Notices by jjg (jjg@sunbeam.city), page 7

@rekh127 interesting; you disagree with critical thinking, or something else?

@rekh127 @alxd @ekaitz_zarraga

Agreed.

@rekh127 potentially, I guess it depends on how you define/measure "smart".

Basic critical thinking would be a good start. :)

@thatcosmonaut most smart people like trains.

Any of you know of an off-the-shelf (can be a kit) ESP8266-on-a-usb-stick sort of thing? (something like this but with an ESP instead of an attiny):

https://www.tindie.com/products/digistump/digispark-the-tiny-arduino-enabled-usb-board/

I can hack something together but I figured I'd see what was on the market first 🙂

@alxd @vfrmedia @ekaitz_zarraga @red

There’s that word “code”. That word makes programming sound mysterious or magical. When you program a coffeemaker we don’t call it coding.

I want people to use tools that are optimized for the tasks they need to do, and that work better the more they use them.

If you need a general-purpose computer, then you need to be able to program it.

*if*

TFW you ordered 12v fans and realize you only have a 5v supply...

@vfrmedia @uint8_t @alxd @ekaitz_zarraga @red

This is a subject I come back to often :)

For sure contemporary O/S, UI and application patterns may be too complex now for non-professionals to program, but I think that’s proof that the design of these components is the problem.

Like most things the software we have today was built to benefit the builder, not the owner.

@alxd @ekaitz_zarraga @red @vfrmedia

I actually have a problem with the “regular user” divide. I think that it creates an artificial boundary that prevents people from getting the most out of their computers by convincing them that programming is something that only professionals can do.

This false dichotomy enables some of the worst aspects of software “industry”, IMHO.

@alxd @ekaitz_zarraga @red @vfrmedia

That positioning seems strange to me. I’m not forcing anyone to use anything I design, and I’m not doing anything to eliminate their ability to choose something else, so I’m not sure how all of this applies?

@aral what’s weird to me is that on most sites like this you can keep using the site without clicking “ok”; does that imply that they don’t use cookies/etc. until you click OK 🤔

@ekaitz_zarraga @red @alxd @vfrmedia

Some context might help :)

As someone who designs and builds computers, I’ve taken it for granted that the computers I design should follow suit in attempting to be “user friendly” (if not “intuitive“); however I’m questioning the wisdom of this practice in light of where others goal have produced.

If I’m designing something new, it might actually be *better* if not designed to be “easy”?

@alxd I’m not saying that all computers should be hard to use, just that there might be value in creating a new machine that doesn’t sacrifice capability for ease of use, and rewards people who are interested and willing to learn how to use it.

This would alienate some (most?) people for sure, but there’s already plenty of options available that go the other way.

We’ve seen where making computers “easier” has gotten us, maybe it’s time for harder?

What if you had to be smart to use a computer...🤔

@thegibson @resist__berlin @Famicoman

Damn, I’ve longed to (re)read me some MONDO2k.

I’m excited about the potential to explore “alternate realities” for tech instead of the default reality delivered by the “tech industry”.

Typing on my matte black sprayed VIC-20, I looked forward to a future where computers liberated instead of enslaved us. As an old man, I’m hoping to put us back on that track.