GUIs vs TUIs.

Originally, all computers were based on text based interfaces. The technology for advanced graphic user interfaces just didn’t exist yet. However, using text based interfaces has a much steeper learning curve then graphical user interfaces. Because of this, it is no surprise that graphical user interfaces have almost completely taken over. Everyone loves nice graphics. They allow users to see things easily and intuitively. Clicking to the desktop, then clicking “new folder,” then clicking again and typing in a name for the folder makes much more sense to new users than “mkdir ~/Desktop/myNewFolderName”. They effectively do the same thing, and the graphical approach definitely looks nicer. So why move back to the 80s and do it the old way? For most people, I can’t think of any answers. However, for pro users who care about their workflow and efficiency, the text based approach is much faster. In general, the fastest way to do anything on a computer is to glue your hands to the keyboard and never reach for a mouse. For people who know what they are doing, this saves lots of time. 

Most users aren’t that kind of consumer, however. So it makes complete sense for companies to design their products mostly catering to the more intuitive and nice looking, but less optimized, ways of interfacing with the technology. What this leads to is products that are completely “pro-user focused” and products that are designed completely for more casual users. I have no problem with applications that do the latter, although I’ll never use them (other than to help family members who don’t know what they are doing), they don’t effect me. What does annoy me is when the former class of products lacks the energy and focus that goes into the design of the other class of products. Well thought out products are always nicer than those which are just thrown together. Technology needs to have equal focus on functionality and usability.