The gentle software manifesto

UI, not UX

UX usually means that someone wants to impart a certain experience on you.

UI means an interface to a tool or service, to use as you will.

Software doesn't need to mandate an experience.

It shouldn't be in the way to have your own experience with it.

All parts of software, be it graphics, sound, code, should create meaning or joy.

An icon can be informative and just nice, but it's not strictly necessary.

A button should clearly and with conviction state what it does, in plain text.

Effects of actions should be ovious and reversible.

Applies to all of UI, be it actionable or informative.

Usually you do need some scaffolding for layout and such, but strictly speaking divs and spans are not necessary.

Software is like a liquid and a subscription is the tap we drink it from.

A pipe dream I know, but software should be an artifact you make and then it exists.

I make software, you hold on to it, you make something with it.

The software is mine but what you made is yours to keep and give.

You pay me, I give you new software and agency with it in proportion.