Posted by admin on Aug 22, 2010 in Recent Posts | 0 comments
A new face of computer interface
Can you ever guess such a program that will be useful for all computer users without any exception? Well, there is one – our operating system. Our computer can’t work without it. But what else? In fact, it is difficult to imagine such program. Some people need text editors, others – games, and somebody needs powerful application for real-time 3D modeling. Is there anything that can unite many people with different needs and habits?
I was very surprised when found such program a few days ago. Its name is rather curious – VistaGlance. What can program with such name do? We can find it from the program’s motto:
“Access files with the power of your mind!” This is rather adventurous statement. However, when you download and try this program, you find out that this is a truth. Maybe a bit poeticized, but truth. Of course, computers can’t read man’s thoughts and won’t be able to do it for a long time. The motto says about a bit different thing.
What?
Hundred times a day you run programs, open files or search for some information in your PC. You loose up to 50% of working and spare time in “folder plays”! What do you do when you want to open a file or run a program you need? In most cases, you walk through numerous folders and subfolders or wander about countless items in Start menu. Do you remember such situations when you have even forgotten what you need while searching for the necessary file in the thorny tree of your file system? This is a bad side of Explorer. Explorer can solve only one problem: it helps you to examine the contents of some folder you do not know about. But users rarely need this. Almost each time we open Explorer, or Start menu, or some Norton commander-like program we want to open some document or run some program we know about. We know its name, or its category, or some part of the name… Well, how often do you run programs which names you do not even know?
Explorer – is a big illusion indeed. We spend our time seeking for files that we already imagine, perceive, remember, know… Why should we tell computer a such illusory thing like “file path”? With VistaGlance you will not “play with folders” anymore. You will do what you want and get what you want as soon as you think about it. It is simply a new kind of interface, more powerful, easier and faster than all you have seen before…
How?
Suppose you want to open some document. Of course, you know its name or some part of name, or something about its category or keywords. You simply type this little piece of information (often this is not more than several letters – and it takes less than a second to enter it) you know about this file or program into a small field in your taskbar, or in Explorer toolbar, or in Floating Bar and press Enter. May be you do not even guess where this file could be. It is up to computer to figure it out. Less than in a second you get exactly the
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Posted by admin on May 15, 2010 in Articles | 0 comments
Year 2020, a future with a cyborg-populated world.
This could well be the vision of global computer industry giant Intel , with its Pittsburgh lab reportedly aiming to develop brain implants controlling all kinds of gadgets via brain waves in year 2020.
When we heard the story about Toyota recently demoing a wheelchair controlled with brainwaves, and University of Utah researchers creating a wireless brain transmitter that allows monkeys to control robotic arms, we may have guessed what’s in the offing : a peek on things to come, accelerating changes in the not-so-distant technofuture.
Check out Computerworld.com‘s report:
“Scientists at Intel’s research lab in Pittsburgh are working to find ways to read and harness human brain waves so they can be used to operate computers, television sets and cell phones. The brain waves would be harnessed with Intel-developed sensors implanted in people’s brains.”
“The scientists say the plan is not a scene from a sci-fi movie — Big Brother won’t be planting chips in your brain against your will. Researchers expect that consumers will want the freedom they will gain by using the implant.”
Intel Labs Director of Future Technologies Research Andrew Chien observes that since human beings are remarkably adaptive , the idea of having brain implants would soon be an ordinary occurrence. “If you told people 20 years ago that they would be carrying computers all the time, they would have said, ‘I don’t want that. I don’t need that.’ Now you can’t get them to stop [carrying devices]. There are a lot of things that have to be done first but I think [implanting chips into human brains] is well within the scope of possibility,” he explains.
Intel research scientist Dean Pomerleau was also quoted to say that people will get bored with having to depend on computer interface, and will get more bored with having to manipulate computer interface with their fingers. Excitement will happen when they start manipulating devices with their brain waves.
Pomerleau and his research teammates from Intel, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, currently working on decoding human brain activity, points out: “We’re trying to prove you can do interesting things with brain waves,” said Pomerleau. “Eventually people may be willing to be more committed … to brain implants. Imagine being able to surf the Web with the power of your thoughts.”
Meantime, there are ethical and policy issues to be dealt with. This, according to Ellen M. McGee, Ph.D , Director of The Long Island Center for Ethics Long Island University, and Sweden’s Gerald Q. Maguire, Jr., PhD from the Royal Institute of Technology — on the issue of implantable brain chips.
In their position paper , they wrote:
“The future may include the reality of science fiction’s “cyborgs,” persons who have developed some intimate and occasionally necessary relationship with a machine. It is likely that computer chips implanted in our brains and acting as sensors or actuators may soon not only assist the blind and those with failing memory, but even bestow fluency in a new language, enable “recognition” of previously unmet individuals and provide instantaneous access to encyclopedic databases.”
“Used for therapy such as remediating retardation, replacing lost memory faculties, or substituting for defective sensory abilities, implantable brain chips are noncontroversial and desirable interventions. The issues that arise with such therapeutic uses of implantable brain chips primarily involve questions of equity and the costs of implementing this technology.”
Both McGee and Maguire contend that a myriad of technical, ethical and social concerns should be considered before proceeding with implantable chips, and the most obvious and basic problems involve safety.
Aside from the concern on surgical and long-term risks, the question of long-term usage of non-toxic materials implanted in the brain, there is also the issue of whether there should be a higher standard for safety when technologies are used for enhancement rather than therapy needs public debate, they pointed out.
And the burning question arises: Will the use of computer-brain interfaces change our conception of man and our sense of identity? What about the sociological and psychological effects of enhancing human nature?
McGee and Maguire write:
“If people are actually connected via their brains, the boundaries between self and community will be considerably diminished. Not only may the boundaries of the real and the virtual worlds blur, but the pressures to act as a part of the whole, as a “collective consciousness,” rather than as an isolated individual would be increased.”
“The sense of self as a unique and isolated individual might be changed. Modifying the brain and its powers could change our psychic states and our understanding of what it means to be human. The borders between me “the physical self” and me “the perceptory intellectual self” could change as the ability to perceive and interact expands. Whether this would lead to bestowing greater weight to collective responsibilities and whether this would be beneficial are unknown.”
And these brain-implanted cyborgs, these superhuman androids with supersensory capacities and capabilties would therefore change the “norm” for humans; and as they grow stronger in numbers, ” today’s normal might be seen as subnormal, leading to the medicalization of another area of life. Thus, substantial questions revolve around whether there should be limits placed upon modifications of essential aspects of the human species.”
“Changes in human nature would be-come more pervasive if the altered consciousness were that of children. Will parents in our intensely competitive society be able to secure implants for their children, and if so, how will that change the already unequal lottery of life? Will the inequalities produced create a demand for universal coverage of these devices in healthcare plans, further increasing costs to society? Or will implanted brain chips be available only to those who can afford a substantial investment, thus further widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots? Of major concern should be the social impact of implementing a technology that widens the divisions not only between individuals, but also between rich and poor nations.”
Further down the road, they contend that combined with cloning technologies and given the possibility of continually recording and editing our lives, novel meanings of the self would be generated. And the most frightening implication of this technology is the grave possibility that it would facilitate totalitarian control of humans.
“Using such technology, commercial interests or governments could control and monitor citizens. In a free society this possibility may seem remote, although it is plausible to project initial compulsory usage for children, for the military or for criminals. Policy decisions will arise about this usage, and also about mandating implants to affect specific behaviors. A paramount worry involves who will control the technology and what will be programmed; this issue overlaps the uneasiness about privacy concerns and the need for secure communication links. The prospects for sinister invasions of liberty and privacy are alarming.”
“Certainly, it appears that moving towards implantable brain chips can be a positive step in the evolution of humans. Nevertheless, the issues as described in this paper are weighty and need international consideration. Public debate and multidisciplinary evaluation from thinkers in the fields of computer science, biophysics, medicine, law, religion, philosophy, public policy and international economy are urgently needed.”
Lei Kalina is a veteran in Philippine media , published writer and columnist (under maiden name Mari Leah Bartolome) , publicity expert and media campaign manager, Filipino futurist writer, a self-confessed techie geek, moderator for the Manila Futurists Society — a community of futurists which is an off-shoot of USA futurist groups. Her futurist blog is entitled Future Culture at www.futureculture.tk
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Posted by admin on Apr 30, 2010 in Articles | 0 comments
Can you ever guess such a program that will be useful for all computer users without any exception? Well, there is one – our operating system. Our computer can’t work without it. But what else? In fact, it is difficult to imagine such program. Some people need text editors, others – games, and somebody needs powerful application for real-time 3D modeling. Is there anything that can unite many people with different needs and habits?
I was very surprised when found such program a few days ago. Its name is rather curious – VistaGlance. What can program with such name do? We can find it from the program’s motto:
“Access files with the power of your mind!” This is rather adventurous statement. However, when you download and try this program, you find out that this is a truth. Maybe a bit poeticized, but truth. Of course, computers can’t read man’s thoughts and won’t be able to do it for a long time. The motto says about a bit different thing.
What?
Hundred times a day you run programs, open files or search for some information in your PC. You loose up to 50% of working and spare time in “folder plays”! What do you do when you want to open a file or run a program you need? In most cases, you walk through numerous folders and subfolders or wander about countless items in Start menu. Do you remember such situations when you have even forgotten what you need while searching for the necessary file in the thorny tree of your file system? This is a bad side of Explorer. Explorer can solve only one problem: it helps you to examine the contents of some folder you do not know about. But users rarely need this. Almost each time we open Explorer, or Start menu, or some Norton commander-like program we want to open some document or run some program we know about. We know its name, or its category, or some part of the name… Well, how often do you run programs which names you do not even know?
Explorer – is a big illusion indeed. We spend our time seeking for files that we already imagine, perceive, remember, know… Why should we tell computer a such illusory thing like “file path”? With VistaGlance you will not “play with folders” anymore. You will do what you want and get what you want as soon as you think about it. It is simply a new kind of interface, more powerful, easier and faster than all you have seen before…
How?
Suppose you want to open some document. Of course, you know its name or some part of name, or something about its category or keywords. You simply type this little piece of information (often this is not more than several letters – and it takes less than a second to enter it) you know about this file or program into a small field in your taskbar, or in Explorer toolbar, or in Floating Bar and press Enter. May be you do not even guess where this file could be. It is up to computer to figure it out. Less than in a second you get exactly the very thing you need. Maybe there are thousands of files with similar names but you always see exactly what you need. It sounds like a science fiction. However, this is reality. The name of this reality is VistaGlance.
Do you still want to spend up to 30 percent of working hours on tiresome browsing for the necessary files and programs? When you try VistaGlance, you will see that there are more pleasant ways to spend this time rather than to play with folders.
Why?
It is so natural to access files and programs by their names and don’t ever think about their placement. Present-day operating systems make people ask “Where?” rather than “What?” when we want to open or run something. However, file system or Start menu is not like your street or native town – there are much less reference points. One folder is very similar to other folders; one submenu is like many other submenus. There are no differing details that human’s eye can catch and memory can keep. It is not surprising that even people who have been working with computer for many years can’t remember, where they placed the file they’ve just downloaded or where they saved a very important document yesterday or where some program is situated. Standard search techniques can do nothing with it. They are annoyingly slow and just perform a silly search while we need a clever tool to instantly access files we need. VistaGlance is the kind of tool we need.
Where?
Download VistaGlance here for free. . VistaGlance is a totally free software. Want to know more? You can view the screenshots of VistaGlance here and a brief tutorial , which will perfectly show you the abilities of VistaGlance in case if you are still not sure whether to download it or not, here. At last, here is a complete list of program’s features . Just give it a try and this program will become your constant and reliable friend for ages.
When?
The idea of the program like VistaGlance born in February, 2005. I just read a wonderful book “The Humane Interface” by Jef Raskin which striked my imagination. I suppose it just changed my way of thinking in the area of computer-human interfaces. A few days later I stumbled across “The Anti-Mac Interface” by Don Gentner and Jakob Nielsen. It is not a book but a rather small article but it contains a lot of fresh and nonstandard thoughts about the modern computer human-oriented interfaces. Like many people who came into computer world not directly from Windows but from DOS and command prompt, I understood that command line is the one of the fasted kinds of interface. All these icons, windows, shortcuts and other flashy stuff can’t give user such speed of work. However, I also realized that command-line interfaces are hard to learn, difficult to understand and simply unattractive for novice users.
The idea of combining best sides of command-line and graphical interfaces soar hovered somewhere in the air. Both “The Humane Interface” and “The Anti-Mac Interface” gave me a lot of ideas of how it could be done. Several months of coding passed and I released SunGlance – a powerful index-based searching utility. I tried to tell people that this is not only a search utility like Windows Search but a completely new way of accessing and manipulating files. My friends understood me. The least World – no. So I sat down and start thinking of what was wrong with this concept. In October, 2005 I grabbed all improvement ideas and started working. In February, 2006, in a year after SunGlance firstly came to the World, I released VistaGlance – my second attempt to give people a new power of human-oriented command line. Well, I haven’t implemented all my of ideas yet. This is still a handy file searching tool and not the command line as it should be. But I add new features daily and one day you’ll see VistaGlance becoming the most powerful and easy to use computer interface you ever met. The final step is an independent OS that implements Raskin’s, and Nielsen’s, and my own ideas on computer-human interaction. But this will be in future, maybe not as near as I’d like to.
http://www.VistaGlance.com
The author of VistaGlance is Konstantin Artemev, a Russian programmer.
He is also the leader of QwertyStudios. Founded in 2002, QwertyStudios
mainly concentrates on developing new methods of computer human interaction
and conducts researches in this area. Our ultimate mission is to turn computer
into powerful and smart tool. Let’s disprove a saying that computer can solve only
problems that hadn’t existed before its invention together!
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