Computer Dorking
Dec. 16th, 2002 12:42 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nfotxnWhy does WinXP bother dynamically grouping similar tasks in the taskbar? I wish there was an option to just group all running tasks under the host application by default. While it is impressive to see the tasks zoom about and re-organize dynnamically it isn't exactly the most beneficial thing. I lose track of where my tasks are visually. Also blinking tasks are really annoying, an alternative would be nice like the use of badges on icons to convey what has changed in the application has changed rather than abstract blinking or hopping.
This would of course make the task bar function a lot more like the OS X dock. Although OS X is not without it's blemishes the usability is still a lot more logical to me as far as allowing the user to multi-task without being too distracting or inconsistant.
I guess just in general I'd like to see more finesse put into interfaces. All hardware sold today is capable of 32-bit accelerated graphics with things like alpha-blending in hardware at a minimum. That sort of power should be highly utilized in the GUI to communicate transient information in an unobstrusive, universal and well stated visual way.
Know what'd be cool? Performance art over 802.11b ("WiFi"). Setup an access point and make people aware of the location of the performance via several exploits like Windows Messenger Service (not MSN messenger) or use Zerconf or something. Frankly the use of security exploits seems more interesting and topical but whatever works. I'd love to see a machine occupy a 4U space that people could just log into and deluged with dyanmic and generative sound and imagery. Incase the whole unit in a scuplture that doubles as an antennae. Much like the monolith from 2001 only accessible through modern telepathy, that is to say computer networking.
It could be quite literally a contemporary idol that most people could pay homage to. It'd bring up some interesting modern cultural questions.
This would of course make the task bar function a lot more like the OS X dock. Although OS X is not without it's blemishes the usability is still a lot more logical to me as far as allowing the user to multi-task without being too distracting or inconsistant.
I guess just in general I'd like to see more finesse put into interfaces. All hardware sold today is capable of 32-bit accelerated graphics with things like alpha-blending in hardware at a minimum. That sort of power should be highly utilized in the GUI to communicate transient information in an unobstrusive, universal and well stated visual way.
Know what'd be cool? Performance art over 802.11b ("WiFi"). Setup an access point and make people aware of the location of the performance via several exploits like Windows Messenger Service (not MSN messenger) or use Zerconf or something. Frankly the use of security exploits seems more interesting and topical but whatever works. I'd love to see a machine occupy a 4U space that people could just log into and deluged with dyanmic and generative sound and imagery. Incase the whole unit in a scuplture that doubles as an antennae. Much like the monolith from 2001 only accessible through modern telepathy, that is to say computer networking.
It could be quite literally a contemporary idol that most people could pay homage to. It'd bring up some interesting modern cultural questions.
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no subject
Date: 2002-12-15 10:58 pm (UTC)A lot of finesse *was* put into these interfaces--both Apple and Microsoft spend thousands of hours in usabililty labs tweaking them so people understand how to use them. Sometimes you get new ideas--task panes in XP, the Dock in OS X. But most of the time it's evolutionary design, the 'does it behave as expected?' question, not 'is it the easiest interface to use?' People already pretty much know how to use computer interfaces; retraining them is often more jarring than its worth.
I *like* blinking tasks. Often, I run without sound on, so I can't tell when someone's IM'd me unless I see a little orange blinky on the bottom of the screen.
On the other hand, I wish WindowsXP had all the sub-dialog boxes be attached to their host application's window. It's annoying to have to dig around finding that "Please close all Microsoft Office applications before shutting down the system" dialog... and then figure out which it is.
I'd like to see a performance art piece that was an open 802.11b access point--advertising 'Free Internet'--in a public space, then grab all the URLs people try to surf to... and then capture those websites and replay them, perhaps by time of day, or perhaps not. It'd be... voyeuristic, if nothing else. I like emergent behavior stuff.
no subject
Date: 2002-12-16 12:48 am (UTC)About the WiFi sculpture, you brought out an important point which is that of having it in public space and interactivity. I think it'd be interesting to try the monolith approach, that is complete uninterative and an interactive approach. I like the idea of interactivity because it's unique to the medium and similar voyeuristic proxies have already been developed like Carnivore. I guess the idea of having it in a public space and totally participatory only formalizes the idea maybe even losing some of the effect as far as awareness of privacy is concerned.
I think what I'd like most to explore is the broadcasting of meta-information during performance to devices people already have. Notebook computers with WiFi card would be ideal but also GPRS and Bluetooth enabled phones would be interesting. Send images to users via Multi-media SMS of the performance in progress or even transmit entire recordings. There's a lot of possibilities here.
no subject
Date: 2002-12-15 11:13 pm (UTC)As for the 802.11 thing! ROCK ON! You're sooooo cool. lets do it! ( the art project, dear ).