Jeroen BaertMar 5

In a few months, I'm doing a talk about how computing has lots its way, and I'm looking for input.

What irks you about working with computers (be it laptops / desktops / smartphones / ...) today?

For example: "every software is a subscription now, and we own nothing."

Show threadJanneke

@jbaert
Microsoft managed to stall progress and keep users dumb and in the dark for 30 years.

Where the idea of GNU, with Emacs was to give even secretaries a tool that would enable and encourage them to start programming, now users have come to think and accept that if a program doesn't support something, it's too bad, not possible. Freedom has been taken away, as has empowerment. People use and think of a computer as if it's a fancy typewriter and don't realize it's a universal machine. No automation. Shoving and and aiming a mouse pointer.

Something like Firefox, for example, is "open source", but it's not free software to me. Although there's even JavaScript on board, there isn't even a minibuffer. The user cannot control the program, the program still controls the user.

Mar 5 at 9:54pmWeb
Show threadLinda Rose SmitMar 5
@janneke @jbaert so what to use iso firefox. Usable for nonnerds
Show threadJannekeMar 5

@lindarosesmit @jbaert
Yeah, I don't have an answer. There are several efforts to create a lisp-based browser that have a minibuffer, such as Nyxt...but it's not really there yet.

And when I say I'm a Lisp fan, I really mean modern lisp, ie, Scheme.

Show threadJannekeMar 5
@lindarosesmit @jbaert
So, good question; as the choice of browsers that we have that can do banking and taxes, the things most of us need to be able to do, is terrible.
Show threadLinda Rose SmitMar 5
@janneke @jbaert ill use firefox and wait. Enough challenges ahead still
Show threadReinout van SchouwenMar 5
@janneke
I've been browsing the web since before Netscape 1.0 and never once have I thought: I wish I had a minibuffer! (Whatever that is, probably my fault for never getting the hang of emacs, or vi for that matter.)
I do agree that scriptable apps are nice, but you'll have to accept that programming just is not for everyone.
@jbaert
Show threadJannekeMar 5

@reinouts @jbaert
A minibuffer for me is an explicit albeit GNU Emacs-centric metaphor for ultimate user empowerment.

All functions of the program are exposed to the user. All functions can be overrided by the user. Full freedom, full control, and empowerment.

I truly believe that programming will become an essential skill, like reading and writing.