Archive for January, 2010

While I was working away today on my  iMac I found myself opening up several windows and working with several programs and wondered if there was a better way for me to interface with my computer. I have the large 27″ display, I have the slick looking, low profile keyboard, Apple’s magic mouse which uses multi-touch technology (also used on the iPhone or the new iPad). All of this allows me faster access to more information than ever. Some computers now just make use of the monitor and a mouse. For example HP’s TouchSmart line of computers or Microsoft’s experimental TouchWall product.

To quote the fine people at 10/GUI.

“The mouse and the windowed desktop are perhaps the two greatest innovations in the history of human-computer interaction. But like all innovations, they are best seen as part of a continuum rather than a terminus. The mouse and the window led us out of the confines of the keyboard and the text prompt to the world of graphical and spatial possibility we enjoy today. But there’s no reason to stop there.

Many activities today still need only a keyboard and terminal screen—and it’s likely the personal computer could have still evolved, albeit more limitedly, using only those. Most activities today need only a mouse and windowed information display on top of that, and the evolution of software and hardware can and will continue while limited to these.

Eventually, though, the shift to another interaction paradigm is inevitable. Just as the advent of the mouse and windowed GUI opened many new doors, so will the next generation of interfaces after that.”

With all this technology is there a better way for human/computer interaction ? Hrm… I found a short clip which you may find interesting. A glimpse into the future, perhaps?

Niwasa provides early intervention programs and services for the health and well being of Urban Aboriginal (Status & Non-Status Indian, Métis & Inuit) preschool children in the Hamilton area. Their mission is to foster the spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical growth of each child, which will contribute to life long learning and transition to elementary school. Niwasa wanted to update their web presence with a new look. They wanted a site that they could easily manage and update themselves. I had decided that using the Wordpress platform would be the quickest and most economical way for them to have a website. I had their new site up and running in about 24 hours. Complete with full customization. Website: www.niwasaheadstart.com