A recent post from unsung.aresluna.org highlights a growing category of 'plain text' or 'ASCII' diagramming and UI design tools. These utilities, which use intentionally limited visual choices, are being utilized for low-key diagramming intended for insertion into source code.
Specific tools in this category include Mockdown, which functions immediately on the web and mobile; Wiretext, a web-based tool restricted to desktop use; and Monodraw, a dedicated Mac application. The author notes that while these tools are colloquially referred to as 'ASCII,' this usage is similar to how the term 'GIF' is applied to a broader category of looping animations.
This movement represents a contemporary reimagining of technologies that reached their peak between the 1970s and 1980s, such as Turbo Vision and Text User Interfaces (TUIs). Unlike their historical predecessors, these modern iterations incorporate modern sensibilities, including web access, improved performance, and mouse and trackpad affordances.
Beyond retro aesthetics, the author suggests these tools are increasingly serving as an entry point for generative AI. The simplicity of the format provides a strategic interface for interacting with large language models.
As computing capabilities expand, the author argues that the practice of constraint will become increasingly important. While self-imposed constraints are currently used to make tasks easier, the rise of AI may necessitate self-constraint to make tasks more difficult.
"Plain text has been around for decades and it’s here to stay," the author asserts. The longevity of the monospace format is attributed to both the portability of the file format and the inherent potency of text editing as an interface.
This resurgence emphasizes a focus on the power of the monospace format and the utility of a well-known, universal interface. The author concludes that the practice of constraint will remain vital as computers become more capable.
