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A New Paradigm For Web Browsing
dsaci points out a New York Times article about how surfing the web may change to a more graphics-based endeavor. With the advent of devices like the Wii and the iPhone, the capability to directly control objects on a screen is becoming a popular and affordable technology. That, combined with immersive interfaces such as Piclens, could be the future of web browsing. Quoting:
"'I've wondered for a long time why the computer interface hasn't changed from 20 years ago,' said Austin Shoemaker, a former Apple Computer software engineer and now chief technology officer of Cooliris. 'People should think of a computer interface less as a tool and more as a extension of themselves or as extension of their mind.' Voice, too, is finally beginning to play a significant role as an interface tool in a new generation of consumer-oriented wireless handsets. Many technologists now believe that hunting and pecking on the tiny keyboards of cellphones and P.D.A.'s will quickly give way to voice commands that will return map, text and other data displayed visually on small screens."
Why do you think so many people seek out Windows (and Windows Mobile, for crying out loud!)?
I think that Windows-using people just accept what is shoveled out to them, and always have.
The more interesting question from a socio-pathology point of view is why certain subcultures seek out and champion alternative interfaces like a holy grail, to the point where, for instance, the iPhone leveraged cultishness as a market entry vehicle.
Now this is a great opportunity to sound off about one of the things that I truly care about, without having any kind of hope of getting what I want from a capitalist society that claims "the customers and their wishes are key".
There also is of course the marvelous wonder - to me at least - that a majority of people (or at least it seems that way) often hail very minor advancements as "revolutions". An anecdote, when I was in military hospital (many years ago, in Germany 1 yr. was mandatory - besides it WAS fun I admit) a soldier visiting the guy next to me angrily attacked me with a pillow, cutting off my air, when I patiently explained to him that the latest Mercedes sports car had NOTHING that made it a "paradigm shift" or "revolution" compared to Model-T. Four wheels, carbon fuel burning engine, steering wheel, 100% mechanical and the exact same principles as back then. I told him a "car" would be remarkable and revolutionary only if it DIDN'T have wheels, would NOT require streets (just for a moment, think about the HUGE amount of our human economies that do nothing but lay the foundation for being able to move stuff and ourselves around! and how much beautiful ground is covered with ENORMOUS effort by asphalt!), and would use something other method than "burning stuff" for locomotion. Just imagine all streets gone... I'm not even asking for flying cars which would cause a huge amount of other problems, just hovering a meter above ground... imagine all the neighborhoods and cities with grass instead of asphalt, and next to no noise, most of which comes from the wheels hitting the road and not the engine!
Okay, for ONE person in the room I was a little too revolutionary, although from my own point of view I was merely stating the obvious.
So this is just such a topic where I wonder why people keep the discussion going only within the bounds of the existing system. Just yesterday I watched a presentation on the (excellent!) ted.com website where some guy showed off a new screen with multi-touch capabilities, and how that could change how we use computers. Boy was I bored... (even taking into consideration the video was 3 yrs. old)
Look, however you want to twist and turn it, regardless of how many colors you use, how many pixels, if you let me touch the screen directly or if I have to use a mouse, if the screen has "multi-touch", if you add 3d effects on the screen - IT STILL IS THE SAME PARADIGM (to use that nice word). I accept it was a step from text consoles to windows, but I don't see how rotating those windows, for example, or allowing me to touch the screen on more than one point, changes much. Sure it gets nicer and more convenient! But only as much as the latest car is an advancement over the old Ford, not more.
So, what would be a true shift in my opinion?
Well, first I would like something that isn't even that "paradigm shift" I'm talking about. What I would like *right now*, as a replacement for my current monitor (a 24 inch Dell), is a monitor plus glasses that let me see the monitor picture in a distance. Why? What??? Well, many people who look at monitors for years and years in later years (too late to change anything) get trouble with their eyes. Constantly looking at the near is not good! Our eyes are made for moving around, and for looking at distances more often than close, and to do so alternately. Looking at the close picture of the monitor is not good! If you tell me you've no problem, well, let's talk again 10-20 yrs. from now, shall we? Of course this isn't something you'll notice before you turn 40, and maybe you're one of the lucky ones even then. Even so, from an ergonomics point of view I'd prefer to exercise my far sight much more often *without* having to interrupt my work for too long - because it's not enough to switch for a minute every hour (but that's still better than making no pause at all). It can't be so hard to create such optical equipment?
Okay, and the REAL revolution to me still is good old VR. I don't want yet another bad 2d (o