MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - ASUSteK's answer to the Foleo: the Eee PC, and it's $200!

mogui · 06-13-2007, 08:00 AM

Some of this discussion has attempted to place a dimension on computer ability that is not quite relevant. If we look at computer ability as represented by a bell-shaped curve, at the lower levels, perhaps even a standard deviation to the left of the mean, we have those who could benefit from the five-button computing appliance.

At the other end of the curve we have those like alex_d and kovidgoyal who have the ability to deal with computers at any level of detail. In the middle we have those who are primarily users, and prefer a visual/kinesthetic user interface because it does everything they need.

Some of the factors in this ability of which we speak are cognitive style, intelligence and interest. Age is not a factor unless we are dealing with neurological immaturity or neuropathology. That was the point of my opening sentence.

As I computer professional and a leader and teacher of engineers, I have seen how cognitive style plays a part in our thinking about computers. If one is primarily verbal, one thinks sequentially in symbols. Discussions are usually in terms of labels. Memory plays an especially big part in this style of engineering mentality. This person is a natural for a CLI environment because it fits his style of thinking.

The visual thinker wants to see pictures. She likes visual representations of ideas in the form of flow diagrams and state charts. She will take to a GUI readily and will build graphical front ends for traditionally command-line tasks.

Then there is the kinesthetic individual. His "vision" of a device is from the inside. He can imagine the flow of a program as something happening in the air around him. He will point to processes in the air and discuss them. He moves as he thinks. His style is almost a visual style except it is turned inward. This person is often highly intuitive about device processes.

If we want to consider age a factor, our thinking might be restricted to the developing brain, as it has been pointed out here, developmental stages present unique problems.

Given a device like the Eee, one can provide a service for almost anyone in the bell-shaped curve. It will be very hackable, plus it will be designed to be easy to use. There is a need for the creation of an interface for those at the extreme left of the curve. Some elderly people who have started to lose their eyesight and who no longer think clearly need the "five button" interface.

I would like to see the five big buttons on a touchscreen. Each of them would be a distinct icon. You can decide for yourself what they might be, but here are some of mine:
1/ Play my music. 5 more buttons come up: classical, rock, etc.
2/ Call somebody. 5 names appear in huge letters -- a VoIP app.
3/ Call for help.
4/ Be a slideshow.
5/ Show me a movie: 5 choices appear.

You can imagine one of your own too I expect.

06-13-2007, 08:00 AM	#102
mogui eNigma Posts: 503 Karma: 1335 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The Philippines Device: HTC G1 Android FBReader	The discussion has morphed . . . Some of this discussion has attempted to place a dimension on computer ability that is not quite relevant. If we look at computer ability as represented by a bell-shaped curve, at the lower levels, perhaps even a standard deviation to the left of the mean, we have those who could benefit from the five-button computing appliance. At the other end of the curve we have those like alex_d and kovidgoyal who have the ability to deal with computers at any level of detail. In the middle we have those who are primarily users, and prefer a visual/kinesthetic user interface because it does everything they need. Some of the factors in this ability of which we speak are cognitive style, intelligence and interest. Age is not a factor unless we are dealing with neurological immaturity or neuropathology. That was the point of my opening sentence. As I computer professional and a leader and teacher of engineers, I have seen how cognitive style plays a part in our thinking about computers. If one is primarily verbal, one thinks sequentially in symbols. Discussions are usually in terms of labels. Memory plays an especially big part in this style of engineering mentality. This person is a natural for a CLI environment because it fits his style of thinking. The visual thinker wants to see pictures. She likes visual representations of ideas in the form of flow diagrams and state charts. She will take to a GUI readily and will build graphical front ends for traditionally command-line tasks. Then there is the kinesthetic individual. His "vision" of a device is from the inside. He can imagine the flow of a program as something happening in the air around him. He will point to processes in the air and discuss them. He moves as he thinks. His style is almost a visual style except it is turned inward. This person is often highly intuitive about device processes. If we want to consider age a factor, our thinking might be restricted to the developing brain, as it has been pointed out here, developmental stages present unique problems. Given a device like the Eee, one can provide a service for almost anyone in the bell-shaped curve. It will be very hackable, plus it will be designed to be easy to use. There is a need for the creation of an interface for those at the extreme left of the curve. Some elderly people who have started to lose their eyesight and who no longer think clearly need the "five button" interface. I would like to see the five big buttons on a touchscreen. Each of them would be a distinct icon. You can decide for yourself what they might be, but here are some of mine: 1/ Play my music. 5 more buttons come up: classical, rock, etc. 2/ Call somebody. 5 names appear in huge letters -- a VoIP app. 3/ Call for help. 4/ Be a slideshow. 5/ Show me a movie: 5 choices appear. You can imagine one of your own too I expect.