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pilauh · Jul 30, 2002, 03:35 PM

Hi,

as a Mac user since my father let me use his Apple IIe and Apple IIc, i am wondering today (i'm 35)... when will we see the GUI of the future ?

cool effects, nice transparencies, wild animations makes me think of the movies we see today... nothing new...

I know the UNIX base in OS X ( and the next Jaguar version of it) is told to be strong as a bull, but on the ergonomy side of things, what is really new ?

Can't we find other ways of finding things, keeping things, manipulate things, exchange things, and above all : see things.

I'm a dreamer, and this thread is not supposed to be taken so seriously, but as a sci-fi lover... I like to joke and think about present talking about the future...

so, what could be the GUI of your dreams ?

[ 07-30-2002, 03:37 PM: Message edited by: pilauh ]

Guy Incognito · Jul 30, 2002, 03:40 PM

The GUI of my dreams wouldn't be a GUI at all. It'd be a mind-controlled UI. Or gesture controlled. Or speech-controlled. Or all of them intermixed.

euphras · Jul 30, 2002, 03:47 PM

Implemented speech recognition, once percived by the machine stored in a clipboard-like device and able to be integrated in Word, Works, Powerpoint et al.
But also for navigating: (photoshop scenario): "enlarge, enlarge, turn 90� clockwise, save as JPEG under ....!"

Pat

dfiler · Jul 30, 2002, 04:32 PM

I think we can already see or anticipate the apex of GUI development, at least from a technical stand point. You really can't do anything more complicated than photo realistic, stereo-scopic animations at a resolution high enough that human eyes can't discern a pixel. This is a ways off, but quite obvious.

Speech interfaces are definately going to transform computing and perhaps even humanity as we know it. However, they are incredibly difficult to implement. In particular, reliable natural language recognition is a long way off. Still, speech interfaces have a great deal to offer even in their current, less than perfect state.

"Computer: show me the threads on MacNN that have replies to my posts from yesterday and the day before... then email them to my brother if he isn't working today."

The possibilities are mind boggling!

Diggory Laycock · Jul 30, 2002, 05:14 PM

Read this:

<a href="http://www.jefraskin.com/forjef2/jefweb-compiled/humaneinterface/summary_of_thi.html" target="_blank">http://www.jefraskin.com/forjef2/jefweb-compiled/humaneinterface/summary_of_thi.html</a>

(if it's still /.'ed see here: <a href="http://216.239.39.100/search?q=cache:m96e_DRwMIIC:www.jefraskin.com/forjef2/jefweb-compiled/humaneinterface/summary_of_thi.html+summary+of+the+humane+interfac e&hl=en&ie=UTF-8" target="_blank"> <a href="http://216.239.39.100/search?q=cache:m96e_DRwMIIC:www.jefraskin.com/forjef2/jefweb-compiled/humaneinterface/summary_of_thi.html+summary+of+the+humane+interfac e&hl=en&ie=UTF-8</a>" target="_blank">http://216.239.39.100/search?q=cache:m96e_DRwMIIC:www.jefraskin.com/forjef2/jefweb-compiled/humaneinterface/summary_of_thi.html+summary+of+the+humane+interfac e&hl=en&ie=UTF-8[/URL]</a>
)

it gets quite interesting at the end where he starts talking about removing the concept of files and treating data as objects that can have specific actions. (although at some points he veers dangerously close to re-inventing OpenDoc)

(Think "Services" + "Contextual Menus" - but you decide what the "services" are as you go along (like Finder searches in JagWire.))

[ 07-30-2002, 05:22 PM: Message edited by: Diggory Laycock ]

mrtew · Jul 30, 2002, 10:39 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by dfiler:
"Computer: show me the threads on MacNN that have replies to my posts from yesterday and the day before... then email them to my brother if he isn't working today."<hr /></blockquote>WOW! You sound exactly like Captain Kirk! Talk about a show ahead of it's time!

Mac007 · Jul 30, 2002, 10:58 PM

I expect two things regarding the UI of the future:

1. It will be really cool.

2. People will be complaining how it isn't as fast as OS X. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

godzookie2k · Jul 30, 2002, 11:15 PM

Its supposed to show up around the time that apple breaks the 2 ghz barrier.... WAAAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAH

Zimphire · Jul 31, 2002, 01:21 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Mac007:
I expect two things regarding the UI of the future:

1. It will be really cool.

2. People will be complaining how it isn't as fast as OS X. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <hr /></blockquote>Heh

kman42 · Jul 31, 2002, 01:47 AM

While I expect voice recognition to be the primary interface for certain types of computers like home automation or navigation systems in cars, I seriously doubt they will ever replace some sort of pointing device for general computer tasks. It's just annoying to have people talking all the time; it's a security problem; you probably don't want people to hear what you are saying at all times to your computer. More likely we will get some sort of eye tracking system prior to brain wave control, but that is the direction we will go. Quiet.

kman

Mr Scruff · Jul 31, 2002, 02:21 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by kman42:
While I expect voice recognition to be the primary interface for certain types of computers like home automation or navigation systems in cars, I seriously doubt they will ever replace some sort of pointing device for general computer tasks. It's just annoying to have people talking all the time; it's a security problem; you probably don't want people to hear what you are saying at all times to your computer. More likely we will get some sort of eye tracking system prior to brain wave control, but that is the direction we will go. Quiet.

kman<hr /></blockquote>I can see it now: -

"Computer: compose email with attachment of woman + goat picture and send to colleague"

Office goes deathly silent.

Stephane · Jul 31, 2002, 03:53 AM

Eye controlled tracking device (nothing more precise to my opinion), larynx microphone for "subvoiced" complex instructions, powerglove for 3D rotations and objects/files manipulations.
Graphics : pixels small enough to be invisible to the eye and false holographic images to increase depth sensation and work better on layers (front window, neat and detached from the background / back windows slightly blurry and more close to the background).
interface elements like buttons, menus, panels appearing or outlined in the blink of an eye when needed (voice command/eye blinking command, whatever)

Later, maybe, nerve impulse commands thanks to cyberpunkish jacks in the wrist.

3D finder : a java based search engine was already using that a few years back. Names displayed were spaned around a spheric form and when clicking a name, new names were appearing as if the list was a living cell. very sci-fi. Couple that with zooming capacities, advanced search fonctions (as in sherlock) scale effects and you get the idea.

MrBS · Jul 31, 2002, 03:56 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by euphras:
Implemented speech recognition, once percived by the machine stored in a clipboard-like device and able to be integrated in Word, Works, Powerpoint et al.
But also for navigating: (photoshop scenario): "enlarge, enlarge, turn 90� clockwise, save as JPEG under ....!"

Pat<hr /></blockquote>I hope and pray that by the time that UI exists that we won't be integrating it with word/powerpoint.
~BS

Gee4orce · Jul 31, 2002, 04:14 AM

The perfect UI is one where you don't realise it's even a UI - or where there is no UI at all.

I envisage a computer system that's so advanced that it's AI routines know when I want to do something before I even ask it - based on my past behaviour and preferences.

For instance - I come home for work, and every day I get changed, put the kettle on and make a snack whilst watching the news on TV.

With my 'ideal' system, as soon as I pull into the driveway (based on GPS information), the garage door opens, the front door unlocks, the kettle switches on, the toaster tells the freezer to supply it with some bread, and the TV turns on to the appropriate channel. My head-jacked cellphone is told to start screening work calls, passing them off to a AI partial personality simulation that will attempt to determine if the real me need to deal with the call (eg. an emergency). The wardrobe selects something for me to wear, based on the current weather and the latest fashions, and my personal preferences. The toaster even knows if I'm likely to fancy my usual spread on the toast, or if it's time I tried something different.

If I've had a bad day at work, then the whole system accomodates this - making a Horlicks, putting on some soft music and screening all calls that might be annoying.

The thing with all this is not that computers are taking over our decision making, but that they become an extension of it. This is Trans-Humanism.

sadie · Jul 31, 2002, 04:40 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by pilauh:
when will we see the GUI of the future ?<hr /></blockquote>The future, presumably.

I'm not a technophobe by any means, but i'm always suspicious of plans for computers that "just know" what I mean. If it listens to what I say, my speech patterns will change. If the computer reads my eye movements, then that will subconsciously affect how I move my eyes. If it detects my thoughts, i will start to think differently to accomodate it.

I think the best form of UI is simply a very advanced GUI, with limited voice control on top. And science fiction aside, that's the direction we're headed.

trash80 · Jul 31, 2002, 04:44 AM

the GUI of my dreams is the OS 9 one, with the OS 7 theme, with OSX running everything underneath <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

ameat · Jul 31, 2002, 09:39 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Gee4orce:
The perfect UI is one where you don't realise it's even a UI - or where there is no UI at all.

I envisage a computer system that's so advanced that it's AI routines know when I want to do something before I even ask it - based on my past behaviour and preferences.

For instance - I come home for work, and every day I get changed, put the kettle on and make a snack whilst watching the news on TV.

With my 'ideal' system, as soon as I pull into the driveway (based on GPS information), the garage door opens, the front door unlocks, the kettle switches on, the toaster tells the freezer to supply it with some bread, and the TV turns on to the appropriate channel. My head-jacked cellphone is told to start screening work calls, passing them off to a AI partial personality simulation that will attempt to determine if the real me need to deal with the call (eg. an emergency). The wardrobe selects something for me to wear, based on the current weather and the latest fashions, and my personal preferences. The toaster even knows if I'm likely to fancy my usual spread on the toast, or if it's time I tried something different.

If I've had a bad day at work, then the whole system accomodates this - making a Horlicks, putting on some soft music and screening all calls that might be annoying.

The thing with all this is not that computers are taking over our decision making, but that they become an extension of it. This is Trans-Humanism.<hr /></blockquote>...i wish my girlfriend could do some of those things...

mudzilla · Jul 31, 2002, 06:05 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr /> ...i wish my girlfriend could do some of those things... <hr /></blockquote>time to upgrade <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Kevin Davis · Jul 31, 2002, 08:16 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Gee4orce:
The perfect UI is one where you don't realise it's even a UI - or where there is no UI at all.

I envisage a computer system that's so advanced that it's AI routines know when I want to do something before I even ask it - based on my past behaviour and preferences.

For instance - I come home for work, and every day I get changed, put the kettle on and make a snack whilst watching the news on TV.

With my 'ideal' system, as soon as I pull into the driveway (based on GPS information), the garage door opens, the front door unlocks, the kettle switches on, the toaster tells the freezer to supply it with some bread, and the TV turns on to the appropriate channel. My head-jacked cellphone is told to start screening work calls, passing them off to a AI partial personality simulation that will attempt to determine if the real me need to deal with the call (eg. an emergency). The wardrobe selects something for me to wear, based on the current weather and the latest fashions, and my personal preferences. The toaster even knows if I'm likely to fancy my usual spread on the toast, or if it's time I tried something different.

If I've had a bad day at work, then the whole system accomodates this - making a Horlicks, putting on some soft music and screening all calls that might be annoying.

The thing with all this is not that computers are taking over our decision making, but that they become an extension of it. This is Trans-Humanism.<hr /></blockquote>I highly doubt that a user interface could ever be perfect simply because human beings are both limited and imperfect. I'm guessing that, if, for example, people could interact "perfectly" with other people, we would witness a world without social conflict and inequality. People would simply understand each other and work together to ensure all their needs were met.

When you break the very concept of a user interface down, one does not see it as an end in itself, but a means to an end. Considering that humans are both limited and imperfect, what is the most "human" way we can interact with our environment - both containing and minimizing conflicts (social or environmental?)

Perhaps this would lead to a world without computers - new forms of communication which surpass our current technology in their efficacy. One must remember that so many interrelated factors exist regarding interaction with our environment - we simply cannot focus on single artifacts or even small groups of technological artifacts.

For instance, I asked a very similar question to a fellow web designer once. "What is the ultimate interface?"

"A nipple." she replied.

This makes you think of an interface as something which responds to our biological nature. For instance, how does the act of sex relate to ways in which people interact with their environment?

kman42 · Jul 31, 2002, 11:13 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />For instance, how does the act of sex relate to ways in which people interact with their environment?<hr /></blockquote>Have you ever heard the one about the gopher hole?

kman