The hottest User Experience Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Get your users into the habit of upgrading

CommandBlogue • 0 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
💼 Business User Experience
  1. Make it easy for users to take actions like signing up or upgrading. The simpler it is, the more likely they are to do it.
  2. Using a consistent button for similar actions helps users form good habits. They will associate that button with success and keep using it.
  3. Be careful with what you make easy to do. Some actions, like deleting data, should have extra steps to prevent mistakes.

The easiest way to fix navigation

CommandBlogue • 0 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Always have back and forward buttons in apps to help users navigate easily. This small change can make a big difference.
  2. Users should not need to understand the whole site layout to find their way around. It’s key for new users to feel confident while using the app.
  3. Making users feel smart and comfortable boosts their overall experience. If they don’t feel lost, they’re more likely to stick around.

How to make settings less frustrating

CommandBlogue • 0 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Users often struggle to find the right settings because the organization of options can be confusing. Labels need to be clear so users know exactly where to look.
  2. A good solution is to show users what settings are already active. This helps them understand their current options without clicking through multiple menus.
  3. Reducing the number of choices and distractions can help users feel less overwhelmed. A simple display of enabled settings can lead to a smoother experience.

How Miro collects more relevant emails from signup

CommandBlogue • 0 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
💼 Business User Experience
  1. Miro improves email sign-up by changing how they ask for work emails. They highlight a benefit, saying it helps separate work and life, which makes users more willing to share their emails.
  2. Instead of just asking for an email, it’s better to explain why it's good for the user. This motivation helps users feel more positive about the action you want them to take.
  3. Always make sure the benefit you mention is real. If users find out it's not true, they won't trust you again.

Welcome and thank you!

Elizabeth Laraki • 0 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🪑 Design User Experience
  1. The newsletter will include design insights and practical tips from the author's experience in major tech companies.
  2. Content will touch on various topics, including stories and advice about design, crypto, and AI.
  3. The author plans to send newsletters periodically, focusing on quality over frequency, and welcomes feedback for future topics.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Public roadmap 🗺️

André Casal's Substack • 0 implied HN points • 30 Aug 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Gathering customer feedback is important. It's a way to show that you care about their experience and want to help them with any issues.
  2. Adding a feature voting system can help prioritize what customers want. This engagement makes the roadmap more interactive and customer-focused.
  3. Building a community for discussion on product features can enhance user involvement. It allows users to share their thoughts and connect with others interested in the same product.

Getting LaunchFast on the hands of devs ♥️

André Casal's Substack • 0 implied HN points • 09 Aug 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Getting user feedback is really important. Talking to developers showed what needs to be improved in the product.
  2. The homepage of the app now has clear instructions for users. This makes it easier for new customers to understand how to use the product right away.
  3. Next steps include improving the landing page and preparing for a launch on Product Hunt. There’s a lot to work on to make the product better!

A great first impression ♥️

André Casal's Substack • 0 implied HN points • 03 Aug 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. The CLI should create a positive first impression for users. It's important that the first interaction feels welcoming and easy to use.
  2. Gathering feedback on the CLI is vital. Receiving suggestions from users can help improve the experience.
  3. Taking breaks and resting, even on workdays, is essential for keeping energy levels up. It's okay to take it easy sometimes.

A beautiful CLI experience ♥️

André Casal's Substack • 0 implied HN points • 02 Aug 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. The landing page for LaunchFast has been improved with more info on benefits and a new design. This will help visitors understand why they should use the product.
  2. An update to the CLI makes it easier to use by adding a flag that skips a step for users. This change makes starting the app even simpler for customers.
  3. The developer plans to keep building on customer feedback and is focused on refining the product to create better experiences for users in the future.

BulkUnsubscribe: Unsubscribe from all marketing emails in 1-click

aspiring.dev • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jun 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. You can now easily unsubscribe from a lot of marketing emails in just one click. This is possible with a new standard by Gmail and Yahoo that lets emails include an 'Unsubscribe' button.
  2. There are different methods to unsubscribe, like sending an email, clicking a link, or using a 'one-click' option that works automatically. The 'one-click' method is the easiest and most efficient.
  3. A tool is being developed to automate the unsubscribe process by checking your emails and removing you from unwanted mailing lists, making it a lot simpler to manage your inbox.

[in case you missed it] Data Science Weekly - Issue 467

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 06 Nov 22
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Startups using large language models should focus on improving user experience, as it's currently their biggest hurdle, not the data or algorithms.
  2. Data science notebooks have evolved significantly since they were first created, and there are predictions for how they'll continue to develop in the future.
  3. OpenAI is supporting new AI startups by offering $1 million each and early access to their systems, which could help boost innovation in the field.

S2 E1: Solving Self-Serve Analytics

CAUSL Effect • 0 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Self-serve analytics lets non-analysts access and analyze data without always needing help from an analytics team. This can help speed up decision-making and reduce bottlenecks.
  2. The goal is to create tools and provide education for everyday users so they can do their own analytics easily. Training and tutorials will be essential to help users become comfortable with these tools.
  3. The focus is on keeping users engaged and motivated to use self-serve analytics. Understanding what stops people from doing analytics themselves is key to improving the program.

Design is Love

Design is Love • 0 implied HN points • 29 Aug 22
🪑 Design User Experience
  1. Design is a form of love and expression. It allows us to show how we feel and what we care about.
  2. We have the ability to redesign everything around us. This power to create unique things comes from within us.
  3. It's important to follow our own vision and not let society dictate our choices. We should focus on doing what we truly love.

When Things Take Shape

polymathematics • 0 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. When you really connect with your ideas, it feels like everything just clicks into place. You can almost feel that flow and energy driving you forward.
  2. The new version of Cubicle has been made simpler and prettier, focusing on ease of use. It combines important tools into one place to help you stay organized without hassle.
  3. Having a manageable tool like Cubicle can improve how you work, making tasks feel less overwhelming. Many users find they get a lot more done with the right approach.

Why progressive enhancement

Andrew's Substack • 0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Progressive enhancement means creating websites that work well without JavaScript first, and then adding more features for those who do have it. This approach helps make sites more accessible for everyone.
  2. Using native HTML elements in progressive enhancement leads to simpler code, which means less client-side state management and easier overall development.
  3. It often results in better performance since the browser handles more tasks. Less JavaScript code can lead to faster and more focused functionality in applications.

HN blogs - 10/10/24

HackerNews blogs newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Marketing software to conservatives can be tricky due to different values and beliefs. It's important to understand your audience's mindset.
  2. Technical writing can open up job opportunities and increase income. It's a valuable skill that many people overlook.
  3. Using userscripts can help in translating content quickly. This is useful for making information accessible to a wider audience.

Integrations, Part II

Pine • 0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Pine now uses a standardized OAuth process for creating public integrations. This makes it easier for developers to connect their applications.
  2. The integration process involves creating an app, redirecting users to Pine's authorization URL, and then exchanging an authorization code for an access token.
  3. There will be one more update about integrations soon, after which development will focus on improving the core application and sharing new research ideas.

Integrations, Part I

Pine • 0 implied HN points • 20 Aug 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Pine now allows users to create custom integrations using its API. This means you can make your own tools and scripts that work with Pine.
  2. The integration process involves two main steps: creating an integration and installing it in your workspace. Both steps can be done easily in the app's settings.
  3. There's an NPM library available to help you use these integrations to access and modify your data from Pine, making it more flexible for developers.

AI-suggested connections

Pine • 0 implied HN points • 07 May 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Connections between cards now have their own tab, making them easier to find and use. You can create these connections by searching or selecting suggested cards.
  2. You can add related cards either by clicking a plus icon or by accepting suggestions that pop up. This makes it more straightforward to connect your ideas over time.
  3. After reviewing your first card, the system will start suggesting related cards. Each card connected will also get a score boost, helping you keep track of your progress.

Deck Social Previews

Pine • 0 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Decks are now published on a new sub-domain, which helps separate the content for better organization.
  2. This change leads to faster loading times and better previews when sharing decks on social media.
  3. They're also working on allowing secure uploads for images and files, which will be explained more next week.

Publishing Decks

Pine • 0 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. You can now publish your spaced repetition decks online by following a few simple steps. Just navigate to your deck and toggle the share option.
  2. Before sharing, you can customize the theme and color to make it look good for visitors. There's also an option to password-protect private decks.
  3. Recent updates improved notifications and fixed bugs, making the user experience smoother and more efficient. Now, pushed notifications will properly alert you when you have cards ready for review.

My experience building an app entirely via an LLM

Talking to Computers: The Email • 0 implied HN points • 14 Aug 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Using AI tools like Claude can speed up app development, especially for small coding tasks. But, it's not perfect and sometimes leads to unexpected issues.
  2. Designing the app can be tough, as AI might not help much with styling. You might end up doing more work to fix design flaws after the initial code is generated.
  3. Even when using an AI, having some coding knowledge is important. You still need to understand what changes to make and how to fix problems that come up.

Handling Typos to Increase Speed to Success

Talking to Computers: The Email • 0 implied HN points • 29 May 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Handling typos in search helps users find what they want faster, even if they misspell words. It makes the search experience easier for people who are not perfect spellers.
  2. Search engines use techniques like Levenshtein distance to manage typos, so they rank search results based on how closely they match users' misspelled queries.
  3. Contextual typo tolerance improves search results by considering the meaning behind the words, which is often missing in smaller e-commerce sites. This way, users get more relevant suggestions rather than just similar-looking words.

Why speed should be your first priority

Talking to Computers: The Email • 0 implied HN points • 15 May 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Prioritize speeding up processes to save users time. When making choices, consider what helps users get what they need faster.
  2. Saving time is beneficial for businesses, like e-commerce and streaming services, as it leads to more sales and viewings.
  3. Look at projects through the lens of speed and efficiency. Evaluate how your features help users save time and adjust priorities accordingly.

The Optimal Amount of Irrelevant Search Results is Non-Zero

Talking to Computers: The Email • 0 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Sometimes, it's okay to have a few irrelevant search results mixed in with the good ones. This balance can help show more options, even if some aren't what you wanted.
  2. Businesses often choose to include a small number of unrelated items in search results. This helps them find a middle ground between showing only perfect matches and potentially missing out on useful items.
  3. In systems like AI, having occasional mistakes or 'hallucinations' can spark creativity. It's about finding the right balance that works for the situation.

Book Review: AI-Powered Search

Talking to Computers: The Email • 0 implied HN points • 08 Apr 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. AI is changing how search works, moving towards using machine learning to improve results based on user feedback and interactions. This means less manual work and more personalized, efficient searches.
  2. Natural language processing helps search engines understand context and synonyms, making it easier to find relevant information. Understanding language structure allows for better handling of queries.
  3. Learning to rank is a powerful tool for improving search results based on user behavior, but it needs quality data to be effective. Without the right data, the improvements may not be as impactful as expected.

A simple suggestion to improve search UX

Talking to Computers: The Email • 0 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Search suggestions help users type less and avoid mistakes, which is especially important on mobile devices. Fewer keystrokes lead to faster and more successful searches.
  2. Contextual suggestions can guide users to better queries, showing them related products or searches when they type. This can help them find what they actually want more easily.
  3. E-commerce websites, especially for groceries, benefit from these smart suggestions to help shoppers buy more items at once. It’s a unique approach that supports the way people shop for multiple products.

Three lines that define search

Talking to Computers: The Email • 0 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Users often want to find information with the least amount of actions. A well-designed interface can let them get what they need in just one action, like typing a query.
  2. The difference between finding and discovery is important. Finding is when users know what they want and search for it, while discovery is about stumbling upon things they didn't even know they wanted.
  3. Precision and recall are two key ideas in search results. Precision means showing only the most relevant results, while recall means showing all relevant results, even if some are less relevant.

Using Redirects for Broad Search Terms

Talking to Computers: The Email • 0 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business User Experience
  1. Redirects can help handle broad search queries better by sending users to optimized category pages instead of generic search results. This helps manage the overwhelming number of options users face.
  2. Using a smart layout with options for refining searches can improve user experience. It helps guide shoppers to what they're truly looking for rather than just presenting them with endless choices.
  3. A hybrid approach that combines category redirects with engaging banners might be more effective. This way, it keeps essential information visible and caters to user needs without overwhelming them.

Enable everyone to get things done

Moving the needle! 🚀 • 0 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Questmate helps users set up 'Quests' for daily tasks. These are like checklists that can guide anyone on what to do next.
  2. The app is designed to be user-friendly and accessible for all. It focuses on making navigation and usability simple for everyone.
  3. You can reward family or team members for completing tasks. This might include things like gift cards or extra playtime on consoles.

Designer and PM portfolios are all wrong

A Better Designed World • 0 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🪑 Design User Experience
  1. Portfolios should act like sales pitches, showing off your best work first. Starting with the end results captures attention, instead of leading with process details.
  2. Using the inverted pyramid approach means telling a clear story of who you worked with, what you accomplished, and why it matters. This way, people can easily understand your impact.
  3. Focus on marketing yourself effectively. It's about showing potential employers what makes you valuable, rather than getting lost in the details of your process.

Sort Product Update – August 2024

Database Engineering by Sort • 0 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Users can now link to specific rows in their database and create issues directly from them. This makes navigating and managing data much easier.
  2. There's a new feature that allows users to submit change requests smoothly, along with many UX improvements for a better experience.
  3. A new public database enables users to query Zillow listings in San Francisco using SQL, providing updated and useful data for housing insights.

How will trydeepwork evolve?

trydeepwork • 0 implied HN points • 05 May 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. trydeepwork started as a personal project and has grown to help thousands of users daily. It's surprising how something initially just for one person became so useful for many.
  2. The focus is on keeping the tool simple and improving existing features rather than adding unnecessary complexity. It's important to refine what already works well.
  3. The new pricing model offers lifetime access for a one-time payment, making it affordable. Paying for it now means supporting ongoing improvements to the tool.

🐿️ Shattered Software - The Insanely Profitable Tech Newsletter

Squirrel Squadron Substack • 0 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Balkanization refers to splitting a region into smaller, competing parts, which can cause issues. In tech, dividing teams can create confusion and inconsistency.
  2. When tech teams work independently with different assumptions, it can lead to problems like bugs and compatibility issues. Teams should ideally work together to maintain a unified product.
  3. Maintaining a single product vision is crucial, so it's important to ensure that all teams align on the same goals and methods. This helps prevent issues down the line.

Deliverable authentication as a useful pattern

ciamweekly • 0 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Some accounts don't need strong security, so using email or phone for login is enough. It's easy for users who only want to use something once or rarely.
  2. Many people prefer quick login methods, like magic links or one-time codes, instead of complicated passwords. This reduces hassle and makes using apps simpler.
  3. Removing barriers to access can benefit both users and companies. When login is easier, users are more likely to engage with the app.

Season 4 - Newsletter 06 —> Going from 0 to 0.1 in Product in an AI world

Product Hustle Stack Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Building an app using AI can feel easy with all the tools available, but it's crucial to clearly define the problem you want to solve before jumping in. If you focus too much on creating, you might miss the real issue that needs addressing.
  2. Always aim for that 'Aha' moment for users while developing your product. If it doesn't bring joy or clarity to them, it may be worth going back to the drawing board and seeking honest feedback.
  3. Developing a product can be emotionally challenging. Recognizing your feelings during the process is important for navigating both the technical and personal hurdles that come with entrepreneurship.

On Managing Risk in Software Projects

Anant’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Understand user needs clearly to avoid creating features that don't solve problems; involve users early in testing to catch issues.
  2. Ensure all teams understand their roles and dependencies to prevent surprises; clarify API contracts and dependencies early on.
  3. Plan integration and testing carefully; start integrating early and create detailed testing plans to ensure everything works before launch.

Recommendation engines

Expand Mapping with Mike Morrow • 0 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Recommendation engines can work in two main ways: using features like genre or through user behavior to suggest content. This means they can recommend similar items based on what you liked or what others liked when they liked the same thing.
  2. A good way to find new movies is by looking at the work of the same director or producer. This can help you discover different films outside your usual tastes.
  3. Using a network diagram can help visualize connections between different movies or content. This manual method can feel more personal and help avoid getting stuck in a 'filter bubble' of recommendations.

Splitwise - System Design [HLD]

The ZenMode • 0 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Splitwise helps users track shared expenses easily. It lets people split costs for outings, so everyone knows what they owe.
  2. Users can create accounts, join groups, and add expenses that can be assigned to different members. The app automatically calculates what each person owes.
  3. The system is designed to handle many users securely while providing quick access to important information like balances and recent transactions.