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Hi Folks!
The following document was written and copyrighted in 1991;
http://www.peak.org/~jeremy/calculators/hdpd.html
It is interesting because of what we are seeing now precisely with such
devices...yes, predictable in a way, and now we find them as Palm
Pilots, digital books, organizers, etc..all of which become smaller,
easier to use and more ubiquitous as the years pass.
It intrigues me that many science fiction stories predict what
eventually comes to pass, that the inspiration from such a book can lead
to actual implementation of it in hardware.
I remember years ago reading about 'slow glass' in a science fiction
story. It was based on the fact that glass was an amorphous material
which would literally 'flow' over time and in its flow would capture and
record what incoming light and images.
This particular version of 'slow glass' would capture light and release
it 100 years later..<g>...well, that was the storyline. As I recall,
this glass was placed in areas with panaoramic or relaxing vistas, then
collected/harvested 100 years later when they would be sold for a hefty
price.
Once the 100 year period occurred, the glass could be installed in a
house with the REAR side facing outwards, so that over the next 100
years, anything that had been captured within the glass would be
released. Seems a murder had been committed within sight of one such
glass and it was the key to catching the killer, by waiting for the
image to appear. Its been so many years ago that I don't recall the
exact story, but the idea of 'slow glass' was intriguing.
This recent discovery of using a Bose Einstein Condensate to slow light
down to 38 miles per hour just amazes me because the 'slow glass' seems
to have anticipated this discovery just as the Pocket Daemon predicted
or I think anticipated the useful tools we have in modern times.
Here is the URL about the slowing down of light if you missed it;
http://dallastexas.net/keelynet/archive/00002714.htm
It is curious because the more people who are exposed or inspired to
think beyond the normal 'beliefs' of current science, the more novel and
original are their thoughts and imagination as applied to achieving the
impossible.
Things such as many of us are seeking/anticipating in the way of;
1) free energy in the form of 'perpetual batteries' that would be
self-contained within every appliance and vehicle so that it would
operate anywhere without need of outside fuel, enabling people to live
anywhere and provide all the power they needed - LOCALLY; air
conditioning, precipitation of water directly from the air or
desalinization, waste disposal, lighting, motive power, hydroponics and
localized farming to grow their own foods, atmospheric nitrogen fixing
for soil enrichment, etc.
2) gravity control to allow us to swim or fly through the air with
massively reduced weight, that would apply to vehicles, interstellar
craft, exploration, COLONIZATION of other planets and wasted areas of
the earth, recreation, sports, health, etc....the converse of DECREASING
weight means we could also INCREASE weight at will
3) electronic health opens up the possibility of scanning a body for
it's current virtual state condition daily or weekly, measure any
anomalies which would result in dysfunction or potential disease, apply
frequency, magnetics, light, or electrostatics to cancel those
conditions and assure the subject an optimized physical and energetic
pattern at all times
For years, I have envisioned using the kinesiological response elicited
in 'muscle testing'. This response would be detected by a wristband
which would sense a decrease or increase in the body energy levels
indicating the presence of noxious (enharmonic, destructive) or
beneficial (harmonic, life/health giving) energy, NO MATTER WHAT THE
SOURCE.
This way you would get a YES (green light) or NO (red light) response.
The more advanced version would allow a plus or minus gradient as a
deviation from a center reference energy level that was based on an
average of your overall body energy level over a 12 hour or so period.
Using such a plus or minus deviation from the reference you could detect
how bad (minus/negative/deterimental) or how good
(plus/positive/beneficial) the proximal influence was.
That influence could be air, food, people, machinery, you name it, the
circuit only shows if its good or bad for you, THE REASON IS IRRELEVANT,
as your body is reacting to what Colson and Lakhovsky called 'a war of
radiations'..of course meaning frequencies that interfere or enhance.
Such a device would allow your body to respond and TELL YOU when you
were in the presence of substances or environments that would hurt or
help your health.
Touch a vegetable, fruit, food on a plate, a drink, a canned food and
know if its good FOR YOUR BODY...everything with regard to YOUR health
is relative and referenced to how it affects your overall body energy.
Using such a device, we could ensure that we exposed our body ONLY to
life and health giving influences, again no matter the source, your body
knows because it RECOILS IN HORROR..<g>..when attacked or in the
presence of enharmonious frequencies from TO YOU poisonous materials,
people or situations.
The same applies to MEDICINES...you touch a pill, if it shows negative,
cut the pill in half, if it still shows negative, try 1/4, if it still
shows negative, this medicine, though believed to be good, ISN'T GOOD
FOR YOU based on your own body's response.
It would also apply to interactions with people. It would be the
closest thing to a 'Truth Detector' yet.
David Hudson claims that people who take the monoatomic version of gold
or other elements become so internally superconducting that their energy
level increases and awakens psychic powers...the result, no one COULD
ever lie as everyone would know your thoughts and emotions....but that's
another story.
With regard to that book, 'The Truth Machine', I remember reading about
it but never read the book. It's 2:30AM, so I did a search on the book
as additional material for this email and I was blown away that the
author had decided to post the ENTIRE BOOK on the Internet.
This is what the more advanced - forward thinking authors and publishers
are doing...they know very few people will read an entire book online or
print it out...they will skim through and if they get hooked, they will
buy a hardcopy version. I saw a statistic that sales of books doubled
once it had been posted to the net in its entirety and coupled to a URL
where the hardcopy version could be purchased!!
Anyway, you might want to read through this book as it shows how such a
machine would affect and forever alter society if no one could ever tell
a lie and get away with it;
http://www.garbowmedia.com/truthmachine/bookgate.html
To my knowledge there are two possible ways to create a machine that
would fulfill such a miraculous requirement;
1) David Oates reverse speech where he claims the subconscious CANNOT
LIE, so question a person on the subject under suspicion, record the
speech, play it backwards at various speeds and let a voice processor
analyze for valid speech phrases and words, note to which questions the
comments were responding in forward play mode (I know as I took his
$1000 course..<g>.), then use Davids and/or others techniques to print
out an analysis of what was REALLY being said during the questioning or
interview process
2) Such a kinesiologic wristband would allow detection of proximal
energy fields which would harm or help the body, that means it could
indicate when someone near you was bad for you, though not specific as
to the nature, as my Great Aunt Mert used to tell us, 'if you feel
uncomfortable in a situation, LEAVE'...'if you stay, you deserve what
you get'...this has saved my bacon on countless occasions...Ms. Mert is
deceased but she lives on in my family's memories. Again it doesn't
matter WHY they are bad, the body just KNOWS and you should LEAVE or
suffer the consquences..<g>..
I think that the more people who think about something, the sooner the
much bandied cliche of a 'paradigm shift' or '100th monkey effect' will
occur. People are naturally curious and just can't get away from
thinking of better, newer, more novel ways to accomplish miracles.
It is my hope that the more people who read about free energy, gravity
control and electronic health...who THINK about it and who possibly fund
or experiment with it, the sooner we will achieve success in any one of
these arenas...with regard to free energy and gravity, I happen to
personally think they are directly linked, so to discover one will
immediately or shortly thereafter lead to the other.
So, that's my prediction of what I feel will be the most useful and
widely sold device in history, the 'Personal Protection Daemon' which
allows anyone to let their body tell them when they are in danger.
-- Jerry Wayne Decker / jdecker@keelynet.com http://keelynet.com / "From an Art to a Science" Voice : (214) 324-8741 / FAX : (214) 324-3501 KeelyNet - PO BOX 870716 - Mesquite - Republic of Texas - 75187--------------3B21179EF18Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1; name="hdpd.html"Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printableContent-Disposition: inline; filename="hdpd.html"Content-Base: "http://www.peak.org/~jeremy/calculator s/hdpd.html"
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The Handy Dandy Pocket Dæmon Copyright (c) Jeremy Smith 1991
The Handy Dandy Pocket Dæmon
It is the year 1998. The setting is a commuter train station. =People mill around waiting for their train. Some people can be seenusing small handheld computers. Each computer looks surprisinglysimilar to the rest even though they are all functioning quitedifferently.
A lawyer presses a series of buttons and his handheld dials aclient at home. They talk for 15 minutes while the lawyer updates hisclient. The machine records the duration of the call automatically. =After the lawyer hangs up, the computer prompts him to enter notesabout the conversation into its files, carefully directing him througha pre-set sequence of possible follow up items. When he arrives at hisoffice he will hook the device up to his office computer system wherebilling, action, and appointment updates can be made to the mainsystem. When he has finished with his notes, his computer makes apleasant sound to get his attention as it displays his schedule. Hehas one more call to make, the computer stands by with "Ready toDial..."
Nearby an advertising copywriter browses through his projectfiles and updates and edits a few pieces that are due this week, a softbeeping sound alerts him to information in his tickler file, hissisters 25th birthday. The computer displays her phone number, andsays "Ready to dial..."
A student is reading a book. Stumbling on some more obtuse wordsshe yanks out her handy dandy gizmo and refers to the online dictionaryfor meanings. And whilst she's at it, also accesses the onlineencyclopaedia to fill in referenced details about some old cultures shehas not previously studied.
A sales woman sorts through her daily schedule, and tracks herbids and follow-ups. She suddenly remembers a small detail, accessesher supplier list, dials a phone number and requests a quote. She asksthe clerk to refer to her project number when giving the estimate. Shepresses an addendum button which displays her current bid list and tagsthe file incomplete she breathes a sigh of relief as she adds up t=hepotential blunder. She opens up her expense files and adds in a fewlast items before faxing it into accounting...
A young boy borrows his mothers device to compute how manymilliseconds late the train is.
Introduction
The purpose of this article is to create in the imagination anidea, a concept of a device that is inherently simple to use but ofgreat use to people in their general day-to-day activities. Really,everything can be built right now, or a close enough approximation. Itshould just have enough room to absorb new technical developments asthey appear.
The existence of the idea is all that is important. The idea actsas a focus to grow towards. It does not matter if the idea is notreached. Going towards it will clarify other more fruitful paths. Ifit is good the idea will materialize as devices. More likely, parts ofthe idea may materialize and these devices would give rise to newpossibilities as yet unimagined. The idea will grow, or the envisioneddevice will have additional scope. It's not important that the deviceenvisioned may not be possible. Its reality may become apparent simplyby moving and building towards it. And if the idea reachesfantastically far enough whatever is built in an effort in thatdirection will be a worthwhile device.
What is presented is an exploration of the idea or concept of thedevice. The clearer the idea then the easier it is for the imaginationto ponder its creation rather than dwell on trying to clarify the idea.
Now is the time because technology has reached a point where itis feasible to consider this unrealized dream. We could design it now,but we must design it first.
When we have a clear vision - then we can build towards it, andthe interim steps will be neat - and fun! :-).
For the sake of discussion we'll refer to the device as hdpd -the Handy Dandy Pocket Dæmon. This is a handheld device with a bui=ltin TV, radio, telephone, VCR controller, games, scanner, and the usualcalculator and notebook computer features. The symbol for the deviceis /\. I have ended up calling it the h-dpd, pronounced h-dippity= (hotdippity).
The concept is /\. The vision I want to turn into reality is t=hemachine that helps us turn vision into reality. It is beyond handheldcomputer, beyond informator. It is alluded to in science fiction - forinstance the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy. (The hitch-hikersguide, a handheld, graphics device, that's main function was to provideinformation about any locale in the galaxy also provided plenty ofuseful information, sometimes by connecting with big computerselsewhere.) The machine we want is /\. This machine does everyth=ing auser could and will expect. The device is as commonplace as are TV andradio.
The paradigm is human day to day activity. PC's make anexcellent paradigm but for only part of what we want. They are greatfor Word processing, graphics, and such but little used as a measuringinstrument. Both because people who need measuring instruments, suchas scientists, are outnumbered by everyone else, and also because ofthe inherent complexity.
People are part of the loop (see below). People are an integralpart of the machine; it should not be considered in isolation. Thisdoes not mean it is built ergonomically (that goes without saying) butbuilt as an intuitive extension of a person's day to day activities. =If a person from another planet tried to use it he would be frustrated;it is built for humans and their particular activities.
A machine that will sell is necessary; it is, therefore,addressed to different kinds of people. The machine is inherentlyflexible. (This can capitalize on the eventuality of visitation bylarge numbers of benign, rich aliens.)
A strong, clear, ambitious focus is needed.
This is the functional evolution of laptop and handheldcomputers.
Why Dæmon?
A meaning of d=91mon is an inner or attendant spirit; a genius ("thedemon of creativity"). It meanings run the gamut from `one's good angel'=to evil spirit, with connotations the same as imp and pixie somewherebetween. "Any sufficiently advanced technology would beindistinguishable from magic." -Arthur C. Clark. Pocket computer israther blah, especially for one of such great power as envisioned. D&ael=ig;monis powerful, magical, personal, playful, canny.
Evolutions
Looking at the evolution of existing hardware and software showsimportant progressions. Machines become faster, better, and cheaper. =Software becomes easier to use. Functionality increases, although itis expected to be used as before.
I have written elsewhere about the Toshiba 1100, Tandy 100 andHP-41, which represent major milestones in this evolution. The PoqetPC is the latest milestone. Also I have written about the continuingdevelopments of LCDs, smaller, faster, more powerful CPUs, etc. Allthese point to the possibility of some amazing small devices; lets make`em!Reiterating: It's important to have something to aim for, so that wecan add new stuff to our designs as they are invented, rather thanbecoming aware of a new invention and scurrying around to find a deviceto build around it.
It was of great interest to note that the Tandy model 100 notebook computer - when it first came out - was seen in abundance at thePPC clubhouse. Now as an adjunct to the scientific and engineeringfunctions it was possible to add a text processing feature.
The evolution of the small computers has been quite random. Ithas been driven by what the ambient technology could do to satiate thecurrent fad. It was not predetermined or thought out. It could be. =It could be more directed by considering the long term, educatedguessing, and consulting with visionaries.
The TI Silent 700 portable printing terminal was used a lot inindustry, showing the need for portability. The Tandy 100 brought notetaking to the briefcase. Since this was at the time the DOS machineswere really expanding surely the next machine to make was a DOS laptopwith a floppy disc. It seemed like forever for Toshiba to fill thebill, and, of course the Toshiba 1100 started a whole new wave oflaptops. It was stunning that Tandy did not follow their own model 100with a DOS variant (until after the market was already flooded) butinstead brought out slightly upgraded 100's? The NEC ultralight showedhow small these things could become, and then Poqet (and now HP withthe 95lx) went yet another step in the right direction.
The chart above suggests some possible evolutionary paths andtheir relative directions. Apart from the HP calculators, which remainunchallenged, it highlights the lack of direction by any one company,especially in the direction we are interested in.
Laptops
A lot of folks felt that the sudden plethora of laptops wasunprecedented, but it made those same tools more available to theperson, closer to home, accessible all of the time. This is a hiddenattraction of laptop computers - they are more personal. (Personal -nobody is messing with `your stuff' - and you can customize it all theway, any way you want.)
Notebooks
Notebook computers are all but burying `regular' laptopcomputers. Recently they were merely expected to do as well as laptopcomputers. They are now defining the smaller end of computing by thelimiting factor of screen and keyboard.
Handhelds
A calculator provides instant answers to the numerical universe. =The next step is greater sophistication. For instance, a graphicaldisplay, rather than a matrix of registers containing coordinates.
The handheld computer is one that goes in the pocket. Since thisexcludes big screen and keyboard it limits the capabilities. Theglaringly obvious way around this is to make available a portablescreen and keyboard. These can be very low cost peripherals, makingthe handheld as useful as a full notebook computer, whilst stillretaining the advantages of a pocket computer. It always seemed to methat the two missing peripherals from the HP-IL system were the screenand keyboard.
Software
The PC industry boomed because it made a tool that covered manymore areas beyond numbers. (I still think that Word processing is themain.) The four self defining functions of the tool were db (database)ss (spreadsheet) wp (word processing) comms (communications). Graphicsenhances all of these, especially word processing -> desk toppublishing (dtp). In the meantime the general tool is expanding.
db ss comms wp graphics sidekick DOS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | v v v v v v vhuge mathe- Net dtp audio PIMS sys utilsmemory matica works, video Proj. (xtree) LAN manag. (Norton's)(That's why Lotus & dBase are such dinosaurs; they aren't evolving -just getting bigger.)
It is important to monitor software development in the area ofthe human interface. Xerox PARC's latest research shows ways ofinteracting with data (Byte 4/91). This kind of idea is needed butspecialized for the handheld/portable environment.
Levels of abstraction
The allure of a calculator is that it is a portable, interactivethinking device, but currently restricted to the world of numbers. The28c is the next step in that it can handle abstractions with algebra,calculus; mathematical methods as applied to numbers, not just the rawnumbers. The hdpd would do this in realms other than mathematics. =Just look at the kinds of software showing up on desktops. As thechart above suggests, things like word processing are evolving intodesktop publishing, and whereas sidekick was once the hot TSR, now wehave highly sophisticated project management tools.
Future /\ is the future.
The Machine
The machine we want is /\. This machine does everything a user=could and will expect. It embodies the idea that there are fourfundamental functions which can be accomplished within a handheld unit,and some are particularly suited to handheld use.
The four basic functions:
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D[Table 1]| |Function |Metaphor |Noticeable |Examples = || | | |Attributes | = |+=3D+=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D+=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D+=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D+=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D+|1|Idea Capturing|Back of an envelope |Convenient |Day timing = || |Device |Calculator |Hand held |Data collection= || |(Collection) |Diary |Handy |Word Processing= || |(Assimilation)|Notepad |Flexible |Programmable = |+-+--------------+----------------------+----------------+---------------=--+|2|Answer Machine|Dictionary |Accessible |Context Sensiti=ve|| |(Information) |Databases | |Help on Life = || | |Encyclopaedia | |Dictionary = || | |Library | |Encyclopaedia = |+-+--------------+----------------------+----------------+---------------=--+|3|Tool |Bar code reader |Interactive tool|Controller, = || |(Manipulation)|Barometer (pressure) |Read environment|Measuring = || | |Computer |Control devices |instrument = || | |Electronic screwdriver| | = || | |Humidity | | = || | |Oscilloscope | | = || | |Remote TV & VCR | | = || | |control Scanner | | = || | |Thermometer (temp.) | | = |+-+--------------+----------------------+----------------+---------------=--+|4|Communication |CB |Connectedness |Telephone, = || |(Connectivity)|Modem | |TV, = || | |Networks | |Radio, = || | |Radio | |Modem, = || | |Telephone | |Fax = || | |TV | | = |=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3DIdea Capturing Device
Ideas -> {apprehend ideas, take notes, gather thoughts, collectdata} -> process data -> Result {concept, realization}
Right now: {crunch numbers, process words, edit text, paintgraphics}.
Capturing an idea means having an idea, recording the essence ofthe idea, processing the idea, crystallizing the idea. Thecrystallized idea is something palpable, a work of art, an essay, adiagram, a machine.
At this time handheld units allow engineers and scientists tocapture mathematical and engineering ideas (HP), business peoplecapture organizational ideas (daytimers, Sharp's Wizard), and writersexpress their ideas by writing (small laptops). This moves towards adevice that captures all ideas.
I had previously wanted a handheld computer with a screen andkeyboard to enable capturing of words and visibly manipulating theresults. Now that serious notebook computers are here I'd be happywith a damn good interface between the two. This would includeseamless software tools on the notebook for programming the handheldcomputer, and easy transferring of data between the machines.
Idea capturing device; i.e. most of the PPC/HPX/CHHU/HPCC folksare scientists, engineers, math nerds, either professionally or ashobbyists. Therefore their ideas are often capturable by a handheldcalculator.
Idea capturing devices are on the increase. For instance someonehas just written a WordPerfect macro for the express purpose of doingjust that.
Creative ideas come at the darndest moments. When you arecommissioned to create something, you sign the contract, sit in frontof a blank notepad, and stare. For most people ideas come whilst theyare in the midst of some task that occupies a lot of their attention.
Imagine having a continuum of video and sound recording going onat all times to record everything, so that if anything significanthappened at any time (child does something ingratiatingly cute,verbalize the original thought of the 20th century) it is `captured'. =Then shortly after you can get the replay and record it for posterity,revel in it, or bore my friends to death!.
In the professional world your profession is what you work ondaily, but your mind works on it all the time in random spurtsthroughout the day and night. To be able to capture these processes iswhat we want.
I not only have thoughts of science, but also words which I wantto capture, and record. But I want things in appropriate perspective. =I have recorded my thought or event; how does it fit into the world, myschedule, the universe, my current knowledge? A lifetime of studywould accomplish this backdrop.
Answer Machine
Jerry Pournell said that by the year 2000, anyone in Westerncivilization could, at reasonable cost, get the answer to anyanswerable question (InfoWorld v12 #36, page 56, 3rd September 1990). =Hdpd should have, for instance, all equations, formulae, tables,dictionaries, encyclopaedia, and in all subjects. Since it will haveaccess to all answers in globally available databases (seecommunications below) this information may not necessarily reside onhdpd itself.
A life assistant - digital, context sensitive encyclopaedia - thehitch-hiker's guide to the galaxy.
Tools
Tools measure basic things - don't have to be overly complex orattempt to replace sophisticated measuring devices. But it shouldsatisfy the basic requirements of any high school student doing hisbasic physics and math, and other science.
This handheld unit is a controller of all electronic units (VCR,TV, home security systems, electronic devices, electronic screwdriver,electronic swiss army knife, custom business and industrialapplications). This is accomplished by IR, RF, and direct hook up. =Note that the emphasis would be manipulate the environment created byman, rather than the natural environment; the universal controller ofall man made devices.
It also has means for measuring the environment, time and date,temperature (shove it, and see if you have a fever!), pressure,humidity, volts, amps, ohms.
Communications
Real time and preprogrammed connection (again via IR, RF, director modem) to any other handheld or non-portable (PC, mini, mainframe,super) for the purpose of interaction as well as database access andmonitoring remote processes.
The continuing development of hardware and software willincreasingly be able to support these functions.
Description [Dream on]
The machine is a little smaller than an HP 48, but otherwisequite similar in appearance. The top 1/3 devoted to screen and thebottom 2/3 with buttons.
[cpu]
The cpu is a standard high speed, low power multi=user multi tasking device running off the batteries, though in a pinchit can run off solar cells or even use power from radio waves via aspecial built in emergency circuit.The machine is ALWAYS on; you can stab in a few numbers and seethe sum, even if the machine has been idle for days lost in the back ofthe couch. After a short period of inactivity it goes into variousdeep sleep modes, and even logs off any active remote sessions. Allidle processes can be resumed as soon as activity resumes, evenrelogging onto the remote sessions and picking up where left off. Oryou can circle a bunch of process icons with the plencil (see below)and nuke them.
The cpu is designed and optimized to support four (4)simultaneous tasks, since this answers most needs. The firmware andsoftware support any number of tasks. If a user uses six tasksregularly he can request the machine to optimize itself for six tasks,or to devote specific percentages of operation to tasks. By itself thehdpd monitors the system and reconfigures it to optimize for the numberof tasks occurring.
[Screen]
The color LCD screen is extremely high resolution so= thatgraphics look just like color photographs, or HDTV in the case ofvideo. Whilst viewing text the font size is controlled by a zoom sothat as you zoom in the text gets larger and larger, and as you pan outit becomes smaller and smaller so that, if you happen to be looking atformatted pages of text (and graphics) you see the pages laid out sideby side, and one above the other in a virtually endless (userdefinable) matrix.Any thing that appears on the screen is editable. It supportswindows, though this is more applicable when working with a largerscreen (see below).
[Keyboard]
The keyboard is really uncluttered since some cu=rsor,number, and a few basic functions keys are all that are needed. Folkshave for years wanted LCD tops (key caps), and these finally have them,such that when redefining any key the new function appears right on thekey top. It is also an interactive keyboard; if some function isexpecting a certain key to be pressed it will make that key's legend(or graphic) brighter or softly blink.Any other input device such as mice, roller balls, isopoints,voice input, light wands, and other regular digitizing kinds of devicesis easily added, but surely the niftiest of all is the `plencil.' Itis a piece of plastic the size and shape of a small pencil, pointed atone end and made of materials that pick up and hold a charge fromambient static. By using different proportions of the charge sensitivematerial down the length of the plencil it maintains a specific, self-regulating charge at the tip. The screen is sensitive to thisparticular charge. When interacting with something via the screen theplencil is used to `prod' at various points, much like in the old dayswith windows and a mouse. All functions, menus, windows, icons andother screen entities are accessible by prodding around. Text can behand written in. A special verify point can be used to allow inputs,which can be adjusted to allow greater or lesser editing beforesomething is changed permanently.
The one drawback of the plencil is that people keep losing themand then ordering new ones. This means that somewhere the environmentis filling up with them. However, new cellulose plastic based onesthat work as well have been tested in the lab, and these are morebiodegradable.
It's especially fun, when logged into the newsbases, to sit theretooling around with the plencil, scanning your favorite subjects,whipping off notes to the authors letting them know just what youthink, requesting clarification on some new development, logging intoyour personal network and exchanging gossip, or even just flippingthrough a glossy catalog checking out pictures of the latest styles ofhdpd's. As is normal with such catalogs these days, there is a cornershowing proposals for possible future models with an invitation forfeedback.
Thanks to the development of solid state, low power, soundgenerating devices the association of small gizmos with piezoelectricbeeps will soon be no more than a brief entry in the computer folklore. =Watching TV and video's is like you're there in the scenes, especiallywhen using headphones to enhance the stereo possibilities (and implyingtact in necessary circumstances). Listening to a book is fun; the textautomatically translated into well formed words with good resonance andintonation. Illustrations have an associated text box (nominally athousand words; the cheaper services put merely `figure 1.' whereassome go so far as to put in a veritable critique from a professionalartist) that when enabled are inserted, with a reference, as they areencountered during the rendition. In this way you can just kick backand listen to anything from `War and Peace' to work by Dr. Suess withequal impact. Invoking the translator allows you to brush up on chinesor ukrainian, or hear foreign texts in your native language, butanything deeper than plain narrative still requires real translation. =Fortunately there are few classics (and most things printed prior tothe mid 19c) that haven't been well translated into languagesunderstood by 90% of the world's population.
For regular bells and whistles of the more interactiveapplications there is a delightful array of hisses, whispers, shrieksand wails. Based upon research into human hearing, what people hearand why, this array of sounds simulate natural sounds. After a personhas worked with it for a while, and customized it, the sounds can alertthem, even at some distance, without shocking everyone else in thevicinity, or conversely they CAN alert everyone around. The soundbased on the baby's cry is picked up further by females, whereas thesound based on the quiet predatory growl is picked by everyone (slightbias towards males) but doesn't carry very far. It's fun to put abunch of hdpd's in a room set to just interact with ambient sound. =Once they've settled it sounds like a cave full of slightly grumpyanimals trying to take a nap despite the noise.
The primary peripherals (apart from hard copy - see below) arestill a full sized keyboard and screen.
[I/O]
All peripherals connect using the now industrystandard high speed multi-universal protocol. This takes into accountthe medium (actual wire, IR, RF, ultrasonic, etc.) and the distance(near: across a desk; medium: across a building; and far: the nearestsatellite). Each medium has an optimum range of distance, and onetakes over automatically from another during, say, distance changes(e.g. travel) or if one were to fail or be blocked. Any, of course,can be disabled, for obvious reasons; people working around animals(especially bats) disable the ultrasonics.[I/O ->]
The peripheral screen is a regular high definitio=ncolor LCD but with the new `neon-glow' brightness feature that imbuesregular graphics with an almost palpable three dimensional realism. =These screens are neat; the size of a regular piece of paper and aboutthe an eighth of an inch thick, they are flexible like a rubber placemat. The first commercials showed them, of course, draped overbranches whilst displaying full screen analogue clocks in simulatingthe famous surrealist paintings of Salvador Dali.They connect to the hdpd by a thin cable. One could use theultrasonic, IR, RF or any other connection, but the actual wire, notinconvenient, keeps down interference and eavesdropping, especially onclose proximity to others using theirs. Being the interesting personthat you are you know they would only be offended to see what youroutinely do.
The new holographic screen is surely the ultimate, providing full3D effect. Even though they're in full production, however, they seemslow to catch on. Perhaps it is the expense, or the dearth of devicesfor all applications, but oracles reckon within a few decade they'llobsolete everything else.
[I/O <-]
There is the regular ergonomic keyboard a full 10=" x4" x 1/2", with the attachable number pad, function keys, roller ball,and anything else you might desire. Then there is the touch sensitive`rubber mat' that's still 10" x 4" but just an eighth of an inch thick. =And there's everything in between. It connects, like the screen, by asmall cable, or with all the other regular options.Despite all the other input options available (voice,handwriting, pointing) this is still the most popular probably due toits prevalence in regular office environments, and its minimal impacton the ambient personal spaces. Also it and the screen take virtuallyno additional space in a briefcase. In fact most folk pin the screento the inside lid of their briefcase permanently, treating the wholething as a laptop computer.
Like the holographic screen, there is a holographic keyboardwhich provides tactile feedback via 3D focused ultrasonics, and anaccomplished touch typist doesn't even need the visual aspect, theyjust do it in the air! [Credit for the idea of holographic screen =(Star Wars) and ultrasonic keyboard due to Chris Bunsen]
[Hard Copy]
The flexibility of the hdpd is such that printe=doutput is generally unnecessary. Generally, this is accomplished bysending stuff to be printed back to the desktop attached to a printer. =Alternatively, 24 hour, street corner printshops, as common as copyshops of old, will happily print anything off from your hdpd, at a fewcents per page.For those that regularly need printed output on the road, theyusually have a hand printer. Like the handheld scanner, but inreverse, they are drawn across a piece of paper and imprint whateverwas sent to them. Since the hdpd can detect the width of the handprinter (standard variety is 4") it formats the output accordingly. =There are full 8.5" hand printers, but you may as well carry one of theportable printers.
The early hand printers were inkjets printing onto a rotatingdrum that was rolled onto paper, but now they have perfected the laserversions. The ones that directly heated thermal paper were about aspopular as thermal paper dependant devices ever were; they never seemto die satisfactorily.
They're still working on the `ink cloud' hand printer. When thehand printer is placed on the paper a cloud of special ink is generatedat the paper surface, and contained by a skirt from blowing away. Thelaser fuses ink onto the paper ar the specified pixels, and theremainder of the cloud leaves an imperceptible trace. When this handprinter is available it will be much less speed dependant than theexisting ones.
[Mass Storage]
As with printing, mass storage is a secondary =item. =There is plenty of room for all the hdpd's on board software; mostly inROMs. And, with the low cost of RAM, there is the perception thatthere is plenty of that, too. Mass storage is usually only necessaryfor archiving to the desktop. Again, for the folks that must have somecapability when remote from their desktops there is the regular arrayof options.Floppies are the way to go, as being the most cheap and standard. =The small, 1" drives take little space. The external 1" hard diskswork well, also. The RAM cards are the most convenient - easilyslipped in and out of the hdpd - but a relatively expensive option. =The read/write optical devices, of course, have been our savior fordecades; prices still coming down incrementally; and will surely tideus over until crystal storage. Prototypes of crystal storage have beendemonstrated for years, and soon they'll make it onto the market. Theystore data in 3D crystal molecules (presaged in the first Supermanmovie). This is the lightest, densest storage, as well as the lowestpower.
[Dream off]
[Software]
The hdpd does not even try to compete with deskt=opmachines; it relies on them. It uses the lean, mean, small and fastversions of the software, which are usually modified versions of theearliest releases, the ones everyone liked before they became featureencrusted.Software was unconsciously aimed at originally technical people(E.G. Unix as an operating system), and is now coming down slowly intothe rest of the world. Initially, this was just word processing, butnow includes general system control (Apple mac, windows) and generalapplications (database, spreadsheets, communications). We see now agood trend towards software trying to emulate the way a person thinks,so that a person more or less relates to their data with a stream ofconsciousness rather than struggling with the system itself and how itrelates to the memory the data os floating in, and how the hardware isholding it all.
Number crunching on the fly; such a task might take a long time. =Therefore, the machine must be multi-tasking so that whilst it'sthinking other, probably more menial tasks can be done, such as notetaking. Calendars and all kinds of appointment and schedule stuff mustbe very reviewable (where am I on this Gantt chart?). Theencyclopaedia function is both access to libraries, and also a growingpersonal encyclopaedia. As mentioned above, any task is a sub-task ofa real computer. For instance, note taking is the taking of notes tograb ideas into a memo. Then all serious spell checking, style andgrammar checking, formatting, dissemination (email, fax, draftreviews), and printing are done after transferring to the big computer. =It doesn't mean that the small machine can't do any of these othertasks, it is just that it is generally more convenient on the biggermachine.
All software needs to be fully customizable and expandable. Muchsoftware is already indeed so. This is easily attainable for softwareon disk, but needs to be also for software (including the operatingsystem) on any king of ROM, OTP, EPROM and other attachable firmware(plug-in cards).
The uselessness of PC's, no matter how small, is the time ittakes for them to come up, especially running windows or some otherthing that slides around on top of an already archaic DOS. Notableexceptions are the Toshiba laptops that keep pointers in battery backedup RAM, so that the machine comes up INSTANTLY right where you leftoff.
The portable is a subset of the desktop. Not because you can'thave the have the total functionality of the desktop in the portablebut because it would be perceived as superfluous. (The average personuses a car to get from a to b in clean comfort, and apart from awrench, doesn't carry a complete engine repair kit in the trunk.) Sohdpd has for instance, just a section of your personal calendar goingback six months and forward twelve, for ready reference. When hdpddocks with the desktop it offloads and archives anything before theprior six months, and uploads any new items within the next twelvemonths. There are no limits; thus at any time you could enter (in theportable) any random appointment any time in history future or past;and you could arbitrarily vary the limits that previously were sixmonths back and twelve months forward.
Since the hdpd is interconnected it can receive and automaticallyupdate such things as collective calendars with their appointments,data collection and gossip.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D[Table 2]| Portable | Desktop | Outputs = |+=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D+=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D+=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D+| Note taking | Word Processing | Email = | =| | | Formatting = | =| | | Printing = | =| | | Spell, style, = | =| | | grammar check = | =+---------------------+------------------------------+-------------------=-+| Number crunching | Complex statistical or | Graphic plots = | =| | database analysis | Tables = | =| | Combining with other | Publication output= | =| | data sets | = | =+---------------------+------------------------------+-------------------=-+| Scheduling | Appointments | Calendars = | =| (personal) | Calendar | = | =| | Integration - network, | = | =| | office, colleagues | = | =| | Secretaries schedules | = | =+---------------------+------------------------------+-------------------=-+| Scheduling | Gantt charts | = | =| (business projects) | Pert charts | Charts = | =+---------------------+------------------------------+-------------------=-+| Encyclopaedia | Total databases (all answers | = | =| Personal data bases | that exist are available) | = |=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=Interfacing between Handheld functionality and Desktop functionality[Help]
Bite the bullet - double the number of ROMs in th=emachine - put in a decent on line help key.Fully context sensitive help is a good start. It needs to bemulti-tiered. For some folks, because of their background, the besthelp remains as technically incomprehensible as the problem. Sometimesyou want the help to index itself into a more in depth informationsource (the remote online library databases). The help system shouldultimately be a window into everything from simple syntax examples tofull self paced tutorials on both the use of the application to thecontent or subject matter itself. For an example, running help in astatistics program would make available help on using the programitself, and also explanations of the actual statistics being used. =This kind of help is increasingly necessary as software covers morefields. For instance, scientists are often exposed to softwareperforming science (e.g. statistical algorithms) outside the scope oftheir own expertise.
choices <=C4=C4=C5=C4=C4> vSpectrum help: =C4=C4=C4=C4=C4=C2=C4=C4=C2=C4=C4=C2=C4=C4=C2=C4=C4=C2=C4=C4==C2=C4=C4=C2=C4=C4=C4=C4=C4=C4 =C4=C4=C4=C4=C4=C1=C4=C4=C1=C4=C4=C1=C4=C4=C1=C4=C4=C1=C4=C4==C1=C4=C4=C1=C4=C4=C4=C4=C4=C4The concept of spectrum help is that help covers areas inspectrums from simple to complex, broad to narrow, common to technical,and common to obscure. The menu available reflects this structure,which is rather a gravitating towards a theme than being a hard choice. =The latter point is important. When there is a choice, all choicesshould be available so that the one wanted can be picked. It shoulddefault to displaying most of the choices, enough to put them inperspective, and display all if there are not that many.
For instance a cheese application program menu shows the maincheeses. Moving along the menu to either side shows unusual cheeses. =If you were to continue all the way to both ends (which of course wraparound) you would have access to all known cheese. And even though allknown cheeses were contained there would be the ability to addadditional cheeses to the menu, and, of course, to reorder the menu.
That was a cheesy example; consider all the undocumented featureof DOS, the back doors in Un*x, the exotic sub-atomic particles, themissing symbols, the added functionality, reserved for future use... =They may be of little use, but for completeness they so often use onlyan additional 5-10%.
Philosophy Digital will never replace oil
Plastic will never replace wicker workMuch philosophy is implied in the description of the hdpd. Weare second guessing the environment of the future, and then designingthe hdpd to fit in with that future, as well as having it shape thefuture in which we expect it to be an integral part.
Interactivity is stressed, is a focus. Everything reachable,from a local text file, a remote database, an article in an on-linemagazine, one can interact with. Thus, just as you can easily edit atext file, so you can as easily present modifications to the keepers ofthe remote database, or provide instant feedback to article authors ormanufacturer advertisers in the electronic magazine. Even hard copymagazines, newspapers, books, TV and radio all have a way ofinteracting, just as some magazines and manufacturers today providesome kind of electronic BBS as a service for their clients.
In most cases it should not replace my tool but augment it. Thisis because the computer manufacturer cannot replace a function with acomputer, only augment it. If, over time, the user replaces this tool(slide rule, typewriter) with a computer that's his or her choice. Thesmart manufacturer will find it in their interest to be there to fullysupport this type of user. For example, computers were never built toreplace typewriters, but by their use, they effectively obsoleted them. =Calculators weren't built to obsolete slide rules although they did sovirtually overnight.
New learning Curve - most folks want a tool to be instantlyuseable, which is often something familiar. Handheld computers areintrinsically unfamiliar and the learning curve for it to becomefamiliar is an important factor. Especially these days a machine mustnot only be perceived as a high quality device, but also one that isgoing to be around a long time (or upgraded with something with thefamiliarity of the previous device).
For example, writing a program that generates fraction from adecimal number less than one, when the fraction must be exact 64ths andreduce to 32nds, 16ths, 8ths, 1/4rs, 1/2vs where appropriate. Thisinvolves multiplying the number by 64, rounding and reducing to afraction. The implicit problems are what if the result is 64/64 or0/64 and accurately rounding. The greater the familiarity with themachine the greater the confidence that your resultant program willreturn an accurate result. That familiarity takes a lot. That kind offamiliarity does not come from casual use!
You're making calculators for calculator users. This iscalculator mentality, and for handheld computers it makes short termsense. Calculators until recently could only be used for calculations. =People who do calculations in their jobs were mostly the only peoplewho bought calculators. Therefore it was this group of people whodrove the market.
The hdpd is second guessing the everyone. It is saying, ifeveryone already had the ultimate handheld device that did everythingwhat improvements would THEY want - what would that group of people(market segment) want? What that is, is hdpd. It is what everyonewants, since THAT group of people is defined as everyone.
Paradigms
We expect something to replace what we already have, and thenimprove on it. For instance you might currently carry in yourbriefcase or bag a day-timer book, an advanced calculator with itsmanual, and some books. The hdpd should obviate all these, and in themeantime compliment and enhance them.
The hdpd replaces and supersedes TV and Radio, in the sense of ageneric, utilitarian device taken for granted in day to day life.
TV and Radio are considered appliances normally found in thehome. Since /\ would be able to receive TV and radio it would be =akinto a radio, but it would be two way. In your hand is a forum fordiscussing points with the maker of the documentary, or sendingelectric jolts to irritating advertisers.
Idea collection is evolving: (Word processing -> outlines). Agood paradigm might be a notebook - and a useful extreme is that youare hiking in a remote area (Yukon, Himalayas, Andes) where regulartechnology is not available - you carry it with you wherever you go andcollect thoughts and ideas. Occasionally you want to send back detailsabout some ideas, or something to someone.
The 48 is an electronic back of an envelope for math and sciencecalculations. /\ is an electronic note pad for the processing ofwords, math, data, and graphics; an encyclopaedia (library); atelephone (radio transmitter, receiver, modem); a screwdriver(thermometer, barometer, DMM, oscilloscope).
People
Expression
Rather than focus on what is available, or even seems will becomeavailable consider both what we want (ignoring any constraints) andmost importantly the root of this desire. This latter question comesfrom observations of hackers over the years and the way they interact. =They not only love to play and explore but also share their ideas. Theroot of the desire is expression - the ability to capture an idea andconvert it into something that can be shared. As a person addicted tocomputers this is what I observe in myself, and the execution of thatprocess includes everything else - for instance it embodies the HackerEthic. Capturing the idea implies total access to information andtools - the idea implies freedom to have it - like a large blank canvas- no limits. Capturing the idea implies total access to information,and the tools to catch, play with and crystallize it. Sharing the ideaimplies unlimited ability to do so.
Temperaments
I believe that there are four kinds of people. Another way ofsaying this is that human temperament has four poles, and anyindividual's temperament will dominated by one of them, coloredstrongly by a second, and little by the other two. This has beendescribed throughout history; (Ancient: Earth, Air, Fire, Water;Classic: Phlegmatic, Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic; Modern: =Sensation/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, Perceiving/Judging,Extraversion/Introversion). It is now taught in business seminars tomanagers to better help them understand and manage their employees. Iknew a teacher that would split his children into their respectivegroups, and then cater his lessons to `four' temperaments rather thanthirty kids; it worked extremely well.
The scientist is happy with his HP, the businessman with hisSharp Wizard. What about the housewife? The tinker, tailor, soldier,sailor?
The scientist has mental ideas, the melancholic emotes. Considera psychologist and his client browsing an interactive database ofsymptoms and solutions on the ruggedized, waterproof keyboard whilstthe client cries and pounds on it. Later the client can follow up, athis own pace, treatment and additional material in any location -sobbing quietly in the park - with his hdpd hooked into the medicaldatabase.
As above, it doesn't matter whether people are actuallyclassified into such groupings. What matters is that if doing so helpsidentify ways people can have a useful tool (markets) then use theinformation (if it works, do it!)
If I may be bold and declare myself as the creative mental type,I would classify all folks as physical, mental, emotional, and willful( <- PURSUITS).="The" FOLKS TO (WHICH COMPUTERS AREAS WHY HAVE OF FROM FOR SYSTEM MENTAL OPERATE GRAVITATE DEVICEOR MAJORITY I WAS WITH ARE NEED THE JUST TOWARDS ITSELF.
Of the different kinds of people, there are those few who use themachines as a `creative trap', a place to capture their creative ideasbefore they go back where they came from and are lost forever.
Because I am member of those few who are creative users (a personwho plays with the machine rather than uses it as a tool) I describethis in great detail. It is useful because it does arise more oftenwhen we see, for instance, lotus freaks who solve every problem with alotus macro, but in so doing advance the art. Similarly the Machackers.
`Tool users' have a `Wow!' reaction seeing neat hacks. They wantto see how it's done, they want to do it. It introduces a play aspectthat endears them to the technology, which in turn, makes them betterusers of the tool.
Most use the machines as a `tool'. Therefore the better the toolthe more it will be used by those needing that tool.
The advanced calculator is a tool only to those relatively fewwho use numbers. The calculator has been extended as a tool by addingmemory, and then it is a data collector. Now surveyors can use it.
There are visual and linear thinkers. The key is differentapproaches, and they need to be identified, and the machine needs tocover them all, so that it is equally useable by such different kindsof people. For instance, no matter how nice the menu, control panel,or programming environment of the new compiler is many programmersultimately demand access to the most basic command line where theyperceive the real power and functionality.
Perceptions
It is perceived needs that sell, since most owners of calculatorsand computers don't use most of the machine's capability. 90% of usersmiss 90% of the computer's capability.
Marketing
A person understands by making a picture in their head of theconcept - then comparing it to the reality - then updating the picturein their head - and so on. This process is very rapid, and completionis a concept of great clarity inside the person's head. (Though manyfolks don't iterate far enough, and often jump over a chasm to anunfounded or partial conclusion.)
Marketing sells to that picture in the head. The trick isknowing what the picture is! It varies with the kind of person.
What would you use it for? A question important to marketing,who need to sell the thing. However, the answer needs to be given forthat very reason. For instance hdpd would be used to replacedaytimers and notebooks because it has a built-in modem and thereforeyou can access any information, search your personal database andrespond better than any current way of doing this.
Education
Future: Have manuals (or pointers to) covering every subject to1st year college level.
Consider an education manual that covers the subject which hdpdcan be applied to, with, of course, examples of the application. Thisis, of course, a separate manual - probably quite thick, and probablythird party. Subjects would include programming and computer science,physics chemistry and mathematics. More generic stuff would be onlinewhere appropriate. Division into machine and application.
High school on line! - experiment set. Education series. Opensup the possibility of powerful educational tools accessible to theghetto, third world, library.
Extending the idea of permanently recorded life (video/audio incar, house, work, etc) I think it would be worth a try, but I reckonthat after a while it would drive you nuts. In the process, however,you would probably develop an infinitely more effective, expedient andeconomic way of doing it. This has probably been done - read booksabout making money, managing time. The same needs to happen withcalculators.
Considerations
Impact on Society
Contribution: what is the customer going to do that he doesn'talready do on his work or home laptop or desktop.
Most folks in the `western world' have a TV or radio. This mediais 1D, one dimensional, one way. It is mostly used for entertainment(world news, for many, is reduced to entertainment). The /\ could=certainly become another gizmo of entertainment, but that's a SEP(somebody {the user} else's problem). It could however, be used forthe user to evolve. It is an available tool - like library books. Thephone is 2D, the world is 3D, but the hdpd is 4D because not only canyou interact with your environment and talk to people but use thedevice to explore all known worlds.
One computer manufacturer had the idea of having some kind ofhandheld computer so cheap it could be in the hands of each of the fivebillion people in the world. What they do with it is their problem(cf. TV) but it opens up the possibility.
If everyone in the world had access to all answers would it makea difference? It would be a path to people getting beyond existingbeliefs.
It will be a powerful tool in the hands of the public.
`Teach the machine' gives us the correct attitude, rather thantell, control the machine, or expect things of it. We know what wewant to do and how to do it. We'll now teach the machine so it'll saveus the chore.
Security
The main security issue is paralleled by considering any hdpd asa node in a global network, such as the Internet. There are manyactive forums on the Internet discussing security issues, many of whichwould be applicable to hdpd's.
An interesting detail is gossip. When two people chat on astreet corner exchanged information is not very liable, and can bedenied with a shrug. In any network, much of a similar nature changeshands (pointers?) but in the form of ASCII text, which can be repeated(printed and used in a court as evidence). Thus there needs to becreated an equivalently non-liable type of e-gossip somewhat similar tothe methods magazines use ("...the new machine is rumored to have..."the unidentifiable source said). A simple construct such as [gossipon]...[gossip off] might suffice.
My own method (what a give away :-) is `dibdop' (disseminatebut do not publish). I might tell a close friendabout some rumor, and expect not to be quoted elsewhere, or see it inprint. However, if that friend is only on email then I'll preface suchinformation as dibdop.
Jeremy |-) Smith (c) Jeremy Smith 1991
jeremy@peak.org jeremy@heart.cor.epa.gov 76662.1535@compuserve.com
Mail: 301 NE Byron Place, Corvallis Oregon 97330-6233 USA
(503) 752-0634 day: (503) 754-4303 fax: (503) 757-4338
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