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Victor points a software design that can be implemented, two mice, even two text cursors if designed that way. What about today's tools isn't alighted with Eng

by adamio 13y ago

Victor points a software design that can be implemented, two mice, even two text cursors if designed that way. What about today's tools isn't alighted with Engelbart's vision? Everything? That seems a bit too broad

icegreentea 13y ago
Well, it's partly because the article is a bit narrow minded. Well, thats what I feel anyways. As the article rightfully points out, what matters is intent, not the actual technical means of implementation, or even how it appears. We do have modern "screen-sharing" applications with multiple cursors. Just take a look at Google Docs. The "problem" of today's tools is that computing technology went through this phase called the "PC" in which single-user interaction was all there was, and we went ahead and found efficient methods of single-user interaction, and then taught entire generations to think based on that metaphor.
- gbhn 13y ago
  This is an excellent point, and I also think that Victor's interpretation of Engelbart's priorities is really interesting: what if we made computer tools powerful enough to enable high-bandwidth creative cooperation? Would that open up new areas of hyper-productive human activity that we've only sporadically seen up to now, when small groups of like-minded people happen to be put into a facilitating environment at the same time? What if that were the norm, because you could find such people -- right for you -- anywhere in the world, and work with them all your life, not just until this project funding ran out, or someone graduated, or got a new job, or whatever. That's what I think Bret Victor is aiming to find out, and that's why I think a lot of people are really excited by what he's saying.
- meowface 13y ago
  I am curious what he thought of Google Docs. I agree that it seems very similar to the kind of collaboration he envisioned.

by adamio 13y ago

icegreentea 13y ago

Well, it's partly because the article is a bit narrow minded. Well, thats what I feel anyways. As the article rightfully points out, what matters is intent, not the actual technical means of implementation, or even how it appears. We do have modern "screen-sharing" applications with multiple cursors. Just take a look at Google Docs. The "problem" of today's tools is that computing technology went through this phase called the "PC" in which single-user interaction was all there was, and we went ahead and found efficient methods of single-user interaction, and then taught entire generations to think based on that metaphor.

gbhn 13y ago
This is an excellent point, and I also think that Victor's interpretation of Engelbart's priorities is really interesting: what if we made computer tools powerful enough to enable high-bandwidth creative cooperation? Would that open up new areas of hyper-productive human activity that we've only sporadically seen up to now, when small groups of like-minded people happen to be put into a facilitating environment at the same time? What if that were the norm, because you could find such people -- right for you -- anywhere in the world, and work with them all your life, not just until this project funding ran out, or someone graduated, or got a new job, or whatever. That's what I think Bret Victor is aiming to find out, and that's why I think a lot of people are really excited by what he's saying.
meowface 13y ago
I am curious what he thought of Google Docs. I agree that it seems very similar to the kind of collaboration he envisioned.