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From: ben%umcp-cs@sri-unix.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.works
Subject: Re:  workstation trends
Message-ID: <1553@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 3-Jul-84 10:16:24 EDT
Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.1553
Posted: Tue Jul  3 10:16:24 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 14-Jul-84 13:42:44 EDT
Lines: 31

From:      Ben Shneiderman <ben@umcp-cs>

I'm pleaseI'm pleased to participate in a discussion about workstation
design issues.

Color... looks good but is generally not that advantageous unless
there has been ample effort to include it as part of the system
(CAD/CAM etc.)  If the bulk of the material is text then higher 
resolution, sharper letters, more screen space, and faster 
processing are the critical variables.  Color is often misused,
costs more, generates more heat, requires more volume, and is 
less reliable.  I agree to push for high resolution B&W and get
a large screen.

The choice of single or multiple processors is secondary to the
performance of the system for typical tasks.  I think we should
prepare a benchmark set of tasks and then measure the performance
time for the benchmark.

Other issues - advanced windowing concepts to allow concurrent
processes and coordination across windows.  Communications to
allow cooperative problem solving across workstations (allow a
user to send a windolw to a consultant, allow one user to 
execute a command on another workstation and both can watch the
effect).

Also...pointing devices (mouse etc.) or touchscreen.

Also..graphics, animation, fonts.

Ans while we're at it whynot Dvorak keyboards?