The answer is so blatantly obvious I can't be bothered answering it. Did you actually read the article? There's a few clues therein.
I actually have extensive knowledge of ergonomics, which is why I'm asking. There are zero clues in the article, so I'd love an explanation.
Because just to be clear -- haptic buttons activated by pressure are just as easily located by touch and require the same amount of force in the same direction. So what is the ergonomic difference?
2. My comment is about poor and unacceptable ergonomics of much modern equipment and software and how it's getting worse—not better. My post is in support of Allison Johnson's story except that I've taken the wider more general case to point out that Apple is not alone in subverting good ergonomic design for manufacturing convenience and profit; that is, it's a widespread problem. My point is that customers/users must take a stand if it's to stop.
3. You asked the question 'What do haptic buttons have to do with ergonomics?' I'll answer that by first briefly defining ergonomics. Ergonomics (aka HFE, Human Factors Engineering/Ergonomics) is a rigorous discipline concerned with the study of how humans work and interact with inanimate objects: tools, chairs, parts or elements of systems, software, etc. and the application of that data to optimizing the performance of that human/machine interaction (I'm sure there's a more succinct definition but that'll do for now).
4. Haptics is an integral—in fact essential—part of ergonomics, the science couldn't progress without it: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-14075-4_.... You say you have extensive experience of ergonomics, so why did you question the connection between the subject and haptics? Your question is the equivalent of asking 'what's the difference between counting or multiplying and mathematics?'. What you asked is essentially a non sequitur. Assuming you understand the meaning of ergonomics then it makes no sense.
5. I never make comments on HN that are deliberately intended to offend at a personal level and that's my position here.
My comments are often forceful and opinionated but I generally try to structure and present them as one side of a formal argument†. My comment here was understandable and a normal reaction given your nonsensical comment. Please don't read anything more into it than that.
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† Edit: Formal argument has rules which most seem to forget, if most people stuck to them then the internet would be a much more civilized place.
Because that was the whole subject of the article -- replacing buttons that move with haptic-feedback buttons. And your comment was a response to the article.
And despite your lengthy reply, you still haven't suggested why replacing a physical depressed button with a haptic one has any ergonomic implications, given that the user interaction appears identical.
> I never make comments on HN that are deliberately intended to offend... given your nonsensical comment.
Well calling my comment "nonsensical" continues to offend, and it's awfully hard to see it as anything but deliberate. Again, I suggest you look at HN guidelines which you are continuing to break.
