Tablet PC’s and Windows

Will Windows 8 change things when it comes to computers ?

I don’t think so. Yes, it may change the world of “content” users, such as those who use tablets for watching videos, playing music and surfing the internet. But it won’t change things when it comes to hard core computing. Why ? There are two different worlds when it comes to computing devices. Consumers and business (or anyone who needs to do some work) users. Consumers in my opinion tend to follow the latest fad. Business users (or professionals or those who need to do some kind of work) though are more concerned about getting work done. Thats the bottom line.  For example, I had written a number of custom applications for local businesses back in the 90’s. The applications ran on DOS computers. Amazingly a couple of those customers are still using those DOS applications today. Why ? Because it does the job they need it to do and it does it well. What counts for business software is whether it does the job well. This means that businesses are more concerned about the “tried and true methods”, rather than the latest fad and that makes good business sense. Common sense “rules”, rather than “fads”.

No don’t get me wrong. I think tablet PC’s are the next generation of computing devices, but so are Netbooks and Ultra Light Notebooks. Each will play a role that it fits well. Now there are those who will try to tell us that “such and such” is obsolete and that we must get the latest computer hardware or we won’t be productive. Dual core CPU’s are not enough, they may say. Everyone should have 5 and 7 core CPU’s and with so much memory that the computer is about to bust. Yet in the long run, what will matter is getting work done and not whether we have the “bleeding edge” computer hardware (and software). Do you realize that the typical desktop computer today (or even a Netbook) is probably many times more powerful than the computers used by NASA when the first men landed on the moon ? By todays standards those old computers would be considered “dinosaurs” compared to todays PC’s, but amazingly they still got the job done.

Windows has a long history as an operating system (tried and true) and what really matters is maintaining the core features which allow developers to write all sorts of unique software for different tasks. Windows is not a multimedia operating system. It is simply an operating system which provides multimedia features for those who need it. Windows is not a web (or cloud) operating system. It is simply an operating system which provides access to the web. Windows is not a graphic artists operating system. It is simply an operating system which provides rich graphics features. The point is that Windows is an operating system designed to be the backbone of unlimited types of software. Kids use Windows to play game software (so do adults). Moms and dads are using Windows to browse the web to buy stuff and to even pay their bills. Accountants are using Windows to run their favorite accounting software. Engineers are using Windows to run software which allows them to design all the many wonders we take for granted today, such as our cars, TVs, tools and kitchen appliances.

Will tablets take over and leave desktop (or laptop) computers in the dust ? I doubt it. You see, in the long run it doesn’t matter what the latest electronic fad is. People may buy tablet PC’s because everyone else is, but the real question is will they continue to use them day in and day out and then buy the next generation ? The answer is simple. It depends upon whether the tablet PC’s solve their problems or handle needed tasks. I can’t see a writer, writing their next 1000 page book on a tablet PC, unless it has a great keyboard as an accessory, but then why wouldn’t a nice ultra light notebook do better ? Likely it would.

So the future of computers is not the hardware.

The future of computers is not the operating system.

The future of computers is not the latest software.

The future of computers is the “tasks at hand”. Computers and software are simply a “means to an end”. There will always be work (or some recreation) to do and the future of computers, the future of tablet PC’s and the future of ultra light notebooks will depend upon the tasks we need to do.

The important thing about Windows and Tablet PC’s is to not break what already is “tried and true” (it works). It is important not to keep adding features which won’t make a big difference, but instead to find ways to make what already works, work even better.  Some times that simply means going back and find ways to write code more efficiently, so it is faster, smaller and easier to maintain. Also remember the old saying “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it”. Another way to phrase that is “backward compatibility”. An old programming practice for optimizing code, is to find just key areas in the code where the CPU will spend most of its time. If a routine iterates millions of times, then optimizing it for speed makes sense. If a routine is only called once in awhile and the time it takes to run is already insignificant, then it makes no sense to rework it. Also remember the saying “for the want of a nail the kingdom was lost”. That means, if you keep trying to rework what already works well trying to keep finding the next best user interface, then you may simply end up losing your user base (you lost your kingdom).  Could “ribbons” fall into this catagory ?

Software developers need to concentrate more on how to make their software simpler and more task oriented. Solve problems. Provide real solutions. The hardware is simply a means to an end. Software developers should target the hardware which is best suited to the task at hand. If a tablet will do better than target it. If a desktop will do better then target it. Write software which “works”! Write software which does the job and does it well! Some times “less is better”. Some times “just leave it alone, it already works fine”.

It took me nearly ten years to learn what I know about the Windows API. I am finally feeling comfortable with it. I am finally grasping how to get more from it. I surely don’t want to see Windows 8 “break something I took years to learn”. Rather than “reimagining Windows”, maybe its time to take a good look at it and ask the question “what works and works well” ? I don’t consider removing simple menu items such as Copy, Cut, Paste from Explorers menus a step forward. To appreciate what I mean, have you ever had someone attempt to clean your desk, only for you to say to them “it was fine the way it was. I knew where everything was.”. I have. Sure the desk could use a little sprucing up, but it didn’t need a total working. There was a “method to the madness” (meaning I put things in places so I could find them easily). Windows is the same way. You can add new features without breaking what is already there.

I will be spending some time working with Windows 8, primarily to see what still works and what does not. So far, the Windows API appears to be relatively intact, but I am not finished testing it yet. I will also be spending some time working with “Touch”. Touch has its place, but it is not a complete replacement for the mouse or keyboard. There has to be a “happy medium” (middle ground).