What would make computing better?

[Sympology]

We keep getting told that everything will be convereged, this will happen, that will happen. But as end users, what would people like to happen within realistic timescales?(Please don't turn this into a x vs y thread). These tiems may exist, but are to expensive or rare.

I'm on about the sort of things that you think "That would be great".

For example, Universal connections? Take my Laptop, drop it into a dock and it uploads content from the PVR and set the alarm clock to remind me that I have to get up early to get to the airport. I've set my diary to say I'm on holiday for two weeks, so all the lights go into "security mode".

Stu..


Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[ajetrumpet]

Who keeps getting told?? Are you reading too many magazines??
I guess I don't know what you're talking about really...
As far as something happening, it's a fact that noone really knows, but if you want my opinion...it'll probably be about money, whatever it is. Isn't that what moves the world??

I took a $20 bill out of my wallet the other day in the grocery store and tore it up right in front of someone who I knew followed politics very closely. From her reaction and comments to me, I could tell that she had already lost it. Her mind is pretty much gone, not much common sense left in that woman....

 

[ajetrumpet]

X vs. Y?

 

[CajunCenturion]

What would make computing better?

Very simply, and to paraphrase the late Admiral, computing would be better if the computers did want I want them to do, not what I, or some other programmer, told them to do.

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[Sleidia]

The problem is that, the faster the computer get, the more OS makers boat their system with useless stuff.

So, we never end up with using all that great power in an efficient way.

That's what should change.

I'd say a simplified light-speed OS installed on a computer on steroids would make my day.

 

[CajunCenturion]

One of the problem that I've seen over the years is that as computers got faster and faster, programs became less and less efficient, relying on the speed of the machine to hide the slowness and inefficiency of mediocre programs.

Computing will be better when the quality of a program becomes a key metric in evaluating and compensating the programmer.

--------------
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[burtsbees]

Linux makes computing better, so if software developers could just get all the drivers worked out...

Burt

 

[ajetrumpet]

I've heard a lot about Linux lately...are they biting into Microsoft's market dominance like Apple?? That's all Microsoft needs...

 

[GlenJohnson]

The new internet will help.

http://www.ipv6.org/

Glen A. Johnson
If you like fun and sun, check out Tek-Tips Florida Forum
Don't forget to Buckle up. It works.

 

[jrbarnett]

I'd like to see compilers that would enforce a defined naming convention for variables, objects, controls etc, throwing an error if the code didn't meet the required standards.

It would help a lot enforce use of naming conventions within development.

John

 

[tfg13]

I would like to see the end of script kiddies (or vulnerabilities for that matter). Being a security professional, they bug the crap out of me.

 

[Grenage]

They also allow you to earn your crust.

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area" - Major Mike Shearer

 

[tfg13]

Unfortunately, I can report them up the chain, but nothing happens. Week after week, I seem to be reporting the same ones. Nothing like keeping the network safe by blocking "known" offenders.

Yes, it keeps me paid, but I have enough to do already.....

 

[Grenage]

Aye, I know. I also moan and bitch about people trying to break into our networks. Sad fact is. if they didn't, I'd need another job!

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area" - Major Mike Shearer

 

[pmonett]

Computing would be better for me if :

1) every new component didn't have its own, proprietary power converter. How many different versions of 12-watt converters do we need ? Taking that a step farther, computing would be a heck of a lot better if you could just daisy-chain any component to any other as it suits you, and it would still work normally on the PC the whole lot is attached to.

This would mean that I could connect my speakers to the screen without having to pull the power cord to an outlet, nor change the screen connections in any way.
I'd like to be able to connect my keyboard to my screen as well, without needing to change my screen in any way. Then my mouse could connect to the keyboard, again without changing anything else. If I need a temporary storage attachment, I'd like to be able to plug it into either screen or keyboard without worrying about connectivity or power, and unplug it when I'm finished.

2) I want to be able to configure my OS completely to my own needs. I do not want any setting that I cannot change - including default OS settings that are required for the functioning of the OS. I want to be able to move the Program Folder to a location of my choice, the Documents & Settings folder to a different location of my choice, and all that without having to follow a 24-step process banged out by some teen in a basement. Yes, I know that if the OS cannot find its library directory it will not boot. I have also enough experience in computing to understand that and correct the mistake if necessary. Keep the hand-holding options, just allow me to bypass them if and when I feel like it with a tool integrated to the OS and not hacker scripts I have to look for in non-official sites.

3) I want complete power over my OS and PC, but I do not want to be a Sysadmin at home. Don't make me read obscure - totally technica data in asking me a question. Formulate the options in a manner I can understand them, not the way the developer understands them.

4) Never, ever include code that phones home with data without actually explaining the data sent, showing it optionally, and allowing me to forbid it in on a case-per-case or general basis. Allow me to go over and change my opinion at any time of my choosing.
Addendum : never try to foist on me code that only restricts my private use and brings nothing but diminished performance in return for less freedom. Put your controls elsewhere than on my hardware.

5) Give me complete control over the installation procedure, if I wish it, and stop banging DLLs in the System32 folder without my approval. Why is it that every stupid app under the sun has to add 50 files in the system folder ?

6) Make apps that do what they say they do, and say all of what they do. No hidden features, no surprise effects, no taken-for-granted functionalities. Make the code do exactly what you say it will do and nothing more. If I want more, I'll come and get it.

7) Make the uninstall actually remove EVERY TRACE that was installed by the application - including registry entries and dubious hidden folders with wierd names that cannot be humanly traced back to the original app. This is not rocket science - there should be absolutely no difficulty in logging every install action properly and taking the necessary steps in reverse. This should be a core OS function, there should be no need for a 3rd-party add-on.

8) Make the Registry go away, permanently. Take it out behind the shed and put a bullet to it if necessary, but just MAKE IT GO AWAY. Ini files work for every single OS there is out there, why change what works ?


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I realize this list concerns almost exclusively Windows in its different versions. It's what I use and have used for the past 25 years or so, so cut me some slack.
I know other OSes are much more configurable (Linux), or "easier" to use (Mac, so I'm told), but I haven't tried them so I wouldn't know.

Pascal.


I've got nothing to hide, and I'd very much like to keep that away from prying eyes.

 

[Grenage]

but I haven't tried them so I wouldn't know

Go on, Pascal, try linux! Considering most of your gripes, it sounds like you'd get on with it.

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area" - Major Mike Shearer

 

[Sympology]

I tried Unbuntu

tried setting my my Wireless, gave up!

Windows 30 seconds.

Linux.. Apparently I had no built in ethernet and 2 wireless devices. To set up WEP I had to choose ASCI or HEX (well that's thrown 99% of people) and to add WPA...Ha ha ha ...sorry I have an outside life....

However, much better than when I tried it a few years ago...

Agree with many points.

I hanker for the good' ol days when code was mean and clean.

OS in ROM would be nice, think of the speed.....
Abilty to store & run apps in Flash Ram as well may be nice.

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[Grenage]

Took me 5 minutes to install wireless card drivers and get it running over WPA2, hardly difficult and I'd never looked at installing drivers before.

Flash RAM drives is already here, Stu.

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area" - Major Mike Shearer

 

[lionelhill]

A fun question, but one likely to encourage creeping featurism.

Most workplace PCs should (theoretically) be used mainly for typing letters, reading text-only e-mails, preparing fairly simple reports and spreadsheets, and such-like.

So why do they all need a processor capable of calculating the exact movements of every heavenly body or other moveable object (down to the last teaspoon) within a light-year, and 3d-hardware graphics support to display the result from any angle known to Martian life?

 

[burtsbees]

So you can put those skills on your resume.

Burt