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Linux was accidentally designed for agents
a day ago
- Building a home theater PC on Linux is now easier than on Windows or macOS because agents can perform tasks without human intervention.
- Modern operating systems like macOS require human interaction (e.g., clicking) for many settings changes, which is inconvenient when using agents.
- Linux, traditionally operated via text UI, is ideal for agents as they can execute scripts without needing graphical interfaces.
- Agents do not benefit from human-centered design; they prefer direct, scriptable UIs over point-and-click interfaces.
- The author argues that the future of computing involves humans interacting through natural language agents, not directly with graphical UIs.
- Linux has accidentally become a standard for user interface design in an era where users are increasingly non-human agents.
Show your hands honor for the power they bring you
24 days ago
- Early typists exceeded expected typing speeds due to overlapping finger movements, a phenomenon called overlapping.
- Computers initially had slow, remote interactions, leading to unpleasant typing delays and echo issues.
- Local echo and buffers were developed to improve typing responsiveness, but UI blocking remained a problem.
- Parallel processing (front-end and back-end brains) was introduced to prevent UI blocking and maintain real-time feedback.
- Loading states aim to make software feel fast, sometimes using optimistic updates or delays for better user experience.
- Motor memory allows for fast, subconscious interactions, like password typing or keyboard shortcuts, but requires respectful design.
- Shift and Caps Lock evolved as different modal toggles, with some designs like joint Shift/Caps Lock keys and thumb shift keyboards improving efficiency.
- Good interfaces include features like dead zones, modifier key flexibility, and emergency stops (e.g., Esc) to accommodate fast, error-prone fingers.
- Scrolling interactions, such as Apple's momentum scrolling and two-finger trackpad panning, exemplify fluid, finger-friendly design.
- Design principles like debouncing, spring-loading, and avoiding distractions (e.g., hovercards) are crucial for respecting finger speed and motor memory.
If you're a button, you have one job
24 days ago
- An interactive essay discusses universal challenges of user interfaces, despite seeming old-fashioned due to classic desktop examples.
- A rotation control example: on iPhone, taps are buffered allowing rapid input; on Nothing Phone/Android, taps during animation are ignored with feedback.
- This highlights 'situational disability'—accessibility matters as everyone can face disabling situations, like needing to rotate many photos quickly.
- Casual vs. non-casual use: phone interfaces often serve casual users but must also accommodate power users in specific scenarios.
- Key principle: never force users to wait for animations; buffering inputs or interrupting animations can improve experience.

user interface design

Linux was accidentally designed for agents

Show your hands honor for the power they bring you

If you're a button, you have one job