Ask HN: Is anyone else unhappy about the recent push for grid interfaces?
For years, user interfaces were all about data presentation, and efficient use of space. I could open up the start menu and have a few dozen applications displayed in a list, and easily accessible to the eye. But recently, it seems that interfaces are becoming fatter, with a less efficient use for screen space. Large buttons are replacing lists, big images are replacing text.. Instead of all my apps being in a neat list, my apps will now be on several screens that I have to scroll to. Does anyone think that this new interface can have enough pros to outweigh the cons involved in this change? I feel like Microsoft is just creating this dramatically new interface to spark curiosity in the consumer's eye, to make the customer believe that Microsoft still has a shred of imagination left in the once great company. But to be honest, I feel that Microsoft is creating the world's next gimmick. A ditch effort to turn their sales around in a market that they're losing to Apple. And i have doubts that this interface is really worth switching to for someone who is competent in the user field? Are we on a downhill slope with the efficiency of data presentation? Are we catering to being incompetent? I'm not saying the desktop environment shouldn't change, but I really have my doubts that the grid menu system is the best direction. What are your thoughts?
I'm sorry if there are spelling errors. I don't have my computer tonight, and I typed this out on my phone ironically. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
1 comment
[ 5.5 ms ] story [ 12.4 ms ] threadI've been using WP7 for a few months now, and it has a similar interface to the new Windows 8 UI. Though your concerns may be valid for power-users, the average user has and uses much less apps than you probably think. The most important thing is the browser, maybe an e-mail client and then a media player, and a few other apps. 10 buttons would likely be a lot for the average user.
At the same time, I somewhat agree that having a list is important. I suspect that hiding in Win8 somewhere is an alphabetical list of apps with search, just like in WP7.5