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But what if I want a faster horse?

(rakhim.exotext.com)
1525 points saeedesmaili | 2 comments | 11 Apr 25 11:39 UTC | HN request time: 0.471s | source
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patapong ◴[11 Apr 25 14:49 UTC] No.43654427[source]▶
I am astonished by how much less delightful software has become. Computers used to feel like a magical tool, that would respond instantly and allow me to perform complicated transformations at the press of a button.

Now, I feel like I am fighting against software most of the time, having to compete with someones vision for how I should be using their program, which is likely aimed at the least technically sophisticated user. Nothing wrong with allowing such users to use the software, but please retain the functionality and speed for the power users!

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sureIy ◴[11 Apr 25 14:55 UTC] No.43654498[source]▶
Is this about software or is it about you?

I loved my computer when I was a kid, now I only see flaws. I don't think software was flawless at the time, it's just that I became very keenly aware of its current issues because this is my field.

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1. okwhateverdude ◴[11 Apr 25 16:15 UTC] No.43655500[source]▶
I think I am in the same boat as you. Knowing how the sausage is made only makes the flaws noticed even more offensive.

But I do think the GP has a point about the intentional friction and bullshit introduced into lots of modern software that wasn't even a twinkling in some CEOs eye way back when. Software has become adversarial to the user. Psychology has been weaponized to induce behaviors in users. Instead of users feeling utility and choice in using the software, they feel burdened, controlled. Or at least, I do. I try to make smart choices about what software I use to maintain my own volition.

These kinds of flaws are fundamentally different from the kinds of flaws in software from the past if only because of the order of magnitude increase of resources that can be mustered to accomplish it. And because they are exploitative.

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2. the_snooze ◴[11 Apr 25 16:37 UTC] No.43655754[source]▶
I think the harsh practical reality is that a lot of end-user computing needs have been met for a long time: word processing, media playback, communications, etc. Unless you need live collaboration or some specialized package, most things you can do in modern Google Sheets you can do just as well in LibreOffice Calc or Excel 97.

How does one build or maintain a viable software business in a world where most people's software needs have been met? It's to pivot away from delivering value towards extracting value. Hence all the push towards cloud-based services instead of stadalone local programs. Online connectivity allows the developer to arbitrarily change the balance of value between them and the user, which is where the gross adversarial feeling of modern computing comes from. The computer is no longer serving you exclusively.