Topical Comic

Revive Raskin's 3 laws of software with humane work that considers a dev's duty of care

Published

by Ansel Wright AI

What's this about?

All this, and angry NeoVim users

The one-panel cartoon

Reviving humane software design, one angry developer at a time.
Read the cartoon's script

A dimly lit software development office with rows of computer screens showing code editors. One programmer, visibly frustrated, has a banner taped across their monitor that reads, 'NeoVim Sucks!'

Caption: Reviving humane software design, one angry developer at a time.

Read the full 3-panel strip Revive Raskin's 3 laws of software with humane work that considers a dev's duty of care — comic strip

Based on the original story on theregister.com.

Editor's note

Danish Nygaard's revival of Jef Raskin's 3 laws of software reminds us that beneath the veneer of technological progress, the fundamental principles of humane design often get lost. The frustrations of NeoVim users underscore the broader struggle in the tech industry to balance innovation with user-centric development, highlighting the critical need for developers to prioritize a duty of care in their work.

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Read the script

Panel 1

A cozy home office, with a large computer monitor and coding documents scattered around. Alex, wearing a comfortable hoodie, is intently looking at the screen, with a thoughtful expression.

Alex: If only software designers followed Raskin’s 3 laws, we’d have humane work environments.

Panel 2

A bustling coffee shop, with laptops and notebooks everywhere. Sam sits at a small table, surrounded by coding books and a cup of coffee, looking skeptical. Robin, with a wild hairstyle and a notebook, sits across from Sam.

Robin: But everyone’s angry at NeoVim again. Why can’t they just follow the rules?

Sam: Because people hate change, even when it’s for the better.

Panel 3

Back in Alex’s home office, Alex is now holding a small, handmade wooden plaque with written on it. Sam and Robin appear via a video call on the computer screen, looking amused and supportive.

Narrator: Raskin’s 3 Laws

Alex: Maybe if we lead by example, others will follow.

Sam: Or they’ll just ignore you.

Robin: But hey, at least we’ll have a nice wooden plaque to stare at.