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| The Dream of Computing for Everyone |
| By Howard Fosdick on 2012-08-27 13:53:48 |
| The dream of inexpensive computing for everyone has been with us since
the first computers. Along the way it has taken some unexpected turns.
This article summarizes key trends and a few of the surprises. |
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| RE[2]: Everything can be a computer |
| By zima on 2012-08-28 09:46:25 |
|
Seems like that "ubiquitous integration [...] mix-n-match services" doesn't really work out in your envisioned future scenario, limited only to buying into Apple ecosystem ;p (and generally, it might be a rather western perspective of things to come - so not really the most common one) BTW, in a few short years we should see the next generation of consoles ...and actually, one present console maker seems to be much closer to that "ubiquitous integration" vision than anybody - Xbox360 works with any TV (not only Apple snap-on box + Apple TV), can stream media from a PC on home network (or even, IIRC, play contents of plugged-in iPod?), access many 3rd party services / streaming TV, and use various touchscreen devices (NOT limited to those with an MS OS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbo... ...working with any iOS or Android device one might already have) as a sort of remote, game/app controller, or 2nd screen showing stuff related to a TV show. PS. You might keep that ZX81 around, but when was the last time you switched it on? ;p Edited 2012-08-28 09:56 UTC |
 - Score: 4 |
| RE[3]: Ergonomics |
| By zima on 2012-08-28 09:53:20 |
| Though the screen size is relative, it being quite close when using a laptop ...plus, in the position I mentioned, it ends up being sort of closer to the height of eye level. :p |
| - Score: 2 |
| RE: Comment by kovacm |
| By MOS6510 on 2012-08-28 12:09:08 |
|
It's just a shame home computers are not really mentioned, apart from the Apple II and TRS-80. The article says the IBM PC arrived and dominated. It did so only after a while, starting at work before invading homes. The first PCs cost a fortune. No mention of the ZX81 which was pretty affordable by the masses. |
| - Score: 2 |
| Invisibility is the goal |
| By Tony Swash on 2012-08-28 13:18:28 |
|
Computing technology reaches it's apogee when it disappears from view, when the user of the technology is not aware of the technology being used and they are only aware of the task being undertaken. All good technology should vanish from sight, the more in sight it is, the more the user has to think about the tool and not it's function, the worse the tool is. Smart phone technology is a big step forward. You tap an icon and speak to someone, or dictate some text which someone else can read, anywhere in the world. You approach a location and the device gently reminds you to do something, you tap an image and a flood of information is available, you see something and instantly capture an image of of it. As fantastic as smart phones are they still require too much thought to use, they still get between you and the activity or function. There is still a way to go yet. |
| - Score: 2 |
| RE[2]: Comment by kovacm |
| By zima on 2012-08-28 13:18:40 |
|
Even worse transgression: no mention of the Commodore 64, the best-selling single computer model of all time, and which occupies a very large part in some of the linked diagrams http://jeremyreimer.com/postman/... - it was basically the only thing really ever competing numerically with the IBM PC. Still, I wonder how much the numbers used for those graphs are skewed for North American market - apparently ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZX_... ), the Spectrum family sold 5+ million units not counting clones; considering that C=64 sold ~15 million, Speccy should be easily visible on the graph & much more than "Other". Oh, and no mention of the Amiga, the sign of things to come WRT multimedia for the masses. But what really surprises me is that you, MOS6510, didn't grumble about those two omissions :P |
| - Score: 2 |
| RE[2]: Ergonomics |
| By Lennie on 2012-08-28 13:53:00 |
|
I actually have a proper set up chair and desk and never have problems. Any time I even go near a laptop for a while longer than a quick 10 minutes I already experience discomfort. So I have some doubts about that, but I do wonder if there is some link. My guess is, it takes away the biggest advantage that a laptop or tablet or even phone has over a desktop computer. which is: mobility. Edited 2012-08-28 13:55 UTC |
| - Score: 2 |
| RE[3]: Comment by kovacm |
| By MOS6510 on 2012-08-28 15:01:37 |
|
I didn't want to come across as a fanboy, having already mentioned the C64 a few times in comments under other topics. The C64 does make a small appearance in the graph. But if the topic is computers for the masses the C64 certainly should be mentioned as Jack Tramiel wanted to keep it relative low cost to allow more people to buy it. The ZX81 was affordable for the masses, the ZX Spectrum/C64/Amiga/Atari computers were bought by masses. Maybe Linux should get a mention too, an operating system so cheap anyone can afford it and it runs on all kinds of hardware. It kind of seems the writer just wanted to jump to the points he wanted to make about the more recent stuff. But to be fair, it would make a very long article if he gave everything its credit. |
| - Score: 2 |
| RE: Invisibility is the goal |
| By MOS6510 on 2012-08-28 15:08:42 |
|
Disappearing from view is a good thing for the masses who just want things to work and don't want to bother learning how to operate something, let alone read a manual. BUT! I think there should always be the option to thinker around. I don't mind an iPad being a closed system, but it would be a sad day if you were no longer able to build your own computer and install an alternative OS on it. When things start to become simple and people expect things to "just work" it's not such a small jump to a situation where a government forbids any computer devices where users can "tamper" with, for they may interrupt services of the it-just-works-machines/syst ems/services. The movie and music industry wouldn't mind that happening for it makes pirating less easy, nor would the government mind in their fight against terrorists, hackers and tax evaders. |
| - Score: 3 |
| Comment by MrWeeble |
| By MrWeeble on 2012-08-28 15:59:48 |
|
> Given that Raspberry targets consumers, I'd recommend consumer packaging. Add a case. Offer a bundle that includes the required cables, charger, mouse, keyboard, etc. Consumers want plug and go, not a naked circuit board. Actually the foundation doesn't target consumers, the initial version that is on sale is a developer board; they wanted to release it so that people could write software for it. The fact it is so hugely successful amongst non-developers was pretty surprising to them. The actual target market is schools, and the release to them will include a bare-bones case. |
| - Score: 1 |
| Comment by ilovebeer |
| By ilovebeer on 2012-08-28 16:28:38 |
|
"Back in the 1990s, who would have thought that smartphones would popularize computing?" Where do people get this stuff? By the end of the 90's nearly a trillion computers had been sold. It's safe to say computing was popular long before the introduction of the "smartphone". > > Given that Raspberry targets consumers, I'd recommend consumer packaging. Add a case. Offer a bundle that includes the required cables, charger, mouse, keyboard, etc. Consumers want plug and go, not a naked circuit board. Not that I don't agree, but please note that the Raspberry Pi is selling like mad. This proves that, right now, the target consumers want what is being offered, no matter if it has downsides. The interest in Raspberry Pi was far greater than than the foundation anticipated, but that has not translated into massive sales. The majority of people who showed initial interest didn't actually buy one. More potential customers left due to the unavailability and ridiculous lead times on orders. The Raspberry Pi is doing better than expected, no question. But, to say it's selling like mad is misleading. And yes, there are certainly some downsides to the device. A lot of people thought they were buying one thing and found out it's not what they expected. The Raspberry Pi is absolutely no replacement for a desktop, laptop, tablet, or otherwise. The thing has little computing power and is slow (which is why everyone cross-compiles for it). There's no gui/desktop acceleration (yet) either. The Raspberry Pi reminds me of a mid range cell phone without cellular capability or a case. |
| - Score: 2 |
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