[Coco] The early days of Hacking and Coding a CoCo Was: Here's a CoCo 1 ...

[Bill Loguidice]

I think for 95% of the population, a good tablet will be all they'll ever
need, particularly as docking and connectivity options continue to evolve
(i.e., on-the-fly connectivity to other input devices and larger displays
as needed). For the other 5%, which includes a lot of us, a good desktop or
laptop is what we prefer. For me, personally, I have two main personal
systems, one is my desktop, which is tethered to two 27" monitors, and my
Surface Pro 2, which is a laptop/tablet/cintiq hybrid. Certainly something
like the Surface Pro 2 points to where the tablet form factor could be
headed, with modular expandability as needs dictate. Of course, with that
said, it's quite likely that our smartphones will continue to advance to
the point where they'll be the hub platform, and that that core module then
docks into whatever you want, be it a tablet shell, laptop shell, desktop
shell, etc. We're clearly headed down that route (and have had primitive
attempts at that idea before, like with the Motorola Atrix).

Anyway, for now, you can sort of liken who needs/desires "real" computers
with who owned personal computers like the CoCo back in the '80s. It's a
relatively small percentage of individuals, but notable enough where it
will likely always be a market worth serving. The difference now is that
instead of the rest of the population having nothing, they can use things
like tablets, which is kind of refreshing in that it seems almost everyone
can join in on the technological fun.

By the way, having used and owned (and continue to use and own) several
different types of smartphones and tablets, I certainly don't look down on
anyone using them for "real" work. I've done it in a pinch, and it's not
too bad really, and in some ways better than traditional form factors. At
the same time, certain things like multitasking are clumsier and they
really are best at consumption rather than creation. That balance will
continue to shift, however, no question. I mean, after all, these things
improve every six months, and at some point there'll be more than enough
power to spare to do all kinds of crazy things. We're already getting into
64-bit processors and multi-GB RAM capacities. As someone who loves
technology, I'm optimistic about the future and think we'll always have
something to serve our needs.

-Bill

===================================================
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director; Armchair Arcade,
Inc.<http://www.armchairarcade.com>
===================================================
Authored Books<http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Loguidice/e/B001U7W3YS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_1>and
Film <http://www.armchairarcade.com/film>; About me and other ways to get
in touch <http://about.me/billloguidice>
===================================================


On Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 12:54 AM, Aaron Wolfe <aawolfe at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 11:29 PM, Allen Huffman <alsplace at pobox.com>
> wrote:
>
> > I use my iPad for 95% of everything I do these days. Certain times of
> the year when I start doing a bunch of audio/video/web work, I use my
> computer most. I use a bluetooth keyboard, though, and with Airplay,
> beaming to a large monitor is nice.
> >
> > Robert X. Cringely has mused that this is the future for most of us --
> your phone, a keyboard and mouse, and monitor on your desk. It's always
> with you, and has most power than most of us need. High end games, video
> editors, etc. will be the ones with the full computers.
> >
> >> java.  Again, I don't know why.  Even the cheapest laptop or desktop
> would
> >> make a much more suitable tool.  I guess its one of those "because we
> can"
> >> things.
> >
> > "Because we can" is what led me to not using my computer much. I manage
> my wordpress blogs, my webhosting cpanels, can ssh in to my home Pi, VNC to
> the home computer, etc. And a few years ago I would have told you that was
> just stupid and useless and pointless except for an emergency.
>
> I didn't mean to imply anything was stupid or pointless.  Tablets just
> are not efficient at many of the things computers can do.  SSH is a
> good example.  That is something I do quite a bit and have tried on a
> tablet.  While you technically can do ssh, the experience is one of
> "making do" and constant compromises.  Imagine the very real scenario
> of needing to refer to a couple emails and a google search for some
> online documentation while working on a remote linux box via SSH.  On
> a tablet you can never see all three at the same time!  Better develop
> a strong short term memory.  Forget about trying to follow an online
> "how to" as you work through some process, and if your task involves
> multiple servers... argh its just not fun.  Even something as mundane
> as referring to one email while replying to another is incredibly
> tedious.  I pity a student trying to write a paper using a device that
> cannot even show you reference materials and your own text
> simultaneously.
>
> For the cost of an ipad plus bluetooth keyboard and mouse, you could
> have a very nice laptop capable of so much more than an ipad is, and
> when you compare traveling with ipad + kb + mouse, there isn't much
> gained in terms of portability vs a small laptop either.
>
> Cringley's vision of the future may be spot on, but today's tech isn't
> delivering that experience.  Tablets are fun, I have several and enjoy
> playing with them, but I really can't see them as any more than a
> stepping stone towards something better.
>
> $0.02
> -Aaron
>
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