New shell scripting language, a new tablet, and in-product messaging
Tags: bash, ipad, product, marketing
Published: 2024-05-24 16:15:26

* [Amber, a programming language that compiles to BASH](https://amber-lang.com/)
* [The slippery slope of in-product messaging
](https://matthewstrom.com/writing/wayfinding/)
* [Daylight Computer, an alternative to Kindle and iPad?](https://daylightcomputer.com/product)

## Shell scripting times a million
[Amber is a new programming language that allows you to write code converted into BASH shell scripts.](https://amber-lang.com/) The language's syntax is a mix of JavaScript, Python, and something else (Kotlin? Rust?). The idea is to write in a language with a modern syntax, type-safety, and safety features.

One of those safety features forces you to write code to handle failures whenever you run a shell command.

The syntax also makes it more apparent that command failures are being handled:

```
let files = ["config.json", "file.txt", "audio.mp3"]

loop index, file in files {
    $mv {file} {index}{file}$ failed {
        echo "Failed to rename {file}"
    }
}
```

If you're only occasionally writing shell scripts, Amber may not be a priority for you. In such cases, linting tools like [ShellCheck](https://www.shellcheck.net/) could be more beneficial. However, if you find yourself frequently writing shell scripts, to the point where you're considering Python or Ruby for better re-usability, then Amber is definitely worth your attention.


## In-app tour guides are marketing
[In *"The Slippery Slope of In-Product Messaging,"* designer Matthew Ström explains that in-product messaging, those product tours you see in web apps, could be a symptom of a "bad" design.](https://matthewstrom.com/writing/wayfinding/)

It's an interesting take, though I can't entirely agree. In-product messaging helps guide users/customers through new product features, regardless of whether the new feature's user experience is well-designed.

![screenshot of app cues](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/dtyt9nzd2g91833pv453.png)

In-product messaging is another marketing touchpoint that informs the customer about a feature that may not be part of their typical workflow. Not to mention, once a customer/user has seen them, they won't reappear. Think about it this way: from a B2B SaaS perspective, the customer gets an email about a new feature release, logs into the app, and sees a small notification icon or a banner on the page about the new feature release. They go to some other page and get invited to go through a tour of the feature. This kind of repetition is needed even for well-designed user experiences.

## A tablet you might use every single day
[The Daylight Computer is a mix between the Kindle and the iPad.](https://daylightcomputer.com/product) The screen resembles the Kindle screen, and it has the form factor of an iPad, including a stylus. It is extremely interesting that the screen's refresh rate is much higher than the typical ebook reader. It's high enough to be a tablet.

The Daylight Computer, DC-1, runs Android, so you can run any Android tablet app on it with a kinder and gentler screen for the eyes.

Screen glare is not a problem with the DC-1.

![screenshot of daylight computer and ipad comparison](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/id2m84khzgvgxj0blx6i.png)

I've bought a few tablets before and used them for reading, watching movies (and sometimes video games and coding). I use them once in a while. I also have a Kindle and use it every day.

It will be interesting to see whether the DC-1 lives up to the hype.