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> That's not a problem, it's a feature. 1000 times this. I want software I'm running to look like the rest of the OS (and every other application) and respect

> That's not a problem, it's a feature. 1000 times this. I want software I'm running to look like the rest of the OS (and every other application) and respect my OS-level UI preferences. In the case of Win32 using the OS primitive controls mean that your application gets tons of accessibility and preference features "for free" (albeit Microsoft has done a good job in later Windows releases of removing the functionality to set some of these preferences). There is no value add in making your app UI look bespoke. All the labor you're putting into that work is labor that could be better spent on functionality, features, and optimization. When I see an overly "precious" UI on Windows (owner-drawn controls, animations, fades, etc) I immediately question the ability of the developer to prioritize.

jenadine 2y ago
You seem to be in the minority with that thought. The evidence is that most apps nowadays comes with their own style, often packed in a HTML frontend. Users are used of websites which all have their own designs, and don't seem to mind if all apps have different look and feel.
- userbinator 2y ago
  Most users have just developed a learned helplessness. It doesn't mean they don't like it.
- surfingdino 2y ago
  Devs that learned web frontend dev are not familiar with OS GUI guidelines. When I tell them Apple used to publish GUI guidelines for Mac application developers they stare at me in disbelief.
- analog31 2y ago
  Most users are unaware that there are UI standards, and have no basis for comparison. They use Google to help them figure out how to use apps, and take hand-written notes on how to find the things that they need. Once they figure out the functions in an UI that they need, they just pray that it doesn't change. The average user experience is horrific.
zigzag312 2y ago
> I want software I'm running to look like the rest of the OS This is an impossible task on Windows, as it has multiple, inconsistent UIs by itself.
- EvanAnderson 2y ago
  I want the apps I run on Windows to look like other Win32 apps. I want them to use native Windows controls. All the UI "enhancements" in Windows 8 and subsequent versions are garbage and irritate me just as much as any other non-Win32 native UI.

jenadine 2y ago

You seem to be in the minority with that thought. The evidence is that most apps nowadays comes with their own style, often packed in a HTML frontend. Users are used of websites which all have their own designs, and don't seem to mind if all apps have different look and feel.

userbinator 2y ago
Most users have just developed a learned helplessness. It doesn't mean they don't like it.
surfingdino 2y ago
Devs that learned web frontend dev are not familiar with OS GUI guidelines. When I tell them Apple used to publish GUI guidelines for Mac application developers they stare at me in disbelief.
analog31 2y ago
Most users are unaware that there are UI standards, and have no basis for comparison. They use Google to help them figure out how to use apps, and take hand-written notes on how to find the things that they need. Once they figure out the functions in an UI that they need, they just pray that it doesn't change. The average user experience is horrific.

zigzag312 2y ago

> I want software I'm running to look like the rest of the OS This is an impossible task on Windows, as it has multiple, inconsistent UIs by itself.

EvanAnderson 2y ago
I want the apps I run on Windows to look like other Win32 apps. I want them to use native Windows controls. All the UI "enhancements" in Windows 8 and subsequent versions are garbage and irritate me just as much as any other non-Win32 native UI.