User Experience - Blog Posts
Wireframe explorations I did for an augmented reality Porsche campaign that came off of a 4-page spread last summer. I helped create many design iterations (not all shown) for the game section showing all possible layouts that can work with a moving 3d space yet not block the users view.
tumblr blackout proposal
tumblr mobile has steadily become near unusable these past few updates. not just from a user experience perspective (which is important enough in itself) but also from an accessibility perspective.
examples include the new way the image viewer works (if you can call it "working"), the tumblr live button replacing the profile button, and that newly created blogs will be forced to have their main dashboard tab be the 'for you' page.
the demands of the protest would be along the lines of:
reverse the recent image viewer update
scrap the new users 'for you' page default setting
let us turn off tumblr live indefinitely
increase efforts against spam / porn bots
make reporting abuse and hate speech as easy as reporting as reporting spam
let us go nuts show nuts again... for real this time
remove flashing ads, including not accepting blaze campaigns for posts with flashing in them
commit to improving usability and accessibility, and listening to users!
(suggestions welcome!)
to protest against these usability issues, and inspired by the recent reddit blackout, i propose a 48 hour blackout (where you don't use tumblr at all). preferably of both mobile and web (since web has problems too) but mobile is the focus here.
[edit: a 'blackout' is when you don't log in, or interact with the site at all, for [x] amount of time.]
I suggest from the 30th of June.
this marks the end of pride month (for the "queerest place on the internet") and the start of disability month (since accessibility is a massive issue here).
tumblr office is in San Francisco, USA, so the times and dates will be calculated using their time zone (PDT).
you can find out the times and dates for your timezone here.
i can't afford to blaze this post so please spread it around as much as possible! protests only work if significant numbers show up!
edit: tumblr rejected the blaze campaigns for this post because they know it would hurt them. let's make this an indefinite blackout - it's the best way to get results.
I like the direction this is going in, but I think it’s missing some nuance.
My main critique is that this fails to realize just how complex computers really are. Because of this complexity there has to be different layers of user interaction with varying complexity, and consequently, control.
As someone who has dabbled in programing, I can give some insight as to why some tools are made exclusively for command line: gui's are not easy to make. Even harder if you want it to be any good. When I want to make a tool or program to do something for me, I don't choose to make it only accessible from the command line because I want to disadvantage others or otherwise maintain a status quo where I have an advantage, I do it out of practical necessity; programming is a hobby I use to accomplish things when I can't tools that do what I want, and as a hobby I don't sink enough time into it to make everything into polished gui's. There is something to say regarding companies who have the resources deciding not to make a gui when they could, but that's not an issue I'm aware of.
I really love the critique of how computers are currently structured, specifically folders and file structures. For files and folders that the computer is directly using (say by the os or applications) I would say folders are probably a decent way of ordering things. Or that is to say I can't think of a better way to structure things in an efficient way for the computer to access. (I know your critiquing the focus on efficiency, but for resources used by the computer itself, not the user, efficiency is important. Poor efficiency results in worse system performance, and so is not desirable.)
Returning to files (or equivalent concept) that are used by the user, there really is no reason why they should be ordered the same as the operating system does it. There is a pretty good argument that they shouldn't be ordered in such a way, which I believe is what is being argued above. I personally order my files and notes in folders mostly out of a practical need. There are alternatives though, look into Personal Knowledge Management systems and the tools that make them possible. My personal favorite is Obsidian, and in there I don't order files using folders, I use tags and note metadata. To track books I'm reading for example, I have a '#books' tag to designate the notes, and then I use a combination of properties ('status' with 'reading', 'read', 'tbr' or 'progress' with the number of pages I've read so far, etc). I can then use special searches to create lists of notes to surface information or content that is useful and easy to find. To make my point, I think that there are tools allowing users to already go beyond the hierarchical file/folder structure. They might have farther to go, but I think people are interested enough in them that they are improving.
Should using the command line be necessary? Honestly, no. It probably shouldn't. Should the command line not exists? Also no. Because of the complexity of computers, I don't think we should try to remove that lower level. Should we improve the higher levels? Give more control to users without requiring them to go to harder to use mediums, such as a command line? One hundred percent!
I would also agree that command line and computer system management stuff does have a steep learning curve. And unfortunately I don't see that going away; it's sort of in their nature to be hard to learn. Maybe I'm being a broken record, but computers are complex. That doesn't mean that the user interface (gui 99% of the time) should be difficult to learn. And to the point above, that control should require a steep learning curve.
There is an argument to be made though regarding giving command line tools and interaction some grace. If the goal is to make user interfaces that are easiest to use for different individuals, that is what works for one person might not work for another, so we need several options for different individuals and tasks, then I would say command line interfaces should be included in that. I would say that they can be the best tool for some people and for some tasks. Not all tasks, and not all people though, which ties back in to the necessity of using them if you want to do certain things. Perhaps that shouldn't be necessary.
It is also worth pointing out that due to the complexity of computers, if the user had easy control over their entire system, they could very easily mess it up in irreparable ways. Because of this it might be a benefit to have difficult interface options such as command lines that have a steep learning curve, because it requires by nature that the user knows, to a degree, what they are doing, and are thus less likely to case permanent damage.
That was a lot. Thanks for reading this far!
“I Need Your Support to Continue My Studies and Build My Future from Gaza🍉🍉
My name is Mahmoud Naeem Abu Hatab, from Gaza.
I am a university student majoring in Software and Databases at Al-Azhar University. Since the beginning of my academic journey, I have been passionate about User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design, as well as website development. These fields inspire me, and I dream of advancing my skills and building a professional career in them.
Unfortunately, during the recent war, I lost my laptop, which was essential for both my studies and work. I was forced to flee my home and relocate to southern Gaza due to the difficult circumstances. Despite my efforts to replace my laptop, the financial situation has made it impossible to afford a new one.
Without a laptop, continuing my studies or seeking job opportunities in programming and design has become extremely challenging. This directly affects my academic progress and future career.
Today, I am reaching out to ask for your support to help me purchase a new laptop. Having a laptop would allow me to resume my studies and work on programming and design projects that are crucial for improving my skills. It is a vital step towards completing my education and pursuing my dream of becoming a professional in programming and UX/UI design.
I know that the situation in Gaza is difficult, but I believe education is the only path to building a better future for myself and my family. If you are able to contribute any amount to help me get a new laptop, it would be a real opportunity for me to get back on track academically and professionally.
I am determined to keep learning and working despite the challenges, but I need your support to achieve this goal. Every donation or act of help, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in my life.
If you’d like to support me, you can donate through:
GoFundMe
OR
USDT
If you can assist in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Thank you for your support and kindness! 🌿
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