The personal computer is a small microprocessor that is relatively cheap, and only getting cheaper, such that more and more households can afford to own one. This microprocessor is only one of many different forms of computing power than man has specially designed for a specific use; other types of computers include supercomputers, webservers, and workstations – each one of these is specially designed, though using the same parts, to meet a specific purpose, that is to say to enhance user experience on it.
Traditionally, the computer is only operated by one person at a time; there is only one monitor and one keyboard and one mouse, which can only accept one input at a time. If you were to push two buttons on the keyboard at the same time, say, the “a” and the “b” key at almost the same time, the computer would process that one input was received after the other, and when running text editing software such as the software currently being used to write this blog post, “ab” or “ba” would be interpreted. “a” after “b” or “b” after “a.” The computer does not recognize “a” and “b” at the same time.
Even with remote controlled computers where a technical expert on another computer connects with a microprocessor that a person is currently using to assist them in some form, only one user may control the computer at a time; i.e. the person using remote access overrides commands given by the person at the physical computer.
An alternate use of the traditional microprocessor operated by one person may be that it becomes a live and responsive interface which may be used by several people at a time during a group collaboration process. This computer may process several inputs at the same time, and display results to all individuals, run versatile graphics, word processing, and slideshow applications that facilitate the smoother development and communication of ideas in a project.
A new class of computers where more than one user can operate the computer and utilize the computer’s processing power is already being foreshadowed in the computer market. Apple’s flagship music player and entertainment device, the iTouch, has demonstrated that two people can operate the same device through several game Apps, where users can take advantage of the multi-touch touch screen and play competitive games against one another on the same device and at the same time. Several apps have since also been created for the iPhone and iPad.
Though Apple does not produce desktop machines with touch interfaces, PC giants HP and Dell have begun producing low-end all-in-one microprocessors with a multi-touch interface. This could herald future high-end workstations, with large multi-touch interfaces which would greatly enhance boardroom meetings on technical projects, bringing the power of computer technology to yet another corner of the world’s workspace. This would, once the cost of this technology falls sufficiently low, forever banish the bane that we know as chalk and the blackboard. All it has to do is be programmed right.
If I were to be programming for a multi-user oriented workstation, I would focus on the user interface, and try to make it as intuitive as possible – to replicate the feeling of pen and paper as much as possible, as in the early stages, the main focus of new technology should be to win over the masses, and make them feel comfortable adapting to new technology.
