[Murk]

I've seen several applications that look like wget UI. They often are internal engineering applications, and, in the main work fairly well for the target audience. I think programmers know exactly what a good UI might look like, but (a) they don't always have to time to make such a thing. (b) it's not cost or time effective to produce one.

Personally I've done both sort of user interfaces, the quick crowded ones, and the task Centeric ones, where time is spent on design and redesign.

I don't really necessarily think that programmers are inherently bad screen design, but it requires the time/effort and inclination; where often, one or more of those are in short supply.

[Roboprog]

That was my thought: First, a text box to make entry POSSIBLE, then, if time allows, a select/option list to constrain to meaningful answers, then, the "other-with-text" option to allow the long tail of never before seen but valid answers.

And so on, as time allows.