April 22nd, 2009 by Alec

My Blog Means Something

Blogging has certainly increased in popularity, and the number of new bloggers has suggested something even more interesting: user generated content (UGC) in its proprietary form, single user contribution – like a blog, is equal if not more appealing to social networking… Why is this important? Is it the personalization factor? Or could it simply be that people like to hear themselves type?

With blogging on the rise, we must as, what will happen to professional content? Will it disappear? I believe the answer is no, but it’l take a while for use to realize this. With newspapers in serious trouble, and doctoral dissertations being read and reviewed by only the most select groups, the exposure of professional content is dwindling. On the internet, they are on a level playing field with bloggers and and other UGC. A professor can make a podcast of his research in primate behavior, and it will be less viewed than a YouTube video of a cute chimp eating a banana. In my opinion, there will be a separation between professional content, and entertainment/commentary comment….. just like the sections of the newspaper.

April 20th, 2009 by Alec

The Race For The Next U/I

Its been roughly 141 years since Christopher Sholes developed the first keyboard. However, we’re still using the same model with little advancement today. Don’t get me wrong, the keyboard was one of the greatest inventions of all time, but we’re destined for more functional and practical user input methods. Microsoft has been working on a project which illustrates our capacity to use touch screens as new U/I’s called Microsoft Surface, which seems to have a great interface, but isn’t pragmatic for home users as a full-time input method. There are a number of good ideas about what the next great user input device will be, but no front-runner. One thing’s for sure, Apple, Microsoft, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Sony, Xerox, and a ton of others will soon be in an all-out race for the next U/I device…. and I cant wait to see what they come up with.