RSI, WIMPs and Pipes; What Next?

Tetard asks: "Long live the pipe! Since the `|' was invented by Doug McIlroy in 1973, has there ever been a more effective way of reusing tools and connecting data ? The mouse is a device of the Beatles era; Rather than try and provoke nostalgia in the older ones among us, I'm asking myself, as are others: when we don't try to reinvent the wheel, or at least improve it, why must we try and copy it every time ? Xerox PARC exposed us to WIMPs and we haven't done better: some innovation, some plastic surgery -- but no "paradigm shift" -- where's the creative destruction that will take us further ? Graphical component programming is turning us into click-happy bonobos^H^H^Hchimpanzees, as we fail to find new ways to manage and connect richer data streams. My web designer friends are damaged for life because of mice, and yet we persist... Where do we go from here ? If we ever invent the graphical pipe, let if have keyboard shortcuts." Yes, you've probably seen a similar question to this run by Ask Slashdot before, but this time I'm wondering if maybe we need new input devices before the WIMP paradigm is replaced with something better. Might any of you have ideas on what form these input devices might take?

For those interested, here are the previous stories that have handled this type of question:

• GUI Research - Is it Still Being Done?
• Pipes In GUI's?
• Pipes in GUI's? (Redux)

So what it will take to break us out of the WIMP box (or prison, depending on your bias), maybe new input devices would do it, but quite frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if a 3D interface might be another route (it would possibly spark interest in designing a new input device that would work better with 3D interfaces, or maybe data-gloves could serve this purpose?). Going on a limb, maybe this guy might just be the ticket.

Comments

Re:My Experience With the Linux DOS

[da_Den_man]

Glad you were able to stay on topic.....

FWIW, A losing battle is to stay with NT for Enterprise based Services. Not desktop, and Windows already sucked the populace into that realm, but in true Server functionality. The only stable platform for this is some form of UNIX. Linux is Stable, a form of UNIX and FREE.
You do get what you pay for. In Linux only though. Windows always makes you feel like you need a refund....
.

Re:Tongue powered interface

[Zen Mastuh]

I believe it's called a Deloris. Whenever I plug my tongue into my box (my girl's box, rather), the local sheriff shows up to tell me I have performed an Illegal Operation. Oral sex is considered sodomy here--a felony--which is proof that we still live in the Dark Ages.