Marco.org - Overdoing the interface metaphor →
Functionally, it’s almost a calculator. But it’s also almost a spreadsheet and almost a list pad. By not constraining its design to that of a common physical object, it’s able to be and do much more than anything in the physical world ever could.
Marco raises some good arguments against the idea that mimicking real world objects in UI design is not always the right answer. In fact, it can also lead to replicating all of the problems inherent in the device you are attempting to replicate.
That said, he is also pretty honest about what this really is – another chance to highlight Soulver. Soulver is a fantastic app I have mentioned only in passing before that is basically a smart scratchpad for doing calculations in near natural language.
Both points are sound ones though and another excellent piece of insight from Marco. The world would be a much better place if all of us put the amount of thought into the things we produce that he does.
Notes:
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Pointed observations on...calculator metaphor...essentially...
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