Perhaps the guiding factor is not the convenience of the interface, but rather the intuitiveness of the interface. If you "feel at home", as it were, with the layout and controls of the system it's quite possible that you could work faster than with a standard 2D desktop.
The key here is to provide more than just moving graphics and floating windows. If they developers are able to actually present new methods of functionality, rather than just representing old ways in an extra dimension, I have no doubts that we will see at least one innovative idea that will actually improve things. If Croquet can deliver just one feature that makes people say "Hey, why didn't someone think of this before", then the entire project will be a success (in my opinion).
The question is, can they do it? I have my doubts...I've seen too many developers get locked into "the way of doing things". This project may very well turn into just an overblown application ill-used as a graphics engine.
This release will be noteworthy to both developers and end users who just want to see "see what it's like". Soon after getting Slashdotted so long ago, Croquet.org removed the download and (basically) hasn't updated since. The vast majority of the (casual) interest in the project had to be stemmed off until now. As such, I'm sure we can expect the site to get hit with both old techies who never got a chance to see it, as well as new ones who are just hearing about it for the first time.
After doing the necessary research to make sure that I could actually get work done on a Mac, I whipped out the trusty credit card and decided to give the experiment a try.
That single sentence gives quite a bit of insight into a very major reason that Windows is so popular. The very fact that one has to research into applications is a drawbridge for many would-be switchers. With Windows, you have no doubts that there is going to be an application out there, already written, somewhere in cyberland...all you need to do is download (or buy). Gamers and "specialists", who require either very today-trendy or very specific function software, are turned off by the belief (or disbelief, possibly) that Linux and Mac simply can't support their needs.
Then, of course, there is the whole hardware debate. Once again, for Windows...it's out there somewhere; go find it. For Linux, well, it's out there, but have fun finding drivers and getting Linux to be a happy landlord. For Mac, it's out there if Apple or an approved sales associate has decided you need to have it.
In short, very few users are debating the worthiness, usability, or power of an operating system these days. It's the flexibility that they want. That may sound like quite a trite argument to have in favor of Microsoft...but in the context of the applications and hardware discussed above, I think it's pretty appropriate.
While the endless stream of worthless gameFAQs is certainly a detractor, I think the site has a few very valuable lessons that can be learned from it.
First of all, the site is thorough and popular. While this sounds simple, and not really all that important in the context of a FAQ, it provides a mindset that is lacking in just about any other form of online documentation (please, PHP.net users, do not consume me...it was just a generalization). How often do you have a problem and "go to the FAQ" absolutely confident that your issues will be addressed there? Not very often, I'm willing to bet. With gameFAQs, however, you can be pretty sure that SOMEONE has address your concern SOMEWHERE along the way (for most games, that is). The inordinate amount of detail that users commit to their FAQs is far more in depth than anything you will find in any other form of FAQ. This is probably because the author was, at one time, just another frustrated user who wanted answers. When he(she) finally got them, it was a point of honor to make sure it didn't happen to anyone else.
This brings us to the next important gameFAQs lesson: user contributions. Why relegate user submissions and experiences to the backwoods of a forum? Crawling has never been so dirty when you are up at 3 A.M. browsing obscure topics in hopes if finding gold. The submission sytem in place with gameFAQs (though not perfect, by any means) puts the power of documentation in the hands of those who will, inevitably, do a much better job. Sure, you'll have the UHAUL full of crap along with the cream, but even a basic ratings system can take care of that.
Of course, there are plenty of other concepts that would be interesting when applied to commercial product FAQs. How about a bounty system for those questions that someone REALLY wants to know...but the developers just won't seem to answer? It would be fun to watch, at the least.
To translate and localize the Fate/stay night web demo
...
To release a finished, bug-free product to the masses
Known Issues
There have been several reports of the installer not working with AppLocale. For now, please set your default ANSI codepage to Japanese instead for the duration of the install. If you wish, you can revert to English after the install is finished and play the game through AppLocale.
One step closer to everything we've been promised the past few years. You want a roll-up screen to go with your fold-up keyboard? This is the technology line that will make it happen. Window curtains that can change color, table-tops that are skinnable...think of it.
Now if we can only get the price down enough to make such trivial applications a reality.
"What's wrong with additional competition? And why should legislative bodies protect telecommunications monopolies?"
Because additional competition means less profit for the existing monopolies.
Because telecommunication monopolies protect legislative bodies when it comes to election funds.
It may sound like paranoi, but it's also the real world.
Take the time; let's do a little experiment. Go searching through the archives for any and every newsworthy bug, exploit, or vulnerability which has affected any part or whole of the Windows Operating System. I absolutely guarantee you that half the comments and followup posts to the article will be some variant of "This is the perfect time to switch!". Like the tellings of crazed prophets, I now expect the "End of the World!" proclomation every time I see some bug or patch made public.
What am I getting at? It's simple: this *isn't* the perfect time to switch, and neither will the next exploit, nor the one after. There's are reasons (although, granted, few) that Windows won't go away. It's fine and good to set up a linux box for Grandma and hand over the controls when you're done padding the floors, but try getting Grandma to install Linux herself (just about any version here, folks), or Dad, or Mom, or Sis, or anyone else who hasn't been playing with Linux to begin with. Have fun (and make videos!) of them trying to admin their systems or set any options more advanced than Desktop Resolution in their DE. There's an idea as well: let's see them try to install and setup their windowing system as well.
Before your shouts of "Check the docs, newb" get too loud, let me point out that this is exactly why the "lesser beings" are slow to switch: they don't need the docs for Windows.
Now, don't get me wrong, we are headed in the right place. Gentoo and RedHat are decent examples of where administration and/or ease of installation/usability should be going. But don't turn a blind eye to the fact that we ain't there yet.
I worry sometimes that companies are adding gadgets for the sake of adding gadgets. Is a diary really doable on a mobile phone? Does anyone having experience with the toolbox-in-a-phone market? I'd love to hear some examples of actually using some of the odd toys in the field enough to justify the added cost.
Now I'm just waiting for my PDA to come with a cup rest.
It has more to catch up on than program installation and looks, although those are definitely concerns to those who can't make the switch. Another enormous concern is speed. It seems as though, when comparing Linux GUI's to Windows, this concept is either conveniently ignored or assumed (rather forcefully at times) to be in favor of Linux. It isn't.
Now, let's be straightforward about this; I'm not talking about stability, security, efficiency, ease of use, the size of the icons, how exact the clock is, or any other concept to which some Linux hardcores will attempt to divert a conversation to when it starts to wander too close to this. I'm talking about speed. How fast, when I double-click on that pretty little house icon, before the file manager actually pops up (read: pops up and is usable, throwing out a nice looking file manager and still having the busy mouse pointer doesn't cut it).
Unfortunately, I have yet to see a Linux GUI/Windows Emulator, that is functional and powerful enough to be worth using, that is as fast as Windows is for the normal, day-to-day operations.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-Linux. I've tried and enjoyed many flavors of the OS and more than one Windows Emulator. I've got a dedicated Gentoo machine sitting about 2 feet away from my Windows machine. The fact is, it's just too slow (in mine and several of my friends' experiences) when it comes to GUI. My University has most computers dual booting Linux and Windows to give everyone an option, but even so I find myself using Windows just because of its speed (granted, this is Red Hat we're talking about here).
Something to note: many Linux flavors (and Gentoo especially) seem show a huge impact between customizing for your situation and just getting the thing installed. Anyone who has used Gentoo/Debian/etc knows all about fine tuning the kernel and compiler options to your particular chipset/architecture/hardware/environment/mousepad color/etc for great boosts in speed. The problem is, most of the people who really haven't tried Linux don't. Until they do, or the process is made easier and more accessible, these are not options to those people.
Unfortunately for Infinium, the realization of quality over quantity has not yet penetrated the production side of the market.
It's a simple fact: gamers do not want 32k games, we want 4 good ones. We want our Smash Bros., our GTA, our Splinter Cell. We are happy with Halo, and don't you dare steal our Suikoden.
In other words, flaunting information such as 32k games will only placate those who don't want to be sucked in the way of the Gamecube or the early N64. These are the people who (perhaps rightfully) will not jump on the newest console caravan unless they are assured that games will actually be released for the platform.
For the vast majority of the remaining gamers, we care more about the big names, broad scope, and refined entertainment that the occasional great game has to offer. We would rather see a stack of 10 groundbreaking games for the platform than a storage bin of crap.
Well, if Danish court systems are anything like that of the United States, I would be willing to wager that a large percentage of people will pay the bill...just to avoid the cost, time, and red tape of the lawyers and associated annoyances.
This kind of reaction could lead to a self-righteous anti-piracy group getting bloated results to their demands, and thereby stepping up their activity...not to mention the precedent which will be set for groups to follow.
Micromachines
on
Tiny Boxen
·
· Score: 0, Flamebait
Seems there is quite a big trend lately on the order of "Smaller is better".
Slashdot Mirror
Perhaps the guiding factor is not the convenience of the interface, but rather the intuitiveness of the interface. If you "feel at home", as it were, with the layout and controls of the system it's quite possible that you could work faster than with a standard 2D desktop.
The key here is to provide more than just moving graphics and floating windows. If they developers are able to actually present new methods of functionality, rather than just representing old ways in an extra dimension, I have no doubts that we will see at least one innovative idea that will actually improve things. If Croquet can deliver just one feature that makes people say "Hey, why didn't someone think of this before", then the entire project will be a success (in my opinion).
The question is, can they do it? I have my doubts...I've seen too many developers get locked into "the way of doing things". This project may very well turn into just an overblown application ill-used as a graphics engine.
This release will be noteworthy to both developers and end users who just want to see "see what it's like". Soon after getting Slashdotted so long ago, Croquet.org removed the download and (basically) hasn't updated since. The vast majority of the (casual) interest in the project had to be stemmed off until now. As such, I'm sure we can expect the site to get hit with both old techies who never got a chance to see it, as well as new ones who are just hearing about it for the first time.
After doing the necessary research to make sure that I could actually get work done on a Mac, I whipped out the trusty credit card and decided to give the experiment a try.
That single sentence gives quite a bit of insight into a very major reason that Windows is so popular. The very fact that one has to research into applications is a drawbridge for many would-be switchers. With Windows, you have no doubts that there is going to be an application out there, already written, somewhere in cyberland...all you need to do is download (or buy). Gamers and "specialists", who require either very today-trendy or very specific function software, are turned off by the belief (or disbelief, possibly) that Linux and Mac simply can't support their needs.
Then, of course, there is the whole hardware debate. Once again, for Windows...it's out there somewhere; go find it. For Linux, well, it's out there, but have fun finding drivers and getting Linux to be a happy landlord. For Mac, it's out there if Apple or an approved sales associate has decided you need to have it.
In short, very few users are debating the worthiness, usability, or power of an operating system these days. It's the flexibility that they want. That may sound like quite a trite argument to have in favor of Microsoft...but in the context of the applications and hardware discussed above, I think it's pretty appropriate.
While the endless stream of worthless gameFAQs is certainly a detractor, I think the site has a few very valuable lessons that can be learned from it.
First of all, the site is thorough and popular. While this sounds simple, and not really all that important in the context of a FAQ, it provides a mindset that is lacking in just about any other form of online documentation (please, PHP.net users, do not consume me...it was just a generalization). How often do you have a problem and "go to the FAQ" absolutely confident that your issues will be addressed there? Not very often, I'm willing to bet. With gameFAQs, however, you can be pretty sure that SOMEONE has address your concern SOMEWHERE along the way (for most games, that is). The inordinate amount of detail that users commit to their FAQs is far more in depth than anything you will find in any other form of FAQ. This is probably because the author was, at one time, just another frustrated user who wanted answers. When he(she) finally got them, it was a point of honor to make sure it didn't happen to anyone else.
This brings us to the next important gameFAQs lesson: user contributions. Why relegate user submissions and experiences to the backwoods of a forum? Crawling has never been so dirty when you are up at 3 A.M. browsing obscure topics in hopes if finding gold. The submission sytem in place with gameFAQs (though not perfect, by any means) puts the power of documentation in the hands of those who will, inevitably, do a much better job. Sure, you'll have the UHAUL full of crap along with the cream, but even a basic ratings system can take care of that.
Of course, there are plenty of other concepts that would be interesting when applied to commercial product FAQs. How about a bounty system for those questions that someone REALLY wants to know...but the developers just won't seem to answer? It would be fun to watch, at the least.
- To translate and localize the Fate/stay night web demo
- ...
- To release a finished, bug-free product to the masses
Known IssuesThere have been several reports of the installer not working with AppLocale. For now, please set your default ANSI codepage to Japanese instead for the duration of the install. If you wish, you can revert to English after the install is finished and play the game through AppLocale.
Ahem.
One step closer to everything we've been promised the past few years. You want a roll-up screen to go with your fold-up keyboard? This is the technology line that will make it happen. Window curtains that can change color, table-tops that are skinnable...think of it.
Now if we can only get the price down enough to make such trivial applications a reality.
"What's wrong with additional competition? And why should legislative bodies protect telecommunications monopolies?" Because additional competition means less profit for the existing monopolies. Because telecommunication monopolies protect legislative bodies when it comes to election funds. It may sound like paranoi, but it's also the real world.
Take the time; let's do a little experiment. Go searching through the archives for any and every newsworthy bug, exploit, or vulnerability which has affected any part or whole of the Windows Operating System. I absolutely guarantee you that half the comments and followup posts to the article will be some variant of "This is the perfect time to switch!". Like the tellings of crazed prophets, I now expect the "End of the World!" proclomation every time I see some bug or patch made public.
What am I getting at? It's simple: this *isn't* the perfect time to switch, and neither will the next exploit, nor the one after. There's are reasons (although, granted, few) that Windows won't go away. It's fine and good to set up a linux box for Grandma and hand over the controls when you're done padding the floors, but try getting Grandma to install Linux herself (just about any version here, folks), or Dad, or Mom, or Sis, or anyone else who hasn't been playing with Linux to begin with. Have fun (and make videos!) of them trying to admin their systems or set any options more advanced than Desktop Resolution in their DE. There's an idea as well: let's see them try to install and setup their windowing system as well.
Before your shouts of "Check the docs, newb" get too loud, let me point out that this is exactly why the "lesser beings" are slow to switch: they don't need the docs for Windows.
Now, don't get me wrong, we are headed in the right place. Gentoo and RedHat are decent examples of where administration and/or ease of installation/usability should be going. But don't turn a blind eye to the fact that we ain't there yet.
I worry sometimes that companies are adding gadgets for the sake of adding gadgets. Is a diary really doable on a mobile phone? Does anyone having experience with the toolbox-in-a-phone market? I'd love to hear some examples of actually using some of the odd toys in the field enough to justify the added cost.
Now I'm just waiting for my PDA to come with a cup rest.
It has more to catch up on than program installation and looks, although those are definitely concerns to those who can't make the switch. Another enormous concern is speed. It seems as though, when comparing Linux GUI's to Windows, this concept is either conveniently ignored or assumed (rather forcefully at times) to be in favor of Linux. It isn't.
d color/etc for great boosts in speed. The problem is, most of the people who really haven't tried Linux don't. Until they do, or the process is made easier and more accessible, these are not options to those people.
Now, let's be straightforward about this; I'm not talking about stability, security, efficiency, ease of use, the size of the icons, how exact the clock is, or any other concept to which some Linux hardcores will attempt to divert a conversation to when it starts to wander too close to this. I'm talking about speed. How fast, when I double-click on that pretty little house icon, before the file manager actually pops up (read: pops up and is usable, throwing out a nice looking file manager and still having the busy mouse pointer doesn't cut it).
Unfortunately, I have yet to see a Linux GUI/Windows Emulator, that is functional and powerful enough to be worth using, that is as fast as Windows is for the normal, day-to-day operations.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-Linux. I've tried and enjoyed many flavors of the OS and more than one Windows Emulator. I've got a dedicated Gentoo machine sitting about 2 feet away from my Windows machine. The fact is, it's just too slow (in mine and several of my friends' experiences) when it comes to GUI. My University has most computers dual booting Linux and Windows to give everyone an option, but even so I find myself using Windows just because of its speed (granted, this is Red Hat we're talking about here).
Something to note: many Linux flavors (and Gentoo especially) seem show a huge impact between customizing for your situation and just getting the thing installed. Anyone who has used Gentoo/Debian/etc knows all about fine tuning the kernel and compiler options to your particular chipset/architecture/hardware/environment/mousepa
Unfortunately for Infinium, the realization of quality over quantity has not yet penetrated the production side of the market.
It's a simple fact: gamers do not want 32k games, we want 4 good ones. We want our Smash Bros., our GTA, our Splinter Cell. We are happy with Halo, and don't you dare steal our Suikoden.
In other words, flaunting information such as 32k games will only placate those who don't want to be sucked in the way of the Gamecube or the early N64. These are the people who (perhaps rightfully) will not jump on the newest console caravan unless they are assured that games will actually be released for the platform.
For the vast majority of the remaining gamers, we care more about the big names, broad scope, and refined entertainment that the occasional great game has to offer. We would rather see a stack of 10 groundbreaking games for the platform than a storage bin of crap.
Well, if Danish court systems are anything like that of the United States, I would be willing to wager that a large percentage of people will pay the bill...just to avoid the cost, time, and red tape of the lawyers and associated annoyances. This kind of reaction could lead to a self-righteous anti-piracy group getting bloated results to their demands, and thereby stepping up their activity...not to mention the precedent which will be set for groups to follow.
Seems there is quite a big trend lately on the order of "Smaller is better".