__/ [ John Bailo ] on Monday 12 June 2006 09:05 \__
> Over the years, pundits, wizards, /architects/ and CEOs have espoused what
> they think will be the next big thing in personal computing.
>
> They create bizarre oddities, replete with gloved mice, helmets, tiny
> screens that fit in our pocket, wireless pens...they make them portable,
> soluable, and washable.
Standing out from the flock is frequently the key to success, by
distinguishing oneself. I gave up on laptops last year (after 6 years)
because I found them uncomfortable to work with, so as you say, convention
is often the most pragmatic thing. 'Novelty' needn't /necessarily/ be an
improvement. To list a couple of examples:
* Software: Flock
Web browser, Web 2.0/social networks Firefox derivative - leader recently
ditched the team.
* Hardware: Origami PC
"A disaster", http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=32339
* Internet: Live.com search
Slow, worst in terms of usability
> But you know what. Now more than ever, what people really want are
> powerful *desktops* -- that's right. A tower, and good sound, and a great
> monitor and comfortable keyboard that you can /type/ at...not some Bauhaus
> inspired overpriced portable transitor radio -- but a desktop.
>
> And you know what else they want? High quality software to run on it.
> That
> is why Linux is succeeding so much. Because it does what people really
> want -- allow them to run the personal computers in the way that they
> always felt they should be run -- with volumes of software and stability
> and not rebooting every hour and not full of bugs and viruses.
About software: you're right on the money. The wealth of high-quality (not
Windows freeware) software is astounding.
About stability: see sig. At nighttime, the computer runs computer vision
experiments and never has it failed.
Best wishes,
Roy
--
Roy S. Schestowitz | GPL'd 3-D Reversi: http://othellomaster.com
http://Schestowitz.com | SuSE Linux ¦ PGP-Key: 0x74572E8E
9:05am up 45 days 14:38, 11 users, load average: 1.15, 0.75, 0.42
http://iuron.com - Open Source knowledge engine project
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