> But it also was pretty awesome to have an almost latency-free experience (and good information design, making efficient use of my screen).
It's funny. I think most people would agree that the experience you described isn't diametrically opposed to 'good design,' and in fact have the same goals.
But, it seems like the modern conception of 'good design' has effectively been reduced to pretty things and interface design. Even if designers wouldn't say that if you asked.
> that the experience you described isn't diametrically opposed to 'good design,'
Yup. The more obsessed we get about "pixel-perfect" interactions, the more insufficient native browser behavior becomes, to the point where e.g. Flipboard just throws it all away and creates a new UI layer using <canvas>. But that's probably not what either of us would call "good design."
It's funny. I think most people would agree that the experience you described isn't diametrically opposed to 'good design,' and in fact have the same goals.
But, it seems like the modern conception of 'good design' has effectively been reduced to pretty things and interface design. Even if designers wouldn't say that if you asked.