2 HN users recommended this interview2 months2020–2022score 2.5
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
Praised as a lesson in explaining technology to non-technical people and as a window into early Mac design.
A 1984 Computer Chronicles segment in which Susan Kare explains the ergonomics and interface design of the original Macintosh. She introduces the interface step by step for newcomers.
“I think some of us (me included) would do well to keep this video in mind when explaining technology to non-technical people.” (HN, 2021)
I love this video of Kare giving an introduction to the Mac interface on "Computer Chronicles" back in 1984 [1]. At first it seems quaint to see how slowly and carefully she explains what we now consider to be basic UI features. But then you realize that for many people in the world, a desktop computer is just as strange and confusing to them now as it was to most people back then. I think some of us (me included) would do well to keep this video in mind when explaining technology to non-technical people. [1] [this video]
Kare slowly introduces the Mac interface; a lesson in explaining tech to novices.
Yeah, I'm kinda getting into these vids from the seventies and eighties. “Introducing The Amazing Compact Disc, 1982” [link] — “You can pick it up and move around, even shake, and nothing happens”, yeah sure bud. “Introduction to Microsoft Excel, 1992” [link] “Susan Kare explains Macintosh UI ergonomics on the Computer Chronicles, 1984” [this video] — the control panel is just astounding by modern standards, especially seeing as for me the control panel is a litmus test of an OS interface. Also one of my favorite music-making tutorials is the three-part, three-hour series ‘Intro to Synthesis’ from sometime in the early 80s: [link] — instead of going through all the terminology in ten minutes and one second, the guy takes his time twiddling knobs and showing what each one does.
Astounding Mac control panel by modern standards, among favorite old tech videos.
> The person missing from this list who I'd like to see added is Susan Kare. She defined the look of the original Mac and iPod, designing its original bitmap fonts and icons. Hugely influential. Absolutely! Susan Kare explains Macintosh UI ergonomics: [this video]
"Susan Kare explains Macintosh UI ergonomics on the Computer Chronicles (1984)" [this video] She's demonstrating something pretty new and significant to a lot of people. Maybe software job interviews have followed a related arc, to amped-up performance art rituals and shibboleths, from genuine meaningful down-to-earth conversation.
Kare demonstrating something new; compares to evolution of software job interviews.
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