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This post reminds me of a running line of thought that's been going on in my head for quite some time: "Single Purpose Devices." The main disadvantage of most
by JacobJans 8y ago
This post reminds me of a running line of thought that's been going on in my head for quite some time: "Single Purpose Devices."
The main disadvantage of most computing devices is that they offer too many options; making them mentally unwieldy. A "single purpose device" is created to support just one purpose. The Kindle is perhaps the most famous example; it practically created an industry. Sure, it can do more than just present books, but everything is designed to support reading.
Ideally, there would be a "computer", where every aspect of it was designed to teach computer programming.
I often fantasize about a device designed solely for producing new writing. It would have a nice screen, and a nice keyboard, but only a very very limited web-browser, and would sync with Google Docs, Office, or something similar, so that you can do the more advanced stuff elsewhere.
Such devices are about empowering the user to go down a specific path; one they choose as soon as they start interacting with the device.
Kindle -> Reading
Typewriter -> Writing
Hammer -> Hitting things
"Power to Basic" -> Learning to program
- nyjah 8y agoI know I am lucky to have this setup, but I keep 2 laptops and 2 tower computers or 4 separate computers. 1 for biz, 1 for downloading and email, 1pc for gaming, and 1 for activities best kept in private browsing..
- JacobJans 8y agoVery interesting. What kind of software do you have on the computers? Is there anything, beyond the physical separation, that supports the purpose of each device? (Maybe something as simple as physical location, color, a "sticker", or something else altogether.)
- nyjah 8y agoOnly software on the machines are strictly for what I am using them for. I have a router with a harddrive if I do download something and want to put it on another machine, but I don't remote desktop into them or anything. Each computer is on a separate desk, own monitor and mouse and keyboard. I just like it separate and not complicated. Keeps work stuff super focused and clean, for me. I could network them more if I wanted to, but gets the job done.
- JacobJans 8y ago> Keeps work stuff super focused and clean, for me. That's exactly why I find this setup so appealing; it really works with the natural tendencies of our minds, as opposed to constantly presenting us with a situation where we have to choose not to do one of the many distracting options just a twitch of the finger away.
- throwthisinthe 8y agoSo... a 'faptop'?
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- thaumasiotes 8y agoSomething seems off about learning general-purpose programming on a single-purpose device. How would you run your programs?
- AnimalMuppet 8y agoPretty clearly it has to have a way to run the programs you enter as you're learning to program. Otherwise it's a lousy device at teaching programming. Or have I missed your point?
- thaumasiotes 8y agoYes, learning programming because that's what you do on the learning-programming-machine is a great way to convince people that learning programming is a waste of time. You learn programming so you can do the things you want to do. Handicapping the device handicaps the whole project. On the other hand, if your machine is able to run the programs you write, then it isn't a single-purpose device.
- JacobJans 8y agoI think you're confusing purpose with functionality; they're not the same thing. Designing with a single purpose in mind determines the needed functionality; it does not limit it. Instead, the purpose supports the design decisions in relation to functionality.
- CognitiveLens 8y agoMany terminal-based programming environments allow you to run code - you essentially just need a REPL, but there are more sophisticated environments that could still be considered 'single purpose'
- DavidSJ 8y agoSingle purpose doesn’t mean non-programmable, it just means designed with a particular use case in mind (in this case, programming).
- excalibur 8y agoDumb phone -> Talk and text, no camera, no browser, cheap and readily available. Please?
- JacobJans 8y agoDevice -> Purpose iPhone -> sell apps & subscriptions Android phone -> sell ads / harvest user information
- AzMoo_ 8y agoThe Nokia 3310 is about as close as you'll get I think.
- excalibur 8y agoBought one. Physically removed the camera. Still has a browser and and app store, not to mention a builtin facebook app that can't be removed by the user. And the price point is around $60. There's no reason for a bare-bones dumbphone to have any of that shit, or for it to cost more than $20.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- drngdds 8y agoI really like the idea of ditching my smartphone for a dumbphone, but giving up Google Maps would be rough. Knowing the fastest way to get from point A to point B (including public transportation!) is genuinely really useful.