this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2025
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The Decline of Usability: Revisited | datagubbe.se (datagubbe.se)
submitted 3 days ago by 2xsaiko@discuss.tchncs.de to c/technology@lemmy.world
9 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

In which we once more delve into the world of user interface design.

Autumn 2023

Three years ago, I wrote a rant about the problems of our current UI paradigm. The complaints I voiced were hardly new or unique, neither was the text what I'd consider my best writing. It was, honestly, mostly a way to blow off steam. It seems I struck a nerve, though, because it's proven to be one of the most popular texts I've published here. For some time, I've thought about writing a follow-up, and a recent resurgence in the text's popularity prompted me to finally do so.

[…]

What were we talking about?

Usability, as defined by Wikipedia, is "the capacity of a system to provide a condition for its users to perform the tasks safely, effectively, and efficiently while enjoying the experience." Its relation to software is further specified: "In software engineering, usability is the degree to which a software can be used by specified consumers to achieve quantified objectives with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a quantified context of use." […]

In short, usability is the ease with which a predetermined task can be accomplished. Consequently, "It looks fresh" isn't usability; it's aesthetics. Likewise, the lack of a specific program feature isn't the same as being able to use it as easily, efficiently and safely as possible. […]

[…]

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[–] obbeel@lemmy.eco.br 15 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I think for the big apps like Whatsapp and Facebook it makes sense that the companies want to hide the features that give users control beyond the "standard" way of using the app in places where they cannot find it.

[–] 2xsaiko@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

This is a way broader phenomenon than just dark patterns or whatever. It exists in open-source as well which generally does not have any incentives to do this sort of stuff.

[–] DrunkenPirate@feddit.org 3 points 2 days ago

It’s all Marketing. In order to attract users with fancy looking interfaces, many usability rules get overriden.

This started already years ago with the new, sleak looking Windows 10. Internally the usability problems were known. But marketing pushed for the release date. This UX drama was costly. over 5 billion in the air for the launch alone. Ending in a blame.

[–] justOnePersistentKbinPlease@fedia.io 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

MS has been doing that little by little since windows XP. Keeping the useful control panel and system elements, but burying them under layers of "user-friendly" menus that offer little to no actual control.

[–] DrunkenPirate@feddit.org 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Even though it’s common to bully on Microsoft, it’s not true in this case. There have been many studies and user tests to find an understandable way for users to reach that massive functionality of the MS office software. The Ribbon interface was the best in those testings.

[–] justOnePersistentKbinPlease@fedia.io 0 points 2 days ago

Not talking about office. Talking about the control panel for windows itself.

E.G. network adapter settings. Used to be up front, now you have to dig for them.