Note: This column represents the opinions
of the writer and as such, is not purported as fact
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I read with interest that use of the web browser is declining in favour of
other tools such as instant messaging and email -- and this raises an
interesting question: is the browser slowing the development of Net use?
When you think about it, browsers are a fairly primitive tool -- effectively
acting as little more than the same batch-mode terminal mainframe users will
remember from forty years ago.
Oh sure, there's now a nice GUI interface, we have graphics, animation and
other eye-candy, but the mode of operation is virtually identical and consists
of sending a bunch of data to be displayed on a user's screen and then, when
necessary, receiving back a block of data input by that user.
The Aardvark PC-Based Digital
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Yes, at last, this feature
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Hypertext linking has simplified use somewhat -- but there's not really
that much difference between a hypertext link and a simple text menu when
you scrutinise both closely.
So are we still using this simple block-mode communications model because
it's still the most effective solution to the problem of data display
and entry -- or are we just failing to innovate?
Things such as Java ActiveX (shudder) and Flash have been bold attempts
to enhance or even break away from the batch-mode terminal model.
By offloading some of the work associated with interactivity onto the user's
PC, these technologies have had the potential to turn our PCs into something
little more than flashy terminals connected to the Net -- but I don't
think that even these strategies have really pushed the envelope very much.
P2P and instant messaging on the other hand have been something more of a
breakthrough if only because they allow our terminals to talk directly to
each other rather than through a central server.
And let's not forget media-player applications. At least they allow us to
go beyond simple text, graphics and animation -- offering true video
and high-quality stereo sound. But aren't these simply audiovisual terminals?
The reality is that it has taken a multi-billion dollar industry to really
turn our Net-connected computers into something more than a fancy block-mode
terminal. Can you guess what it is?
I'm talking about online gaming of course.
Hook your PC (or your Xbox) up to the Net and suddenly it becomes a source
and sink of interactivity with other machines on the Net. Your every move
is relayed to a network of other players -- and theirs to you.
Not only is your local processor sweating its boots off trying to keep up
with all the onscreen action -- but data packets are ricochetting off your
data modem at a good rate of knots.
Come to think of it -- the games industry is now largely responsible for relentless
pace at which CPUs have gotten faster and video displays have become more
sophisticated.
Let's face it -- nobody using MS Word or your average spreadsheet application
is going to rush out and buy the latest 99GHz Pentium-12 processor with
double widget memory overbyte and hyperbus drive with fluffy dice -- are they?
No, it's those seeking the ultimate gaming experience who are demanding more
MIPs, bigger displays, larger hard drives, etc, etc.
My how the industry has changed...
Does anyone remember when computer design and capacities were driven by
the needs of science and business -- with games being diversions written
by programmers during their lunch-breaks and being limited to soaking up
a few idle CPU cycles? Yes, games got a free ride on the back of the needs
of business -- now the situation is completely reversed.
Long live computer games!
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