Linked List: July 26, 2019

Friday, 26 July 2019

‘Fast Software, the Best Software’ 

Craig Mod:

I love fast software. That is, software speedy both in function and interface. Software with minimal to no lag between wanting to activate or manipulate something and the thing happening. Lightness.

Software that’s speedy usually means it’s focused. Like a good tool, it often means that it’s simple, but that’s not necessarily true. Speed in software is probably the most valuable, least valued asset. To me, speedy software is the difference between an application smoothly integrating into your life, and one called upon with great reluctance. Fastness in software is like great margins in a book — makes you smile without necessarily knowing why.

I love this essay so much I wish I could kiss it. One of the confounding aspects of software today is that our computers are literally hundreds — maybe even a thousand — times faster than the ones we used 20 years ago, but some simple tasks take longer now than they did then. Opening the Web Export dialog in Photoshop, for example.

Renato Mariotti: ‘Actually, Robert Mueller Was Awesome’ 

Renato Mariotti, writing at Politico:

Tasked with overseeing the most high-profile investigation of our time, Mueller managed to complete the investigation without appearing to have a partisan agenda, with both sides embracing him at times. Even Trump said he acted “honorably” — before he turned on Mueller as “conflicted” and partisan — and touted “total exoneration” soon after Mueller concluded his work. Mueller’s down-the-middle, leak-free handling of the high-stakes investigation was an object lesson in professionalism.

And Wednesday’s performance was no different.

This jibes with my take almost perfectly.

See also: Preet Bharara:

Bob Mueller today was decent, honest, humble, measured, patriotic, apolitical and above the fray. He returned none of the bile the president and others have heaped on him. Whatever you thought of his performance, he is far better than his critics and remains an American hero.