I was reading a random computer article, as I always do, when I came across a classic argument that I must have heard a million times by now. The article was contrasting two different UI approaches to file managers and it concluded that XYZ approach was best because "it seemed easier for new users to learn how to use." I'm not sure why, but it hit me, just who are these 'new users' anyway? I mean we have been using arguments like this in computer debates for so long now, that no one has bothered to notice that there are NO new users anymore. I mean 15 years ago we had entire generations of people to convert to using computers. We also had a small existing computer base to convert from command line to GUI. But what about today, 2008? Anyone in an older generation who has not already learned how to use a computer is not going to learn one now, period. That problem is dying off (literally). As for the truly 'new' users, no one needs worry about them. My kids both were using computers before they could ride a bike, talk or even walk for that matter. They have no problems with UIs that don't somehow map to the physical world of paper and yellow file folders.
The old rules and arguments, just like the old 'new users', no longer apply.
Dvorak's new article is another inflammatory attempt at driving traffic to his site by presenting an argument counter to common tech wisdom. Ok I'll bite.
Dvorak - the iPhone is no desktop
His Main Points:
1. Smaller is becoming a problem.
2. Laptop as you only computer means you squint at a small screen and go blind - because they use a laptop at work as their main machine.
3. Because laptops don't get backed up, if it gets lost or broken they are toast.
4. Laptops are delicate.
5. Everyone thinks that the iPhone is going to be the next major computing platform. - What happens if people spill coffee on them?
6. They leave them all over, unlocked and with limited encryption. -Data robbing.
7. Claims that the desktop computer is the best model for computing. for 10 reasons: upgrade, displays, expandability, harder to steal, good input devices.
8, Only uses a laptop for travel.
9. Doesn't want to lug a laptop between home and work where it could break in the car.
10. If he wants data to be portable he'll load it on his 32G thumb drive.
Before I dive into the specifics of why he is an obsolete dinosaur who is nearly always wrong now, let's challenge the premise and then I'll counter his specific arguments. First why would we want the iPhone to be a desktop? What is so sacred about the desktop that it should be the model for all future technology? Next he uses the phrase 'computing' a lot. What is meant by that? What actually IS computing? My guess is that it is something that few people think they are doing, or even want to do. Lets say for sake of argument that the desktop IS the best computing platform (what ever that means), people don't buy an iPhone because they want to compute! The average iPhone consumer doesn't want to 'compute', he wants to find information, be entertained, stay connected with friends and he wants to do that from anywhere he goes.
Continue reading "Dvorakosaurus"...Hi, my name is John, and I'm an Apple hater. Well at least that's what they make me say at Apple haters anonymous. You see, I have a problem. I've been hating Apple since 1982, the year my beloved Commodore 64 came out (may it rest in peace). That's a long time. A habit practiced that long becomes a part of you. But I am working on it. A few years ago I started a 12 step program, and I'm slowly making progress. I'm on step 6, and in this program it requires me to face the thing I hate head on.
After months of agonizing deliberation I found myself at the Apple store asking an overly cheerful associate to bring me the cheapest Mac they sold. At the mention of the word 'cheap' I saw a momentary crack in the facade as a sneer flashed across his face. But it was gone almost as soon as it had come, and he happily trotted of towards the back off the store. Before I knew it he was back and although there wasn't a cash register in sight my card was swiped, and a receipt was produced from thin air as if by magic. When my head cleared I found my self standing back in the mall holding a small white box with Apple logos on it.
I took the Mac mini home with some apprehension. After an hour or so into the relationship, it was clear we were not going to get along. I criticized its OS, it said something about my mother, I called Steve Jobs a name, and it refused to output anymore video. Check mate. The next day I went back to the Apple store and swapped it for one that wasn't set to evil. I got off to a rocky start with this mac too, but after a while we called a truce. Now it sits quietly on my desk, and through the magic of VNC, it happily serves up its bouncy GUI to whatever PC I happen to be using - at home or away. It doesn't complain that is is surrounded by PCs or that it is connected to Microsoft products. I no longer tense up when I look at it. I call it Minime.
So am I converted? No, far from it, but I am learning tolerance and that is real progress. Soon I hope to be ready for step 7. Hi, my name is John, and I'm trying real hard not to be an Apple hater.
I got in on the new Evernote beta today through
giveawayoftheday. I'm excited. The new version has a server back end with a web interface and it auto syncs to all your clients. Very cool. I'm currently testing the new web, windows, and mac clients. (BTW: I bought a mac). So far it is working well. The interface has changed a bit and differs between Windows and Mac. There are some features still missing and others not yet polished, but it is looking good. I imported about 200 notes from my existing database and synced them up. My tag hierarchy didn't come across - it got flattened out, but everything else looks good. The web version even does in image text searching like the client apps do. Cool. I think this hybrid type of desktop / web application is the future. You get the best of both worlds.
Vista SP1 has finally been released.
Fire up Windows update or download direct.
You can now feel free to switch over to Vista en mass. After using it for a couple months now, even Paul says it doesn't suck as bad as he thought it did.
Microsoft's research OS; Singularity is now available for download. This OS is build on managed code using an extension of C#. I've seen talks and demos on this before, it's pretty cool.
Some rationale here.
I don't think that it's a good thing to have the gaming world reduced to a few massive developers. I'd much prefer to see all kinds of little start ups doing innovative things, particularly with Microsoft's XNA tools allowing for free and easy of XBox game development. I want to see a lot more Rez, and a whole lot less boring FPSes.
I use multiple computers on a daily basis. One for work and several for my personal use. Paul started an email thread on the topic of why or if he really needs personal laptop. I thought it might be interesting to explain why I decided I needed one and how I integrate it with all the other computers in my life. Note, in this discussion I'm not really talking about any machines I have at home for dedicated purposes like home theater / server etc. I'm just talking about computers I log into and use as computers.
Continue reading "Integrating Multiple Computers Into Your Life"...Microsoft has expanded their free virtual storage service, SkyDrive, to 5G. That's great news if you are looking for a secure place to store personal files, share them with friends or with the world.
The service just came out of beta and I think it needs a few more features to be truely useful for me: 1. Windows Explorer plug in. 2. Integration with Foldershare to provide machine sync as well as online storage. 3. Windows Mobile support.
I just discovered what Amazon calls a 'Book Upgrade'. When purchasing a book (some selections anyway), Amazon will offer you an 'upgrade' to add an online version for an additional fee. This fee seems to be around $4 - $5, at least for the quick few books I checked. They are marketing this with the following features: 1. Start reading now, no need to wait until the book arrives in the mail. 2. Leave your books at home, and access them from any internet browser.
To be honest I'm not sure how I feel about this. Charging $5 on top of your physical book purchase is sure a way to control their business model. You cannot purchase the online version without buying the book first. Also I'm not a huge fan of online only books. I use ebooks a lot as filler when I'm traveling and don't have internet access. I guess this approach also protects their Kindle ebook model since they currently are not offering any other way to purchase / read those Ebooks. The online books of course are tied to your Amazon account and non-transferable etc.
What do you think about this?
The rumor mill has just lit up again with speculation of an Apple Tablet or some sort of uber iPhone due out mid this year. There is even talk of a surprise press conference as soon as next week. In all honesty, these rumor are always running at about the same volume, you just can't hear them sometimes through all the noise.
.JPG)
Very cool. When will we see the press realease with tech specs and the official product name?
Congratulations! The beta period lasts 18 years though...
Yeah, the beta period is about as long as the GMail beta LOL!
Version 2.0 is looking a lot more wrinkly, squishy, and generally unhappy than the version 1.0 parental units.
Congratulations.
You now have a shrinking window of time before you get owned every night on Xbox.
Also, and also.
Well I figure it will take the guy a little while to figure out that all the acheivements he's unlocking are under my account :-)