The goal is for every student to learn basic CS, not be an actual computer scientist. Should we stop teaching basic math because of the raw amount of people who end up in engineering and finance roles?
The thought processes taught in beginning CS can be applied to many daily activities. Even, dare I say... ART-RELATED fields.
In the case of GIMP, I think it's pretty simple: If you are porting OS X, have the professional pride to learn the native UI libraries. XCode is free and placement of UI elements doesn't really require reading documentation, just use the industry leader and make improvements where you see fit.
It's pretty simple, and I'm always surprised software engineers have such a hard time understanding this: Specialize for the user.
Does the vi UX suck? No, it's perfect for people who are great are memorizing esoteric commands for efficient text editing.
Does GIMP UX suck? Almost all professional designers have been brought up using either OS X or Windows. Yet the GIMP UI still looks like it's running under X11. That's a non-starter for 99% of the user base, unless you're going to tell me GIMP was never meant to enter the mainstream.
In summary, don't cheap out on the UI because you want to use some open source UI library. Understand end-user expectations (i.e., not just YOUR expectations) and fill them.
The public's want for Apple products has almost superseded their need for Microsoft products, what else is it going to take for Apple go their their props?? All that money wasn't made by suing people, it was earned with great product vision, marketing and execution, so shut the fuck up and create your own "Apple" if you think their so stupid and unethical.
On-line "petitions" probably carry 1/100th (if not 1/1000th) the effect of a hand-typed, printed, and signed letter. This applied doubly so to letters to politicians. If you really give a damn, put in the effort. It will make a difference to your cause.
Thankfully we've come to the point where network firmware upgrades keep the the console UX fresh. On top of that, Microsoft has been gradually adding specs to the 360 over the years. I am constantly surprised by the number of people who "just bought another one" because their previous 360 was lacking HDMI, or just didn't want to go through the hassle of M$ replacing it after falling prey to the RRoD. How long will be before M$ just says, "ok, let's add a new GPU to the existing hardware and call it the Ultra model?"
Other parts of the US aside, here in the Bay Area, T-Mobile is complete garbage. So, that only leaves the OTHER gsm provider in the game... the hated AT&T. Might as well spend the extra cash get the iPhone, if you ask me.
I'd read this article, but I think all Facebook users are gossipy snobs. Yes I am in my 20s, yes I like to post random bulletins, and yes I visit MySpace 15-20 times a day.
What the hell does it matter. These phones won't be coming out in the US anytime soon. If they even show up here at all, we will probably see them 4-6 months AFTER the euro market sees them. Again, fuck you very much US carriers.
Without RTFA, I can already tell you I prefer Safari, and this it why.
Two things:
1. Font smoothing/anti-aliasing. Typefaces just look better! Maybe this has been fixed in Vista, and I know IE7 does it to some extent (I don't know), but for us still on XP, this one simple thing is enough to make me switch.
2. Pretty image scaling. Also a small thing, but scaled images just look better! Why is this so damn hard for other browsers to do?
Disclaimer: I am a long-time mac user, and a UI designer, so these things probably matter more to me than they do to the average engineering bear.
GIMPShop may be fine and well for all those who can quickly relearn the placement of buttons and new key commands, but for the rest (majority?) of us designers, the GIMP and GIMPShop just won't cut it. We are really creatures of habit, and call us suckers, but Adobe has really made us comfortable with their UI. Having to adhere to the X interface is reason enough for me to pass on GIMPShop.
I think the problem with Nielsen's argument is that what he considers the "basics" have changed over the last 10 years. As an anal graphic designer AND a huge MySpace fan, all this complaining about usability (or lack of) is just "old design" snobbery. Eventually people have to wake up and realize that just because it's ugly doesn't mean it's diffucult or 'not fun' to use.
Bottom line is that MySpace, to my knowledge, is the ONLY "web 2.0" site that allows (hacky) CSS and HTML to be manipulated by users at all levels. People who, 3 years ago, could barely turn a computer on are now blogging, posting pictures, e-mailing (albeit through the MySpace messaging service), and learning to write hypertext tags, specifically because of MySpace.
IMHO, in the "new" consumer-based web, the functionality IS the design, and it is NOT useless.
Slashdot Mirror
If only there was a way to make a "Thug Life" youtube video out of a ./ post.
The goal is for every student to learn basic CS, not be an actual computer scientist. Should we stop teaching basic math because of the raw amount of people who end up in engineering and finance roles?
The thought processes taught in beginning CS can be applied to many daily activities. Even, dare I say... ART-RELATED fields.
Good advice. Trouble is, that's really expensive.
In the case of GIMP, I think it's pretty simple: If you are porting OS X, have the professional pride to learn the native UI libraries. XCode is free and placement of UI elements doesn't really require reading documentation, just use the industry leader and make improvements where you see fit.
It's pretty simple, and I'm always surprised software engineers have such a hard time understanding this: Specialize for the user.
Does the vi UX suck? No, it's perfect for people who are great are memorizing esoteric commands for efficient text editing.
Does GIMP UX suck? Almost all professional designers have been brought up using either OS X or Windows. Yet the GIMP UI still looks like it's running under X11. That's a non-starter for 99% of the user base, unless you're going to tell me GIMP was never meant to enter the mainstream.
In summary, don't cheap out on the UI because you want to use some open source UI library. Understand end-user expectations (i.e., not just YOUR expectations) and fill them.
I think the GTA series is the rightful and modern successor of the genre.
The public's want for Apple products has almost superseded their need for Microsoft products, what else is it going to take for Apple go their their props?? All that money wasn't made by suing people, it was earned with great product vision, marketing and execution, so shut the fuck up and create your own "Apple" if you think their so stupid and unethical.
I hope they know many times that amount of needs to be returned some day.
...that time before the 80's when your files and OS were on the network and you had to use that dumb terminal thing?
No mention of Roku? $30 less than aTV, more content, better resolution...
;)
Disclaimer: I might or might not have worked for companies mentioned
We should be so lucky!
...Roku today.
On-line "petitions" probably carry 1/100th (if not 1/1000th) the effect of a hand-typed, printed, and signed letter. This applied doubly so to letters to politicians. If you really give a damn, put in the effort. It will make a difference to your cause.
Why would I need this? I already have a webkit browser with tabs on top.
Thankfully we've come to the point where network firmware upgrades keep the the console UX fresh. On top of that, Microsoft has been gradually adding specs to the 360 over the years. I am constantly surprised by the number of people who "just bought another one" because their previous 360 was lacking HDMI, or just didn't want to go through the hassle of M$ replacing it after falling prey to the RRoD. How long will be before M$ just says, "ok, let's add a new GPU to the existing hardware and call it the Ultra model?"
I don't see any video codecs listed. Will my 5g iPod loose video playback capability?
Just think of an interesting project for them to work on.
Almost every programmer can be a superstar. They just need proper motivation, and unfortunately, money does not usually fall into this realm.
Beacuse, if you've ever spoken with any scum-bag contractor, IE6 is the fastest and easiest way for them to deploy and get paid.
Other parts of the US aside, here in the Bay Area, T-Mobile is complete garbage. So, that only leaves the OTHER gsm provider in the game... the hated AT&T. Might as well spend the extra cash get the iPhone, if you ask me.
I'd read this article, but I think all Facebook users are gossipy snobs. Yes I am in my 20s, yes I like to post random bulletins, and yes I visit MySpace 15-20 times a day.
Someone let me know, was I spot on or what?
What the hell does it matter. These phones won't be coming out in the US anytime soon. If they even show up here at all, we will probably see them 4-6 months AFTER the euro market sees them. Again, fuck you very much US carriers.
Without RTFA, I can already tell you I prefer Safari, and this it why.
Two things:
1. Font smoothing/anti-aliasing. Typefaces just look better! Maybe this has been fixed in Vista, and I know IE7 does it to some extent (I don't know), but for us still on XP, this one simple thing is enough to make me switch.
2. Pretty image scaling. Also a small thing, but scaled images just look better! Why is this so damn hard for other browsers to do?
Disclaimer: I am a long-time mac user, and a UI designer, so these things probably matter more to me than they do to the average engineering bear.
GIMPShop may be fine and well for all those who can quickly relearn the placement of buttons and new key commands, but for the rest (majority?) of us designers, the GIMP and GIMPShop just won't cut it. We are really creatures of habit, and call us suckers, but Adobe has really made us comfortable with their UI. Having to adhere to the X interface is reason enough for me to pass on GIMPShop.
I think the problem with Nielsen's argument is that what he considers the "basics" have changed over the last 10 years. As an anal graphic designer AND a huge MySpace fan, all this complaining about usability (or lack of) is just "old design" snobbery. Eventually people have to wake up and realize that just because it's ugly doesn't mean it's diffucult or 'not fun' to use.
Bottom line is that MySpace, to my knowledge, is the ONLY "web 2.0" site that allows (hacky) CSS and HTML to be manipulated by users at all levels. People who, 3 years ago, could barely turn a computer on are now blogging, posting pictures, e-mailing (albeit through the MySpace messaging service), and learning to write hypertext tags, specifically because of MySpace.
IMHO, in the "new" consumer-based web, the functionality IS the design, and it is NOT useless.
Ok, I can understand Vista and Office, BUT FOR GOD'S SAKE PEOPLE, PLEASE UPGRADE TO IE7.
The day I can use an alpha png as a CSS background without fear of EPIC BREAKAGE is the day I can breath easy.