Windows NT on 600MHz machine opens apps instantly. What happened? (twitter.com)

Article summary

A video shows Windows NT 3.51 running on a 600MHz machine from around 2000, opening apps instantly. This has sparked a discussion about the performance of old versus new operating systems. The video highlights the speed of the old system, with some attributing this to the lack of telemetry and other features in older operating systems. The conversation revolves around the trade-offs between performance, features, and user experience in modern operating systems.

Main themes

• Performance comparison
• Telemetry and features
• Software development progress
• User experience and dark patterns
• Operating system bloat
• Informed consent and consumer contracts

What commenters say

• Some argue that the removal of telemetry and other features can improve performance, but others claim that this is not the primary cause of slow performance.
• The increasing complexity of software and reliance on hardware improvements are seen as contributing factors to decreased performance over time.
• There is a perceived lack of forward progress in software development, with many updates focusing on lateral progress rather than meaningful improvements.
• The use of A/B testing and dark patterns in web development is criticized for prioritizing revenue over user experience and exploiting users without their informed consent.
• Some believe that the focus on adding features and supporting diverse languages and regions has led to decreased performance and increased bloat in modern operating systems.
• Others argue that these features are essential for a good user experience and that the perceived slowdown is due to the increasing demands of modern applications and hardware.
• The notion of informed consent in consumer contracts, particularly in relation to data collection and A/B testing, is seen as problematic and in need of reform.