Comment Re:Why so easy? (Score 1) 204
"...rather than just failing to set things up for a couple of minutes and then giving up."
If one is a hobbyist or curious about how computers function, the experience you describe in this phrase might be satisying or even an enjoyable interlude. There are folks out there blessed with time, discipline and a curious disposition. The world is full of people who are not like this. The question is, what role can computers play in their lives?
Indeed, even though I have time, discipline and a curious disposition, I frequently am not in the mood to "mess around" with my boxes-- I want to play a game or write software, not think about my filesystem. That's the whole POINT of computers, to me, being able to manipulate data using motifs and simplifying respresentations. Not everyone is curious 100% of the time and technical details always distract from the task at hand (unless, of course, the details ARE the task).
The power and potential of computers, which you mention, obviously give rise to many applications-- they can function as telephones, televisions, cameras, recipe books, game consoles, etc. etc. I believe that when a computer fulfills the analogs of these functions, the user should not be aware of the computer or even the operating system, just the application. An application should present the user with a motif that is both essential and minimal to its current function.
When a computer first starts, it isn't really doing anything *I* care about, so I shouldn't have to know anything. No tinkering. No setting things up.
Anyway, you asked for opinions-- that's mine. :)
If one is a hobbyist or curious about how computers function, the experience you describe in this phrase might be satisying or even an enjoyable interlude. There are folks out there blessed with time, discipline and a curious disposition. The world is full of people who are not like this. The question is, what role can computers play in their lives?
Indeed, even though I have time, discipline and a curious disposition, I frequently am not in the mood to "mess around" with my boxes-- I want to play a game or write software, not think about my filesystem. That's the whole POINT of computers, to me, being able to manipulate data using motifs and simplifying respresentations. Not everyone is curious 100% of the time and technical details always distract from the task at hand (unless, of course, the details ARE the task).
The power and potential of computers, which you mention, obviously give rise to many applications-- they can function as telephones, televisions, cameras, recipe books, game consoles, etc. etc. I believe that when a computer fulfills the analogs of these functions, the user should not be aware of the computer or even the operating system, just the application. An application should present the user with a motif that is both essential and minimal to its current function.
When a computer first starts, it isn't really doing anything *I* care about, so I shouldn't have to know anything. No tinkering. No setting things up.
Anyway, you asked for opinions-- that's mine.
