On 2024-12-26, <to...@tuxteam.de> <to...@tuxteam.de> wrote: > > On Wed, Dec 25, 2024 at 10:17:02PM -0500, Greg Wooledge wrote: > > [...] > >> The idea that your application should do its own window management >> because the user's chosen WM may differ from what you, the developer, >> wanted is utter hubris. Especially when you can't even get it to >> work the way you thought it should. > > It's not hubris. It's the idea that public space, your computer, your > eyeballs, your brain (in roughly that order) belong to surveillance > capitalism (a malign mutation of the already malign ad industry). > > It's the "new frontier" [1] of capitalist accumulation. Robbery, as > it has always been. > > Merry XMas.
The tension between application-driven window management and user-driven window management is a microcosm of broader debates about control, autonomy, and the influence of external forces in our digital lives. >From a User Perspective: The computer and its interface are personal tools, tailored to the individual's preferences and workflows. Imposing application-specific behavior can feel like an intrusion, particularly when it disrupts or overrides those workflows. The analogy to public and personal spaces is apt: just as urban planning influences how people navigate physical spaces, the design of software and its interaction with operating systems dictates how users navigate digital spaces. From a Developer Perspective: The developer's intent often stems from wanting to deliver a cohesive experience. They might envision their application functioning in a particular way that requires control over window placement, size, or other behaviors. However, this desire can veer into hubris if it disregards the diversity of user environments and expectations. The Broader Context: Surveillance capitalism, as mentioned, amplifies these tensions. If applications are designed not primarily for the user's benefit but for extracting data, controlling the interface becomes a means to that end. This can manifest as aggressive notifications, forced attention, or behavior that prioritizes engagement metrics over user agency. A Balance to Strike: Respect for User Agency: Software should respect the user's environment, adhering to the conventions and behaviors of their chosen window manager or desktop environment. Customizability: Allow users to opt into enhanced behaviors if they align with their needs, but never force them. Transparency and Privacy: Application behavior should be clear, and its intentions (including data usage) should be upfront, giving users confidence in its purpose. In short, well-designed software empowers the user rather than dictating terms, contributing to a healthier digital ecosystem.
