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Interfaces and Trust

D. Marwick · Jan 15, 2026

Trust in software is built slowly and lost in a single confirmation dialog that did the opposite of what it said.

When you label a button 'Save', it should save. When you label it 'Delete', the user should be very sure something is about to be deleted.

The interface is the only part of the system the user can see. Treat the copy on it with the seriousness you reserve for a legal contract — because, in a small way, it is one.