The OLPC machine. Copied from here
The laptop does not have a hard-drive, or slots for CD/DVD/Floppy etc to essentially save power consumption.
Monday, February 19, 2007
One Laptop Per Child >>> the device
The OLPC machine. Copied from here
The laptop does not have a hard-drive, or slots for CD/DVD/Floppy etc to essentially save power consumption.
Principle of Least Surprise
I will point you to a link on Wiki.
Basically, I think it is inherently tied to the user interfaces for various software systems and applications. As a Mac user at home, I have this habit of trying to close applications with an Alt+Q at work. This is before I realize what I am doing and then switch back to Alt+X.
But I think this principle goes further than that. Basically, it is binding the user interface for all new systems/applications to the existing conventions. This is probably why you see most operating systems run some variety of windows (though they may like to call them something else --- the concept is the same: you open a new window and then close it.) Very few new applications come up with newer paradigms .
So, the question is: is this a good principle to follow while designing user interfaces ? How do we balance convention/familiarity with giving users a vastly new experience, a paradigm shift ? What is the optimal solution ?
Basically, I think it is inherently tied to the user interfaces for various software systems and applications. As a Mac user at home, I have this habit of trying to close applications with an Alt+Q at work. This is before I realize what I am doing and then switch back to Alt+X.
But I think this principle goes further than that. Basically, it is binding the user interface for all new systems/applications to the existing conventions. This is probably why you see most operating systems run some variety of windows (though they may like to call them something else --- the concept is the same: you open a new window and then close it.) Very few new applications come up with newer paradigms .
So, the question is: is this a good principle to follow while designing user interfaces ? How do we balance convention/familiarity with giving users a vastly new experience, a paradigm shift ? What is the optimal solution ?
Welcome to my computer blog
Hi ALL:
I am hoping to use this blog as a place to post everything that I learn about computers on a daily basis.
FAQ:
Q:How will this be any different from the millions of websites that are already serving this purpose ?
A: True, there are numerous locations on the web where you can get the same (and definitely more detailed) information. But please remember: this is a personal journal. There is a thought process attached to how we go from one post to the next. There will be a flow which will be something I experience. In that sense, it will be different. This blog will not stand rooted to a specific technology platform or a specific paradigm. We will learn about all things that are even remotely related to computers.
Q: Why write a blog when I could have referred books, journals, magazines, e-zines etc ?
A: I have observed that writing about something makes you explore it a little more than if you just read about it. This is especially true if you were to write something in the public domain because then you would try to make sure that what you are writing is factually correct and not just an impression that you gained while reading about it. Furthermore, like I have stressed before, this is my blog, my opinion piece. No article or post on this blog will be complete without stating my opinion on that subject.
So, there. We have the basic ingredients in place to start learning. I am still learning. So there will be some errors/inaccuracies in some of these posts which I will try and correct as and when I come to know of them. So, please pardon those errors and keep your comments coming so I can learn more.
Thanks and keep participating !!!
I am hoping to use this blog as a place to post everything that I learn about computers on a daily basis.
FAQ:
Q:How will this be any different from the millions of websites that are already serving this purpose ?
A: True, there are numerous locations on the web where you can get the same (and definitely more detailed) information. But please remember: this is a personal journal. There is a thought process attached to how we go from one post to the next. There will be a flow which will be something I experience. In that sense, it will be different. This blog will not stand rooted to a specific technology platform or a specific paradigm. We will learn about all things that are even remotely related to computers.
Q: Why write a blog when I could have referred books, journals, magazines, e-zines etc ?
A: I have observed that writing about something makes you explore it a little more than if you just read about it. This is especially true if you were to write something in the public domain because then you would try to make sure that what you are writing is factually correct and not just an impression that you gained while reading about it. Furthermore, like I have stressed before, this is my blog, my opinion piece. No article or post on this blog will be complete without stating my opinion on that subject.
So, there. We have the basic ingredients in place to start learning. I am still learning. So there will be some errors/inaccuracies in some of these posts which I will try and correct as and when I come to know of them. So, please pardon those errors and keep your comments coming so I can learn more.
Thanks and keep participating !!!
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