Slashdot Mirror
Shall We Call It "Curated Computing?"
medcalf writes "Ars Technica has an opinion piece by Sarah Rotman Epps on the iPad and other potential tablets as a new paradigm that they are calling 'curated computing,' where third parties make a lot of choices to simplify things for the end user, reducing user choice but improving reliability and efficiency for a defined set of tasks. The idea is that this does not replace, but supplements, general-purpose computers. It's possible — if the common denominator between iPads, Android and/or Chrome tablets, WebOS tablets, and the like is a more server-centric web experience — that they could be right, and that a more competitive computing market could be the result. But I wonder, too: would that then provide an incentive for manufacturers to try to lock down the personal computing desktop experience as well?" And even if not, an emphasis on "curated computing" could rob resources from old-skool computer development, as is already evident at Apple.
Why do people here on slashdot have this crazy notion that slashdotters are everyone? They're not. They are the minority. Most people couldn't tell you the difference between GPL, BSD, xfs, and X Windows. And they don't care. You give them a device and the first thing they care about is how do they do [some function]. The shorter the learning curve, the more they'll think it's some sort of magical device.
Technology intimidates most people. Think of your average grandparent. They like the TV. They like radio. They have DVD/VCR players that have the wrong time. They hate computers. Why? Because they only want to learn just enough for them to use [some function]. They don't need to program the time on the VCR/DVD. They know to put in the media and press PLAY.
There are products designed for slashdotters; Apple doesn't however design products for slashdotters. They design consumer products for the average consumer. They design professional products (MacBook Pro, Mac Pro) for the design professionals (graphic artists, photographers, musicians, film makers). Even their server line is designed for specific users. None of these are designed for geeks like you and me.
The iPad is a limited device. It is not designed to replace the desktop. It is designed to be an extension of it. It is designed to consume media with limited ability to create. It is not for me but this fits for most consumers. They check their email and surf the web; they don't code.
Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
Of course they want something with more positive spin on it.
Walled Garden Computing is far too honest and descriptive. It acknowledges a downside rather than trying to completely ignore it.
A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
Of course you can't see the difference. You are LYING in order to make the point.
There is no service hatch in Ubuntu. It is specifically designed to allow for 3rd party software sources and places no limits on installing or running random binaries.
Not only is there a "service hatch" on an iPad but it is locked. Unlocking it is of dubious legality and the means to unlock an iPad are constantly being "fixed".
They are NOTHING like each other.
At worst, something is hard on Ubuntu. That's a far cry from something that is specifically intended to be impossible.
A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.