposed to the Mosaic Law once implemented) runs on principles, not laws.
For the sake of everyone let's hope that it can come at/least/ as peacefully as the Arab Spring came about, preferably more so. I can understand how the Arab nations are tired of religiously based governments, and how religion has hurt them, but a completely turning ones back on it or alienating those who do still practice is not the answer. Religious or not, too much of the human population do have these interests to not consider them. The key lies in balancing everyone's needs, and that requires an environment where EVERY side can voice their interests without fear of bloodshed. Creating this environment has been historically impossible for the middle east.
If you look at my historical comments you'll find that it's far out of my scope to be arguing against theocratic governments, but I can say that communism isn't a bad thing. It CAN be implemented right, it just hasn't been done well so far.
I know the history here, and some how the current situation screams to be that the US would rather have a democratic Iran. I can't speak for the future, but things would be much better for everyone that way now.
The Iranian people are historically a fairly progressive bunch. Cutting off women who have become wage earners, those on their way, and the modernization of that country is going to seriously piss of the population. I see another revolution in their very near future.
Texas friendly implies you may stop by for a visit and say "Hi", get a tour, that sort of thing. I find it doubtful they'd charge you just to check the place out.
I'd like to point out that this is the first story in recent memory that points out the problem for US users directly. While having a company monitor your activity is certainly non-optimal, the bigger problem comes in light of recent US cases involving subpena by the US government. How a company will use one's information can be argued. We have direct, documented proof of how the US government has been using this information.
A little reminder: neither you nor I were alive when that happened. This kind of dipshit thinking is what keeps places like the middle east at war for 5000 years.
We already spray via truck. It's been happening for years. The aerial spraying is using the same chemical, only it's oil based instead of water based. It's called Duet. Here's a KERA article about it, but I don't have any better sources on the chemical.
You are absolutely right, they didn't lie. As a matter of fact, they didn't even commit the crime. Google used a feature, bug, whatever, offered by Safari, to allow logged in users to use a opt-in service. The real problem is that they left the door open, which allowed for other advertisers to piggy-back off their cookie. I feel the fine is appropriately sized, but now I want to know when the government is going after those that piggybacked. I guarantee Google has that information.
Actually, the ruling defining this specifies it as airspace is owned that an owner could "reasonably use". An HOA drone might take care of that requirement nicely.
I'd be interested on how effective a collection of homes creating no fly zones over their houses, or billing for flying in such space. It looks like this shit ain't going away, so lets make it as inconvenient as possible.
As a personal experience I tried just this, saying no. It lasted all of 2 months. The most difficult part of this is that many tech jobs are setup to NEED such access to the employee (ie: developer/support roles). Not sure if this is everyone's experience, but when I informed people I didn't want to get work email on my phone, I was greeted with both awkward looks and suspicion.
I'm bored with it all. This kind of shit just makes people want to stay out of business all together. It's no wonder some people resort to leaving the system and smoking themselves to a stupor. Simply. Just. Done.
Same here bro. This is the toughest development language I've ever learned. The mere fact that the variables can change type based on your changes to other variables, or even "seemingly" randomly drives me insane. However, if Brainfuck did it in 8 characters, I suppose 12 types and 4/5 operators should be more than enough.
Slashdot Mirror
The appropriate url is displayed, data URIs serve a purpose. OP, this is ridiculous. Quit giving this guy a voice.
The fake leather is new in Lion; have a significant number of new users been afraid of iCal in releases past due to it looking "purely digital" but, now that Lion pretends that either a cow or a nauga died to make the calendar app, new users have no problem with it?
I fear we're getting too specific from the main topic. The question asks "Is the Rise of Skeuomorphic User Interfaces a Problem?", not "Where did Apple go wrong?". To answer OP's question, I feel it's a tool used both to integrate new users and ease long time users into new paradigms, so I think not.
So do some users who see imitation materials on their screen. Others think they look appalling rather than appealing.
This is true, but remember, those that don't want those styles generally know how to change settings to make them go away. I'm making a blatant assumption here, but those who do not know how to change the settings will generally like the imitation styles as compared to the purely-digital look. This was proven by many new users in many GUI's past. Looking too "technical" scares new users away.
While the contrast issue doesn't have much to do with this topic, the page swipe most certainly does. I can only account this to Apple's attempt to either maintain interfaces across devices (more of which are touch these days), or to further the use of their "Magic Mouse". While I do find this mouse very useful, page swipes like this are not very intuitive to me on a desktop. Clicking on a bookmark ribbon just seems worse. As I mentioned in my previous post, people are already fairly accustomed to calendar controls, not much to improve upon at this point.
In order for user interfaces to be able to move away from skeuomorphic techniques one has to consider the willingness of the audience. Web design has been a great test bed for this very things. For many years using anything beyond the base set of html controls + date pickers was considered largely pointless, as businesses needed interfaces that took very little training. As the web evolved into a more entertainment oriented place, technologies like DHTML, Flash, and Javascript allowed designers to experiment with things like sliders, switches, and different types of paging. Apple capitalized on this by taking the best new controls created and built them into the iPhone, which worked so well it gave designers a much larger base set to work with.
In short, introducing stripped down UI's or new controls tend not to succeed when they are forced or simply swapped in because they are "more efficient". They are versioned in for a reason, because people need time to adapt to change.
As for "useless areas or designs" such as torn edges or leather borders, this is all about aesthetic. It's doesn't take a scientist to understand that people like things to look appealing. In the same manner a gamer loves his graphics to look as realistic as possible, so does any other user who sees imitation materials on their screen. Well designed abstract or purely digital layouts can look very nice, but they do not invoke most people's sense of value and worth. Furthering skeuomorphic techniques allows designers the license to introduce other larger changes (like new controls) with little more cushioning than some UI customization.
Yup, you are absolutely right. None of them ever work. My perfect government is represented by Jesus and founded by Jehovah. I don't bash people over the head with it, but that's the only one that works in my eyes. I think that would qualify as a "Theocratic Kingdom" or something similar, and would possess the knowledge required. Failure of any other government is inevitable.
I don't say these things to force religion down their throats, just pointing out that your line of thinking aligns very much with mine, except the "Rule of Law" part. Jehovah's perfect system (as opposed to the Mosaic Law once implemented) runs on principles, not laws.
For the sake of everyone let's hope that it can come at /least/ as peacefully as the Arab Spring came about, preferably more so. I can understand how the Arab nations are tired of religiously based governments, and how religion has hurt them, but a completely turning ones back on it or alienating those who do still practice is not the answer. Religious or not, too much of the human population do have these interests to not consider them. The key lies in balancing everyone's needs, and that requires an environment where EVERY side can voice their interests without fear of bloodshed. Creating this environment has been historically impossible for the middle east.
If you look at my historical comments you'll find that it's far out of my scope to be arguing against theocratic governments, but I can say that communism isn't a bad thing. It CAN be implemented right, it just hasn't been done well so far.
I know the history here, and some how the current situation screams to be that the US would rather have a democratic Iran. I can't speak for the future, but things would be much better for everyone that way now.
Except for "Grands" biscuits. These are undoubtedly some of the best biscuits on Earth. And I welcome our pillowy doughboy overlord.
From the bottom of my heart I wish I could argue the opposing side of this comment. Unfortunately, this to has too much history to count against.
The Iranian people are historically a fairly progressive bunch. Cutting off women who have become wage earners, those on their way, and the modernization of that country is going to seriously piss of the population. I see another revolution in their very near future.
Texas friendly implies you may stop by for a visit and say "Hi", get a tour, that sort of thing. I find it doubtful they'd charge you just to check the place out.
I'd like to point out that this is the first story in recent memory that points out the problem for US users directly. While having a company monitor your activity is certainly non-optimal, the bigger problem comes in light of recent US cases involving subpena by the US government. How a company will use one's information can be argued. We have direct, documented proof of how the US government has been using this information.
But you were cool with them
A little reminder: neither you nor I were alive when that happened. This kind of dipshit thinking is what keeps places like the middle east at war for 5000 years.
*Clears throat*
Amen Brotha!
We already spray via truck. It's been happening for years. The aerial spraying is using the same chemical, only it's oil based instead of water based. It's called Duet. Here's a KERA article about it, but I don't have any better sources on the chemical.
http://keranews.org/post/company-tries-reassure-residents-about-aerial-spraying
It's no state of emergency here, but the city is set to start aerial spraying.
You are absolutely right, they didn't lie. As a matter of fact, they didn't even commit the crime. Google used a feature, bug, whatever, offered by Safari, to allow logged in users to use a opt-in service. The real problem is that they left the door open, which allowed for other advertisers to piggy-back off their cookie. I feel the fine is appropriately sized, but now I want to know when the government is going after those that piggybacked. I guarantee Google has that information.
Actually, the ruling defining this specifies it as airspace is owned that an owner could "reasonably use". An HOA drone might take care of that requirement nicely.
I'd be interested on how effective a collection of homes creating no fly zones over their houses, or billing for flying in such space. It looks like this shit ain't going away, so lets make it as inconvenient as possible.
Can I get an AMEN?
As a personal experience I tried just this, saying no. It lasted all of 2 months. The most difficult part of this is that many tech jobs are setup to NEED such access to the employee (ie: developer/support roles). Not sure if this is everyone's experience, but when I informed people I didn't want to get work email on my phone, I was greeted with both awkward looks and suspicion.
Just like Slashdot is part of the News Media, but the News Media isn't Slashdot.
Thank you for assuming we're all idiots. Please move on.
I'm bored with it all. This kind of shit just makes people want to stay out of business all together. It's no wonder some people resort to leaving the system and smoking themselves to a stupor. Simply. Just. Done.
/Just/ a software engineer?
Same here bro. This is the toughest development language I've ever learned. The mere fact that the variables can change type based on your changes to other variables, or even "seemingly" randomly drives me insane. However, if Brainfuck did it in 8 characters, I suppose 12 types and 4/5 operators should be more than enough.