IDF 2010, Research Day: Context-Aware Computing

[Guest]

Do you want the gadgets in your pocket to help you make decisions or monitor aspects of your daily life? Intel believes context-aware computing will take hardware to the next level of intelligence, but there are privacy issues to consider, too.

IDF 2010, Research Day: Context-Aware Computing : Read more

 

[Guest]

Maybe, at 29, I'm already the old guy that thinks new-fangled technology is evil, but I absolutely do not want this.

Almost every infuriatingly negative experience I've had with technology was the result of some developer trying so hard to make my computer do what I want for me (or take advantage of some cool new technology), I had to fight to make it do what I actually wanted it to do (I'm looking right at you Microsoft). It gets even worse when tech developers implement stuff "because they think it's cool" instead of "because people actually want it" (clippy anyone?)... or I suddenly can't do a simple help search for something like "where's the button to do X" because a software developer decided it would be a great idea to have ALL of their help documentation online, but never contemplated the idea that somebody might use their software on a private network that doesn't have internet access (or in a hotel room that charges 12.95 for internet access, or in an airport with no wi-fi, etc).

 

[randomizer]

"So, users need granular control over what data is collected and where it’s stored."

Users don't want granular control. That's why they whine about Facebook privacy settings. Users want "me," "my friends" and "everyone" privacy settings. Heaven forbid they have so much choice that it makes them think for more than a fraction of a second. This is the 21st century, choice is old-fashioned. These days automation is key. If a program doesn't do everything then it isn't good enough. Gone are the days when people had a program that they expected to do one thing well. Now programs must do everything, poorly.

 

[executor2]

@anon dude "I'm looking right at you Microsoft" , I don't get you Sir , because Windows evolved from better to best , quick search programs in the start menu ,memory caching to speed applications to "instant" opening , reliable updates of windows and it`s drives , a very big (extreme) database of drives for hardware.

"where's the button to do X" Sir I never had to search for a button in my life in Windows , the interface is intuitive that means you have to use your brain to understand it .

"a private network that doesn't have internet access" well if you travel allot you must have a wireless laptop hooked to your phone , I am wrong ?

All those problems are directly connected to your inability to adapt to change , try figuring out the solutions not blame problem , best regards.

 

[amnotanoobie]

Almost every infuriatingly negative experience I've had with technology was the result of some developer trying so hard to make my computer do what I want for me (or take advantage of some cool new technology), I had to fight to make it do what I actually wanted it to do (I'm looking right at you Microsoft). It gets even worse when tech developers implement stuff "because they think it's cool" instead of "because people actually want it" (clippy anyone?)...

We could agree that not everything that MS implements turns into a goldmine. What we have is MS trying to explore what "could" possibly work or what people would possibly want. SuperFetch for example was initially hell for Vista, but after refinement in Win7 most people probably couldn't do without the speed boost of launching applications.

or I suddenly can't do a simple help search for something like "where's the button to do X" because a software developer decided it would be a great idea to have ALL of their help documentation online, but never contemplated the idea that somebody might use their software on a private network ...

Not all software makers are like this, though some are. Microsoft usually has an offline help available unless of course if you don't include it in the installation. MS is probably one of the biggest companies who research items about usability and how people interact with computers.

Now programs must do everything, poorly.

It sometimes is how some software makers try to rush and add new features just to get ahead of other companies. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't (e.g. Vista).

 

[randomizer]

[citation][nom]executor2[/nom]All those problems are directly connected to your inability to adapt to change[/citation]
Or maybe it's due to his lack of desire to adapt to how Windows wants him to do things. Is it beyond reason that a person would want their software to do what they want it to do, and how they want it to do it? I generally don't mind using Windows, as it has some nice features that make using it convenient (and some that make it downright infuriating).

Maybe you don't like having control of your system. I suppose if not wanting to give up control and not liking the idea of hiding system configuration behind more and more levels of abstraction (and deeper and deeper menus) is what you call "inability to adapt to change", then yes, some of us have a problem and would prefer things to be simple again.

 

[randomizer]

[citation][nom]amnotanoobie[/nom]SuperFetch for example was initially hell for Vista, but after refinement in Win7 most people probably couldn't do without the speed boost of launching applications.[/citation]
I'd prefer it if applications launched quickly without aggressive prefetching. But I'd have to use another OS for that. Or I could get an SSD since that makes far more difference than Superfetch.

[citation][nom]amnotanoobie[/nom]It sometimes is how some software makers try to rush and add new features just to get ahead of other companies. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't (e.g. Vista).[/citation]
Just look at AVG. Up to AVG 7.5 I was able to use it, but once AVG 8 came out the program became a free version of Norton. Bloated, slow, packed with useless features...

Then one day Microsoft opened up a dusty chest in their Redmond attic and discovered long-forgotten writings containing Ockham's Razor. Thus Microsoft Security Essentials was born.

 

[rwmunchkin12788]

Well this turned into some heated debate pretty darn quickly. Anyway, back on topic.

I think both anon dude and randomizer have perfectly valid points for two very different groups of people. The everyday user has nowhere near the technological know-how that even tomshardware.com newbies have, and a plethora of controls to do anything the person wanted would only make them confused.

What's frustrating anon dude is the obvious response to make everything easier to the point of losing that lack of control. I remember people griping back when Windows XP had the new format for the control panel and start menu. Heck, even as a young teenager it frustrated me until I figured out that you can switch everything back.

Us tech savvy people want our choices, our options, our features, all to be customizable and tunable to the nth degree, while the everyday user just wants point and click (or not even).

I think that context-aware computing, if done well, can allow for both ends of the spectrum. Experienced users would love to be able to choose what things get automated and have infinite control over how it does that, while everyday users would love to just plug it in and instantly see it work without having to pick or choose any options.

 

[luke904]

[citation][nom]anon dude[/nom]Maybe, at 29, I'm already the old guy that thinks new-fangled technology is evil, but I absolutely do not want this.Almost every infuriatingly negative experience I've had with technology was the result of some developer trying so hard to make my computer do what I want for me (or take advantage of some cool new technology), I had to fight to make it do what I actually wanted it to do (I'm looking right at you Microsoft). It gets even worse when tech developers implement stuff "because they think it's cool" instead of "because people actually want it" (clippy anyone?)... or I suddenly can't do a simple help search for something like "where's the button to do X" because a software developer decided it would be a great idea to have ALL of their help documentation online, but never contemplated the idea that somebody might use their software on a private network that doesn't have internet access (or in a hotel room that charges 12.95 for internet access, or in an airport with no wi-fi, etc).[/citation]


I'm 16 and I agree

 

[luke904]

[citation][nom]executor2[/nom]@anon dude "I'm looking right at you Microsoft" , I don't get you Sir , because Windows evolved from better to best , quick search programs in the start menu ,memory caching to speed applications to "instant" opening , reliable updates of windows and it`s drives , a very big (extreme) database of drives for hardware."where's the button to do X" Sir I never had to search for a button in my life in Windows , the interface is intuitive that means you have to use your brain to understand it . "a private network that doesn't have internet access" well if you travel allot you must have a wireless laptop hooked to your phone , I am wrong ?All those problems are directly connected to your inability to adapt to change , try figuring out the solutions not blame problem , best regards.[/citation]


windows makes too many decisions for you, its annoying.. they are wrong 90% o the time and even if they were the right ones it would hardly save me any time


I'm not happy with any operating system, not windows, not mac, not even linux

 

[smile9999]

how about no thank you

 

[wh3resmycar]

in effect, what this technology is all about is "hardware spyware".

i dont need my gadgets to tell me what to eat, what to watch, or whatever the f*ck i want to do.

instead, i want to tell my gadgets what i want it to do not the other way around.

 

[godnodog]

Apparently a lot of people like being told what to do, taking in consideration comments here having at the time of my reading negative points like the comments of randomizer.
One thing I hate in technology is when they "hide" options or a "more intuitive interface", what a hell is a more intuitive interface??? The simple way to do things is to rationalize things by giving them a straight logic not intuition.
For example now a lot of things have hidden menus, like MSN Messenger or Windows 7 folder options, why are they hidden? it doesn´t make sense to me, I want options, and insde options I like to have novice user, intermidiate user and advance user options, this is simple and logical.

 

[JonnyDough]

[citation][nom]rwmunchkin12788[/nom]The everyday user has nowhere near the technological know-how that even tomshardware.com newbies have...[/citation]

Are we on the same version? Just wondering.

 

[number13]

Soon they will implant a thinking chip in our heads, problem solved

 

[cmd-x3m]

Oh cool, now they're gonna make something to track where we go and as soon as we get to a place with wireless, the phone is going to give the info to some satelite. What the f*ck is with this thing?
@anon
I'm 14 and I agree. Maybe I'm too old tho, and the world's hope is in those mad dudes that cut their veins...

Windows makes too much decisions. I want to be able to tell windows what to automaticaly choose without having to edit the VM.

Same applies to anti-viruses and new things. Best example I can think of: PHPBB3.
Is it better than MyBB? Hell no. You have to spend alot of time organising it.
Does it have more feautures than MyBB? HELL YEA! TWO TIMES MORE USELESS CRAP!

Dell sold mobos with spyware. A virus for controlling nuclear and energetic centrals appeared. Can anyone see where this is leaning? >_>
Soon we're gonna have hard-disks with pre-installed viruses and phones that tell to the NSD what we do, what we eat, when we eat, and the atomic composition of our pepsi bottle.

NSD=National Security Dudes

 

[viometrix]

we are all doomed. we will die at the hands of technology, not in a cool ass matrix or terminator way, just a big bang and poof we are all gone.

 

[dEAne]

thought these things are all good to see, even if there are provision installed to protect privacy the evils behind it (people who made or use it - I'm not referring to intel) will somehow happen and create problems.