Ghost Cut – or why Cut and Paste is broken everywhere
The article critiques the standard 'cut and paste' functionality in modern software, identifying flaws in undo history and document reflow. It introduces 'Ghost Cut' as a proposed solution to improve user experience in text editing.
Why it matters
It challenges long-standing UI/UX conventions in software development that impact daily productivity for developers and writers.
Is it Cut 'n' Paste, like Fish 'n' Chips?
Cut & Paste is broken in every word processor, code editor, and browser text area you've ever used. And it has been that way for decades.
Just so we are on the same page: cut & paste is the combination of two operations: cut to remove the text from the document and place it in the clipboard, and paste to insert that text at a new point in the document.
How can it be broken if it is so ubiquitous? Let me list the ways!
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