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From: travis@ihlpa.ATT.COM (Travis Marlatte)
Newsgroups: comp.society
Subject: Re: "Personal" Computers
Message-ID: <457@hptsug2.HP.COM>
Date: 25 Aug 88 21:46:46 GMT
Sender: taylor@hptsug2.HP.COM
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories - Naperville, Illinois
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Approved: taylor@hplabs

Newman at Xerox referred to personal computers as having attributes
like: portable, customizable, and (this was his point) vagueness.

Ian Macey responded with:

	"A 'personal' computer is one on which
	you are the sole user."

Ian went on to say that regardless of size, if you are the only one that
can use the computer, it is a personal one.

Several articles recently (Communication of the ACM) have been
suggesting a definition closer to Newman's. The basic idea is that if
the computer fits my personality, then it is personal. A computer - no
matter what size or how portable - that behaves the same for everyone
that uses it, is not personal. Even the minor customizing that can be
done with most command shells still leaves the computer a far cry from
fitting my personality.

What's the use of having a small computer that only I use? When I use
the large multi-user computers at work, I am not aware of the other 200
users logged on. I have my own files, commands, work space, etc. I can
customize my environment just as much as on a small IBM. For me, the
difference is that I don't have a large box under my desk blowing hot
air on my legs. [No, I'm not saying that that is all small PCs are good
for. I love 'em.]

Conclusion: 1) Computers are becoming more personal. Whether it be on a
large or a small computer, most of us are happy to have a few Meg to
call our own. 2) The expectations from a personal computer are changing.
3) Computers have a ways to go before the average user will relate to
computers in a personal way.

Travis Marlatte