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From: ken@rochester.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.lang.misc,comp.software-eng
Subject: Re: Software Technology is NOT Primitive
Message-ID: <3695@sol.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 28-Oct-87 23:59:41 EST
Article-I.D.: sol.3695
Posted: Wed Oct 28 23:59:41 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 31-Oct-87 11:45:41 EST
Reply-To: ken@cs.rochester.edu (Ken Yap)
Organization: U of Rochester, CS Dept, Rochester, NY
Lines: 16
Xref: utgpu comp.lang.misc:778 comp.software-eng:21

References:

Let us not forget that the computer is a tool and that raw computing
speed is but one measure of the effectiveness of the hardware.  If that
computing power has to "go to waste" in a spreadsheet program, I don't
care, as long I get *my* job more effectively. All those cycles going
into painting a bitmap window, think it's a waste? Fine, want to design
METAFONT characters with punch cards, or even a glass TTY?

I used to wonder what we would do with all those MIPS of computing
power hardware would give us. Now I realize that there is at least one
application that can soak up any amount of CPU power you can get -
advanced interfaces. Have a look at the October SciAm issue. Take the
Wired Glove.  Imagine a biochemist being able to experiment with
molecules by "handling" them. Would you begrudge all those cycles
required to support this mode of interaction? I certainly wouldn't.

	Ken