Rain in the UAE - either look at it through windows or go outside with your mac

We are in a time of change. The computer has not changed much over the years. Physically, it's been a keyboard, mouse and monitor system for a long time. Operating systems have generally just been updates of old ones with a couple of additional functions. Looking through the operating systems of old, it's interesting how recognisable they are to a modern day computer user.




Icons came pretty earlier on. Various windows for different tabs are used, whether they overlapped was up to the particular company. Microsoft slowly became dominant after Apple had started strong, and now the two stand at the top of the pile. Microsoft, now seen as the more boring company, had an arguably more radical start since Bill Gates and Paul Allen wanted to purely sell operating systems, not even computers, which was the foundation of Job's and Wozniak's enterprise.

As I watched videos of motion operated interfaces, music created through body movement, and ReacTj using blocks to create a DJ set, I wondered why I'm still sitting with a keyboard and screen on my lap - a disappointingly boring scene in comparison to those shown in the videos. However, it is one of great practicality and it is understandable why it has lasted so long. A box contains all the electrical gubbins needed for the computer to run, and then the keyboard is a wonderfully easy way to input data. It only requires minimal movement of fingers and the rest of the body can slump in a chair. We are a lazy society now... no one wants to have to move their arms around and jump up and down to type the word 'Hello'. For speed's sake the keyboard just works.

Yet, there is a movement towards movement! The Nintendo Wii did well until updates to Microsoft Xbox and Sony Playstation smashed it out of the market (it really should have had better graphics and not just relied on Mario!). Even then the XBox's Kinect has become popular. The difference between these and a computer is the element of time. "I'm going to check Facebook", "Let me just send this email quick". Although an inordinate amount of time is spent on one's Mac or PC, people can just be on it for five minutes at a time. In comparison, "I'm going to play FIFA or Lego Star Wars" is an activity for at least a minimum of half an hour with a significant, obvious return like a completed level or match. The longer input of motion with a game is taken into account as part of the longer total experience. This relates to music as well. It normally takes time to practice an instrument or get out decks to DJ. It is an activity that one dedicates too totally for that specific time. It's not like computers where you might be watching a movie, listening to music, sending an email AND be cooking all at once!

The biggest development that seems to be taking over is the tablet. I think this is more to do with portability than interface. Touch screens keep the quick input but will take time to takeover from the traditional keyboard as people's fingers get used to pressing up onto a display screen. The smaller display screen has become home to more obvious icons, though it is easier for traditional computer operating to move over to tablets, than tablet software to go back the other way... why Windows 8, why...

Computers used to look like this...