Just TODAY I generated a text file via a bash script, and when attempting to open it in Notepad++ Windows insisted on warning me about potential hazards because it couldn't verify who created the file. A text file! Heavens. I wonder how long I'll last in that blasted Windows centric environment.
I don't know you but I love you for that Palatino statement. I've used it since forever (ie. back when Macs were black and white) and just love the curves of the italic style. These days, on Linux, I use Tex Gyre Pagella for basically all my documents.
For UI like menus and such, I'm quite nostalgic for the Chicago font - yes, pixelated and aliased and everything.
There's a wonderful bit of fiction writing where an armourer (I think, it's been a while) had that exact thought: paper never tears where the holes are, it only tears between the holes. Therefore, the holes must be stronger than the paper. Therefore, to strengthen a material, add (impervious) holes. Ultimately, the strongest material is all holes.
Agreed on your last point. That's when programs still had proper tool bars and keyboards shortcuts, before the "ribbon" shit started to fuck over everyone's muscle memory.
It would have made sense for MS to start with "finger painting UI" and then work towards the power user UI - but the other way round makes zero sense to my poor brain.
It was most certainly not Notepad trying to update, it very definitely was Windows intercepting the file open process.