3 ms·

Uh, yeah it is? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_pattern https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_pattern

by avazhi 10mo ago

hombre_fatal 10mo ago
No, because following major software updates is the right thing for 99% of people, not staying behind on a previous major version with security updates. You have to think about UX for 99%, not just for HNers who might know what a 15.7.3 is.
- jtbayly 10mo ago
  If there are security updates, then actually staying on the old OS is probably better for 99% of users. Constant change is almost impossible for most people to deal with.
- avazhi 10mo ago
  > No, because following major software updates is the right thing for 99% of people Not if we aren’t talking about security updates. In this case the previous version of iOS also has the same security updates so ‘updating’ to a new version is completely up to the user, with no difference in security posture either way. Tricking users into updating for what are in the tech company’s opinion ‘new features’ is by definition a dark pattern.
  - hombre_fatal 10mo ago
    I used to think this kind of stuff until I had to make similar decisions about UX for technical software that wasn't just used by engineers. "Want to upgrade to 15.7.3 or 26.2?" is just a nonstarter. Kinda feels like crying wolf and watering down the term to invoke "dark pattern" for platform software upgrades.
jeffbee 10mo ago
Having a default choice is not itself a dark pattern. Offering a free update to the latest version of the project, and a choice to update a branch release instead, does not constitute a dark pattern.
- avazhi 10mo ago
  The dark pattern emerges when you mislead the user about what they’re clicking. Deception in the UI is by definition a dark pattern. Weird hill for you to die on given that dark patterns have been specifically legislated for in many jurisdictions and have a clear definition.

3 ms·

Uh, yeah it is? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_pattern https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_pattern

by avazhi 10mo ago

Uh, yeah it is? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_pattern https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_pattern

hombre_fatal 10mo ago
No, because following major software updates is the right thing for 99% of people, not staying behind on a previous major version with security updates. You have to think about UX for 99%, not just for HNers who might know what a 15.7.3 is.
- jtbayly 10mo ago
  If there are security updates, then actually staying on the old OS is probably better for 99% of users. Constant change is almost impossible for most people to deal with.
- avazhi 10mo ago
  > No, because following major software updates is the right thing for 99% of people Not if we aren’t talking about security updates. In this case the previous version of iOS also has the same security updates so ‘updating’ to a new version is completely up to the user, with no difference in security posture either way. Tricking users into updating for what are in the tech company’s opinion ‘new features’ is by definition a dark pattern.
  - hombre_fatal 10mo ago
    I used to think this kind of stuff until I had to make similar decisions about UX for technical software that wasn't just used by engineers. "Want to upgrade to 15.7.3 or 26.2?" is just a nonstarter. Kinda feels like crying wolf and watering down the term to invoke "dark pattern" for platform software upgrades.
jeffbee 10mo ago
Having a default choice is not itself a dark pattern. Offering a free update to the latest version of the project, and a choice to update a branch release instead, does not constitute a dark pattern.
- avazhi 10mo ago
  The dark pattern emerges when you mislead the user about what they’re clicking. Deception in the UI is by definition a dark pattern. Weird hill for you to die on given that dark patterns have been specifically legislated for in many jurisdictions and have a clear definition.