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From: Anant Narayanan <anant@kix.in>
Subject: Re: [9fans] Colors and other fun
Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:12:53 +0530
To: Fans of the OS Plan 9 from Bell Labs <9fans@cse.psu.edu>
Cc: lucio@proxima.alt.za
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On 27-Jun-07, at 8:37 PM, Rob Pike wrote:
> It's more than that. Philosophically, I believe the designer's goal
> involves
> making decisions for the user. If the decisions are good, it's a
> good design
> and the user is content.  I do not believe it's the designer's goal
> to defer
> everything to the user.  As a bonus, making decisions early tends to
> simplify the design. This is why there are no stty modes or resource
> files in Plan 9.

That decision would depend entirely on whom you are making the
software for. You can't possibly decide for a large majority of the
people in the world, considering they are all different with
different perceptions of what works the best for them. On the other
hand, if you're making software for a bunch of your friends with
similar tastes, that approach would work (Wasn't that how Acme/Rio
started out anyway?)

That being said, overwhelming the user with all kinds of options is
harmful, no doubt. A ready-to-go application, but with the ability to
configure it all you like - for those who want customization - seems
to be a good balance. I see no harm in giving options to those who
need them while hiding them from those who don't.

--
Anant