4 ms·

I really don't like articles like these. The author takes a cute analogy and turns it into guiding principals. > Physical UIs can be more intuitive and usable

I really don't like articles like these. The author takes a cute analogy and turns it into guiding principals. > Physical UIs can be more intuitive and usable than screens Physical UIs also don't need to help the user navigate digital content. Hugely different to physical content. > When tech is rugged, it’s a joy to use It is? I would say that when tech accomplishes its job of connecting the user with the purpose of the tool (in an easy way) - then it's a joy to use. Ruggedness can be a boon here, sure. Personally, as a musician, I've never been on stage and given preference to knobs & dials - I've given it to the sound and what I want the audience to experience with my playing or a song - not the joy of me stomping something. Bit of a rant, sorry about that. But these sorts of "full of content, but no message" articles bug me.

jrm4 4y ago
Honestly, modern UX is frequently so stupid that, apparently, articles this simple are necessary. Lookin' at you, Tesla touchscreen.
- canthonytucci 4y ago
  The Tesla touchscreen + 2 steering wheel jog dialy encoder things is the best car interface I've used, having owned ~35 different cars of various makes and classes over the years. Model years ranging from 1962 to 2021. My advice to make peace with the Tesla screen: Embrace the car for what it is. Fewer moving parts not just in the drivetrain, but as a philosophy. Why clutter up physical and mental space with a control you'll use once a year? Embrace "automatic" for things like climate and wipers. Embrace picking something to listen to when you set off, and leaving it there. Embrace the (at least if you have a 3 or Y) highly tactile steering wheel buttons. You can fiddle with the volume and track selection from the steering wheel, and on the right side the voice works just fine for things like changing the temperature, or making a phone call. On many trips you may never touch that screen while the car is in motion.
  - max_entropy 4y ago
    Has the word 'embrace' become a euphemism for surrendering control?
  - jrm4 4y ago
    "Make peace." No. No no no no no, a million times no. We do not "make peace" with the objects we buy, because what that means is "surrender autonomy to the company." We do whatever the hell we want with the objects we buy, limited by law, true safety, and decency, not by what serves the company. Stop encouraging being a sheep.
beckerdo 4y ago
"Physical UIs also don't need to help the user navigate digital content. Hugely different to physical content." Consider the Beat Buddy pedal (automated drum accompaniment pedal) which can play lots of digital content via user commands. Yes the foot commands are limited ("add a fill", "splash sound", "next phrase", "end song"), and so are the dials ("choose playlist", "change tempo"). However, the proper stomping really helps if you want to add an extra solo or just chill with a beat while you tell a story.

jrm4 4y ago

Honestly, modern UX is frequently so stupid that, apparently, articles this simple are necessary. Lookin' at you, Tesla touchscreen.

canthonytucci 4y ago
The Tesla touchscreen + 2 steering wheel jog dialy encoder things is the best car interface I've used, having owned ~35 different cars of various makes and classes over the years. Model years ranging from 1962 to 2021. My advice to make peace with the Tesla screen: Embrace the car for what it is. Fewer moving parts not just in the drivetrain, but as a philosophy. Why clutter up physical and mental space with a control you'll use once a year? Embrace "automatic" for things like climate and wipers. Embrace picking something to listen to when you set off, and leaving it there. Embrace the (at least if you have a 3 or Y) highly tactile steering wheel buttons. You can fiddle with the volume and track selection from the steering wheel, and on the right side the voice works just fine for things like changing the temperature, or making a phone call. On many trips you may never touch that screen while the car is in motion.
- max_entropy 4y ago
  Has the word 'embrace' become a euphemism for surrendering control?
- jrm4 4y ago
  "Make peace." No. No no no no no, a million times no. We do not "make peace" with the objects we buy, because what that means is "surrender autonomy to the company." We do whatever the hell we want with the objects we buy, limited by law, true safety, and decency, not by what serves the company. Stop encouraging being a sheep.

beckerdo 4y ago

"Physical UIs also don't need to help the user navigate digital content. Hugely different to physical content." Consider the Beat Buddy pedal (automated drum accompaniment pedal) which can play lots of digital content via user commands. Yes the foot commands are limited ("add a fill", "splash sound", "next phrase", "end song"), and so are the dials ("choose playlist", "change tempo"). However, the proper stomping really helps if you want to add an extra solo or just chill with a beat while you tell a story.