Back in the days of text mode applications, we do not complain about user interface design. Either it is seen as a lesser problem, or text mode itself is better

Back in the days of text mode applications, we do not complain about user interface design. Either it is seen as a lesser problem, or text mode itself is better for presenting user interfaces. I'd argue that the latter is true. Firstly, in text mode, screen estate is limited. One has to be careful in what one chooses to display on the main menus. Secondly, we already program in text mode. Creating text mode menus poses less cognitive dissonance for the programmer than dragging and dropping radio buttons and menu bars. The bad user interfaces that I've seen usually present all available options within the main screen, and it ends up being a crapfest of controls with no obvious guidance to the poor user as to what is a sensible next step. Text menus also present a very structured way for users to explore a program. If you made a mistake, you have a better chance of retracing your steps. In contrast, WIMP systems may present multiple entry points for a single functionality, with little information on how to undo one's changes. Toolbars are the worst in this respect. The button that one clicks to "perform" the action is not the same button one might use to "undo" the action.