Windows, you don't need glass, you need new UI controls!

Hi all,

So, I want to be completely honest up front. This is a vent post about Microsoft's decision to put so much focus on everything with out accomplish, what I believe, should be a primary goal for them if they are trying to capture more of the consumer audience with a user experience that matches (or at least gets close to) that of Mac OS X.

Now, looking back on previous versions of Windows, you see the same trend. Tab controls are ugly, buttons are ugly, forms are ugly... you get the idea. The Windows UI is a horrible sight when you have used (dare I say) even Ubuntu. If you have used Mac OS X, oh forget about it, you are nodding your head and probably laughing a bit just thinking about the comparison. And why? because there is no comparison.

So, what is the solution then? WPF is a great technology, don't misunderstand me. I use it and have been studying on it since I first heard mention of all the benefits it brings to the table. However, generally speaking programmers are not the best designers. You may be both, but the fact is that you are in the minority. So, does WPF help those companies that don't have a dedicated designer team that is working along side the programmers? Nope.

Companies that only have programmers in development resort to third-party controls. And let me tell you, there are tons out there. Out of the ones I have used, I can say they do a good job. However, this is just inherently wrong. Why is the Windows experience different PER application? Why does ever application have to look completely different? And more importantly, why do we need so many third-party companies making .NET controls?

Is it because...
A. Windows controls are limited in functionality for today's workload?
B. Windows controls are almost incapable of creating a nice interface on their own?

I don't know, I can't figure it out.

Now, lets think about the Apple side of things. When I am on the Mac, I feel like Mac OS X "holds" those applications and lets me use them when I want to. This is the result of developers taking time to layout controls correctly with the Apple GUI guidelines. That is a very small example, the main reason is because all of Apple's controls follow a very themed look and feel that flows throughout the entire OS and it's applications. Not only is it themed, it is just a beautiful look and feel. I don't actually have to do a lot of designing to have a great looking application, with only a few typical controls.

Developing for the Mac is such an enjoyable experience. Ugh, I am torn here guys. I am not saying I don't like Microsoft nor am I saying I don't like .NET.

The problem here is that Microsoft is investing so much into development tools to BE creative with, and that is great for the people that can use those tools to the fullest. In my situation, I can't do that. So what I am able to do looks like the ugly look that dates all the way back to blasted Windows 95/98. Okay okay, so todays buttons are a bit slicker and not just a square gray box, I get that.

The fact is that these tools do me no good in the actual presentation of standard applications, but the overall application can be greatly benefited by WPF. I am not talking on a functional level here, I love WPF and I am still learning more as I use it. I am just asking Microsoft to make some better, more up-to-date looking controls.

Any .NET developers out there understand where I am coming from? Am I the only one that thinks the Windows UI control kit needs a good face lift?

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Comment by Justin on July 7, 2009 at 6:11am: Yeah, I agree with all those points. I am in the same position of not having the time to really lay down elegant designs and a much better user experience, like I want to. I just got frustrated that with no custom tools or even a strong attempt at trying to put a lot of design into Mac apps, I can create something that looks great out-of-the-box thanks to the native LAF that OS X uses.

Granted, it doesn't help the functionality at all, but our society is becoming more visual every day. My only hopes are that when Microsoft does finally release a new UI, it can help with applications that don't have that extra time budget for lots of design time, they will still look great just thanks to the native LAF. Thanks for the comment!

Comment by Wandering I on July 6, 2009 at 6:59pm: I agree with you to an extent, but I also think that you have to look at the programming philosophy's between MS and Apple. Apples no idiot, they know that there software is what sells macs, and because they have limited third party support in that aspect I suspect that they can afford to design there software to look the way it does. I mean when was the last time you heard about a deadline for an up date to OSX? I mean a MAJOR update, such as the change from xp to vista, or hell even 2000 to xp. Don't get me wrong I like the way OSX looks but its looked about the same for years other than some enhancements, which can be implemented on practically any other OS if you look long enough. Apple looks at its software for its home users as its baby, who knows what would happen if third party developers really started programming for OSX, we might get a standardized set of controls just like we have with .net now.

MS on the other hand is all about wide spread acceptability. They use the same controls for the same reason that you don't change tires everytime you take a trip in your car, because you don't need to. The tools and controls they've put in place are there for compatibility for a wide spread audience, quite the opposite of Apples dare I say "niche" market. Granted, after the programmers are done the designers should be able to manipulate layouts and what not, but sometimes, Windows programmers/designers just dont have the time frame that Apple seems to have. Its a much more competitive market when theres about 30 of the same type of program that can do the same thing yours can, output the same result, etc. Programmers have to focus on features that their software has that the others don't. Most of the time, since most windows programmers are using the standard controls, this requires us to find our own niche, our diversion from the norm, our feature that the customer HAS to have that no one else has. I personally design my software to be easy to navigate, not pretty to look at. Is it because I'm not gifted in the creative sense? far from it. But it's because I'm writing my software for a much wider audience where being more creative with the layouts, or buttons, or menus, etc. might not be worth the risk. There have been many a functional window/linux program that is perfectly functional but just disgusting to look at. Its a double edged sword in a way, you want to create cutting edge software, but you also want to appeal to the mass audience you've gained....