Form, Function, and Frustration: Why Developers Need to Find Balance

As someone that likes a balance between form and function, I find that in software developers tend to prioritize one over the other, which as a user tends to be quite infuriating at times.

On one hand, you get apps that are over designed. Yes, the look good but using is a drag because so much effort was put on the looks that usability goes down the drain. On the other hand, some apps are so focused are so set on being funcional, that while they are they look really bad.

Personally, I prefer when there is a balance. Not every app will look great at the end, but that doesn't mean that they the can't be made to look the best they can. The end use should be always be kept in mind, and be designed around it. The way it looks is just as important as the way it works, specially when people will interact with the app constantly during long periods of time. How the user feels when they use an app, is just as important as how they use the app.

In a way, the app should allow the user to work with as little friction from the app itself. While some apps might need to have features that lock certain users from doing certain thing, they should make it so in a way that the design itself doesn't allow them to do those functions. For example, if doing something requires a button, or a link, don't just grey it out simply don't show it to the users that don't require, or have permission, to use that function.

If possible, allow each user to set they app configuration to their liking. Things like color come to mind, no need to give user to much. Just enough to make the app more friendly to each user as possible. Modern programing languages come with what is needed to make it happen, use those tools to give the users a better experience using your app. Users have come to expect a level of customization to make almost every aspect of their computer, and apps, to fin the user needs.

I hope that the balance between form and function in apps comes sooner. 

A Week on Windows 11 Reaffirmed My Choice: Linux Mint.

After using Windows 11 on a daily basis for a week at work, I must say that aesthetically is better than Windows 10, but much else. I use Firefox as my main browser, and on Windows 11 seem to have some issues, which seem to be more on trying to make me to move to Edge than on Firefox itself, since Thunderbird works well.

Since I use my laptop, which runs Linux Mint, besides the desktop at work it makes it easy to see why staying on Linux Mint is by far the better choice for me. All the software I need for work is available on Linux Mint, and it works just as well. The only sour point at the moment is the printer, but because Linux Mint can't make use of the printers we have, but of implementation of the drivers the IT department choose to make. Not to mentions that the hardware specs of my laptop are quite better then the specs of the desktop the IT department issued me.

Not only that, I'm quite certain that if Linux Mint was installed on desktop, it would run a lot better that it does with Windows 11. And I mean installing the latest version of Linux Mint, which at the time of writing is Linux Mint 22.2 Zara.

And with more services, and apps, moving to the cloud, the OS you got installed becomes less relevant to run those services and apps. Installing and using web apps, meaning you just need a browser that supports the web app to use it. And since most the time it means using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, can be installed not only on Linux Mint, but most of the major Linux distros, jumping to Linux is easier.

On Linux Mint you can create web apps easily, so opening the you can enter directly to the web app without even having to open the browser it self. Web apps can be created to isolate the app from the onset, strengthening the security of the app.

As a Linux Mint user, I can say that moving away from Windows is becoming a real option. And Linux Mint is one of many distros to choose from.

El Rincón Cálido: (The Warm Corner) – Focuses on coziness and a dedicated workspace nook.

When I came across Maisy Leigh on YouTube, and her CozyLeigh Studios webpage, I must admit I got thinking about starting a similar studio in Guadalajara.

Though I would rather target Android devices, create wallpapers and icon sets for Linux Mint(and other Ubuntu based distros),  and a style targeting a more Latin American style. Still cozy, and relaxing, but that speaks a bit more to Latin tastes. I still see her, and family, style quite great. I do find them inspiring, yet I do so a space of a more Latin American interpretation of coziness and focused environment.

Besides, personally I find dark academia and mid-century modern design cues more cozy. I'd even get some minimalist cues in, just not to over saturate certain areas.

Using 3D printing seems to be the best way to start, a design studio that is both close to our target costumer base, and flexible enough to follow what those costumer want. I might look into mass production for some of the items, while other can stay on the relatively low production of 3D printers. Things like limited edition items, some made to order ones, or items that sell well enough but a mass production run doesn't make sense.

What makes this more tempting, is that most of decor and gadgets for home and work office feel either too formal or too gamer for me. Yes, I want items that allow me to feel more relaxed and focused, but not to the point that they seem somewhat out of place in an office.

Well, I better keep looking into  it. If you want to help create a design studio like that, get in touch with me.

Gaming on Linux Has Arrived: Sword of Convallaria and the Proton Revolution

I just finished playing Sword of Convallaria, and I really enjoyed the game. It is a turned based RPG. and it is quite good if you like this kind genre of video game, specially since it is free to play.

To be honest, I didn't expect it to be so good. The art, music, game play, all comes together in a game that is both challenging and fun to play. The art is what cached my eye the most, but the whole game is one of those games that is worth your time. Specially if you are a casual gamer, since the barrier to entry is low and it pays off quite well.

It has become one of my favorite games, and one great way to enter the gaming scene on Linux. The other game I would recommend to people starting their gaming journey, specially on Linux, would be Palia. Both games are great games, whether you want something casual, or something a bit more challenging.

Both games show that gaming on Linux has great potential. it might be the push for me to buy a couple of games I've been eyeing on Steam for some quite time now. Not only that, I can now say that gaming on Linux has arrived and actually promote Linux with fellow gamers.

In some ways, I feel vindicated for making the jump to Linux and holding as long as I have. I knew Steam was making progress with compatibility on Linux, but didn't expect it to be get so good. So much so, that I might actually go for a Steam Deck, or compatible handheld, since I want to be able to play games in not only on my laptop.

Life is getting better for gamers who use Linux. What more, is ever more welcoming for a bigger audience.

15 Years Strong: Why I'm Never Going Back to Windows (and Why You Don't Have To)

Since I made the jump to Linux about 15 years ago, I haven't looked back to using Windows. While I use Windows at work, the more I use it the more I prefer to use Linux.

To be honest, the only thing I had to give up when I started using Linux was gaming. At the time, gaming on Linux wasn't really an option. Yet, since about 2020 gaming on Linux has gotten better using Steam. It is not perfect, and not all games work on Linux. But, more of 80% of the Steam video game library is now playable on Linux, which makes Linux an option at least for casual gamers.

On the professional side off things, not all apps on Windows run on Linux. But, a growing number of apps getting a Linux option, or there is an alternative for apps that don't run Linux. Not all are perfect, but at least there are options to tryout if you are interested in making the jump. Personally, at work the app we use runs on a remote server, so using Remmina I can log in and work without much problem. Besides printing, which is not a problem of running a remote desktop, but more of a policy of our provider that does not allow to run printers on the server itself.

While I know not everyone can make the jump to Linux, it is a fact that most people can make the jump. The only two limiting factors are if your hardware can run Linux, and if all your apps are on Linux or have an option to jump to. And to be honest, most computers configs can run Linux.

The three Linux distros I recommend are Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Pop_OS. The three of them fit more use cases, and have the apps most people use out of the box. And if those apps aren't installed out of the box, they are easily installed using the app stores that come with them. Most importantly, the app stores make using the terminal optional for the most popular apps.

I do root for some Linux distros being more user friendly, they make the jump of more people to Linux possible. After that, some user will advance to more complex distros. But, for that to happen we need more people using Linux.

 

The New Third Place: Why Remote Workers Need Beer Bars (and Not Just Coffee Shops)

As someone who likes to work away from my desk at home, or at the office, just change pase and environment, coffee shops are a great option. Yet, from time to time I'd like to see beer bars as an option too, since there sometimes where I don't want to have caffeine, and low alcohol beers help me to wind down and relax.

There is also the fact that the atmosphere at both places are quite different, even if both place were geared toward letting people work. Working while enjoining a coffee is quite different from doing so with a beer. With the coffee you want to focus more, and work in a faster pase. While with a beer one wants to relax, and take a wider view of things.

In some ways, while both are a means to an end, how you get to that end is different. Personally, I do feel I prefer coffee shops when I want to focus more in a personal level, while in a beer bar I want to collaborate more or don't mind being interrupted. Yet I love to work at both places since they allow me to change perspectives. 

I'd love to see more beer bars that are more welcoming to workers that want to sip a beer, or two, while working. No matter if its office work, or creative work, the point is give us who want another option to find inspiration. Not everyone wants to go to coffee shops, and beer bars are quite the option we are looking for. We even see beer something to enjoy while collaborating  with others, while creating things.

Low alcohol, even 0% percent ones, are perfect when you just want to have a cold beverage while trying to figure things out. At least, I've found it works for me.

Yet, I haven't found the perfect one for me. I've some ideas of what I'd to see, like Wi-Fi, easy access to outlets for when you need to charge your laptop or smartphone, and tables and chair that are comfortable to work on for an hour or two. I'd even like to see places where small groups of people can sit down to collaborate.

People don't always want so go to bars to watch sports or celebrate, sometimes we just want to relax or to focus on things we want to solve.

The Admin Advantage: Productivity Hacks and Gear for Business Workflows

While I like watching every day carry and desktop setups, I've found that most tend setups tend to be geared to gaming, programmers, and creators. For someone who main job is an office one and it feels that finding things that would be more useful for my everyday life a bit hard

Not get me wrong, I've found some things that have proven useful, or I'd like to include in my desktop setup, or everyday carry. Things I found, have been a good mechanical keyboard, a mouse, mouse mat, and Bluetooth in-ear headphones. I wouldn't even started to look for them if I haven't seen them on a setup. And the Bluetooth in-ear headphones have been a game changer for my everyday carry.

Even I've gotten a good idea for the backpacks I use, since I got to see different sizes of backpacks and get a better idea of the one that better fits my needs.

The one thing I still want to incorporate, is a standing desk. Sitting down does a number on my knees, and standing helps me to focus, or to feel a bit calmer when I get restless. Going from sitting to standing, or vice versa, really helps me to change my mindset at the moment.

Yet, there are also things I don't really care about like a microphone, or camera sets. I don't have a need for them, and the camera on my smartphone is more that good enough for my needs. I don't that many remote meetings, and most of my work related communications are mainly made in person, email, Whats app, and via phone call from time to time.

As such, I'd like to see more set ups, and work flows, focused more on business office work. Things on how to better manage ERP software, file management, and other things on the administrative side of things.

I do believe that there is a lack of people sharing how they make their administrative work better, and share hacks and ideas with others.