DOCSLIB.ORG

Better Than Windows? You Decide!

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Better Than Windows? You Decide! First Impressions Availability (GA) release in several respects other than packaging: although it does run Windows applications, it runs them in a separate full-screen session; at GA, Windows applications will be run­ Better Than ning on the Presentation Manager (PM) desktop in what's being called "seamless Windows." Second, the LA build is still using the older 16-bit graphics Windows? engine; while the performance is quite good, the 32-bit engine in the GA build should be faster. Finally, the LA release is still beta; not everything You Decide! works quite right- and it does crash occasionally. OS/2 2.0 is IBM's attempt to gain greater accep­ tance of OS/2 with a dramatically improved prod­ uct featuring multiple virtual DOS machines By Douglas A. Hamilton (VDMs) and built-in support for Windows applica­ A is the Limited Availability release of OS/2 2.0 tions, true 32-bit code, support for clones and a being offered by IBM to selected customers new Macintosh-like desktop environment called who'd made plans based on IBM's earlier the Workplace Shell (WPS). Lpromises to ship 2.0 by year-end. It is not some­ This is a big system. The first thing you notice is thing you should expect to find at your local its sheer size. It comes in an enormous pile of 20 Egghead. Many customers received copies that were high-density disks (twice the size of OS/2 1.3), mak­ actually hand-duplicated by their local account rep­ ing for one massive install. It takes an hour just to resentatives, after being downloaded from IBM's feed in all the disks. A complete installation fills a internal mainframe network over the New Year's 30-megabyte disk partition. holiday. We were a little luckier here at Windows There are a couple different strategies for Magazine; the disks supplied to us in early January installing 2.0 on a system where you'd also like to were clearly professionally duplicated. Still, the run DOS or OS/2 1.3. If you already have DOS on manual consisted of piles of loose sheets run off on C: and go through the standard 2.0 installation a copier; they weren't even stapled together. (choosing not to reformat your hard drive for IBM's The LA build differs from the upcoming General high performace file system, which is not compati- compatibility under OS/2 considerations w hen copying and designating file attributes displaying file attributes error messages (cause and action) reatures under 0 S/2 rinding old data files finding old programs Spooler Scheme Palette Font Palette help for commands help for messages 0 ~ System Sound Migrate Applications Device Driver Install ""'V" Q ~ OS/2 version 2.0's Selective Install Keyboard Worskplace Shell is a very different environment than the Windows Program Manager. 60 WINDOWS M AGAZINE • APRIL 1992 First Impressions ble with DOS), you'll automatically end up with Boot Manager works well but is tricky to set up dual boot. Both DOS and OS/2 2.0 will coexist on and requires repartitioning your disk. If you're the same C: drive and, when you power up the sys­ going to use 3 systems like I did, figure a minimum tem, whichever you ran last will come up. To of 4 to 5 hours to get everything repartitioned, switch back and forth, there's a boot utility. To go reformatted, installed and configured and set up from OS/2 to DOS, type "boot /dos." To go from the way you want. DOS to OS/2, type "boot /os2." What the boot utility does is slosh the boot Installation record and configuration files for OS/2 and DOS in The rest of the installation is fairly simple, if the root directory in and out of the \os2\system time-consuming. Once you get past disk 4, there's a directory. It then automatically restarts the system, graphical install program with lots of options for booting the other operating system. selectively installing only as much of the system as If you need to run more than just DOS or OS/2 desired. It's a nice piece of work but it's not perfect. 2.0 on the same system, IBM has added an optional I have a Postscript printer on a serial port and it led feature called Boot Manager, a little program that me through a series of questions about what model sits in a speciall megabyte disk partition. At power printer I had and what port it was on... up, it puts up a menu asking which system you'd What it did not ask me about was the baud like to boot. On my system, I set it up for DOS 5.0, rate and handshake being used. Figuring out how OS/2 2.0 limited OS/2 1.3 and OS/2 2.0, but Boot Manager could to set those parameters wasn't easy since not even Availability also be used with AIX and potentially other operat­ the Master Help Index gave any clue. (Hint: dou­ IBM Corp. 1133 Westchester Ave. ing systems as well. The idea is to create separate C: ble click on the icon for comm port on the print­ White Plains, NY 10604 partitions for DOS and OS/2 1.3 and another parti­ er's Settings Output page.) (800) 426-2468 tion (either C: or D:) for OS/2 2.0. Once it's run­ But even if the install program were perfect, Price: Free upgrade from OS/2 1.3 ($150) ning, only one C: partition is visible at a time, but nothing is ever going to make a 20-disk install Circle Inquiry #355 all the other partitions (Drives D: or whatever) can something any of us wants to do more than once in always be visible. this life. I would have much preferred to see the The CEO wants to lmow The staff wants to know when it will be finisJh.ed. when they can start. A.B. Kaufman Novel Work Schedule March .. ~ .. ~~.- ~':23 .,.,.... "' " . ~ .... - . ... ...,. ..... -J ......,..,."'~ ,.... ~......., ·~u>$· M r..UIIN~ -• ____I _ _, ....,., .... f. __ [_ __, 1\'to""f ..tt<lto:tf ---- ~- --....~ .pi~ __J ~ ...........• y ...... mt ~aro- &...~ .......... 1- 1- . --~~~ ~.~ ~ ... """""'~~"' o-.. I~>L~_.wa- ~J ................ '*"'- - ~........... .-r~ As a project manager, you've seen things the way they want, but also lets you it all before. Everyone who needs to know, plan things the way you want. all too often, needs to know something dif­ Now you can enter and view data in ferent. Which is why there's new l\1icrosoft~ a variety of ways-Gantts, tables, graphs, Project version 3.0 for Windows~ forms and more. Microsoft Project also has It not only makes it easy to present a customizable Toolba( giving you access ©1992 Microsoft Corporatilm. All rights reseroed. Printed in the USA. Offer good only in the 50 United States. To order a Working Model for $9.95 or for more informotilm: In the United States, call (800) 541·1261, Dept. Y14 62 W INDOWS M AGAZINE • A PRIL 1992 First Impressions installation broken up into more manageable the clipboard. In a system this big, I'd have pre­ chunks-perhaps the base system, then the virtual ferred the installation not be larded up with so DOS machines, then the Windows support and all much stuff of such questionable merit. the applets separately. In the GA release, I'm told there will be options Workplace Shell for installing over a network. That will certainly The centerpiece of 2.0 is a new user interface. The make it less painful. Another option IBM should Workplace Shell (WPS) replaces the old Group Man­ consider is a CD-ROM version of OS/2. ager (similar to Windows' Program Manager) menus seen on OS/2 1.3. Under WPS the whole desktop Clunky applets functions as one giant menu, customized with icons The applets, the small sample applications bun­ for all your most frequently used applications. dled with 2.0 in answer to those offered with Win·· Individual icons represent objects such as pro­ dows, are, with a few exceptions, a clunky waste of grams, files, printers, folders (collections of objects) more than 6 megabytes. There is, for example, a and special objects such as the shredder (used to spreadsheet that is easily the worst ever devised. delete objects). Folders can be nested arbitrarily. To There isn't even a way to copy or format a cell. The put an object into a folder or move it back out, sim­ solitaire program does offer a cheat button, but the ply drag it, pressing and holding the right button as graphics are crude compared to the Windows ver­ you drag. It's also possible to copy an object, either sion. The music editor would annoy small children. by right-clicking and selecting copy or by dragging And most of the rest of the "productivity" tools, the it while pressing the Ctrl key. appointment and time management stuff, etc., One special folder is the templates folder; open struck me as junk. that folder, and you'll find templates for all the The only really useful applets seemed to be the objects you might have on the desktop. To install a drawing program by Micrografx, the enhanced text new program, one simply "tears off" a program editor, and some of the smaller utilities for search­ template, dragging it with the mouse to the desk­ ing files, editing icons or displaying the contents of top or perhaps dropping onto (into) a folder.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Why Os/2 Failed: Business Mistakes Compounded by Memory Prices
    Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Economics Volume 10 Issue 1 Article 4 Date Published: 10-1-2009 Why Os/2 Failed: Business Mistakes Compounded By Memory Prices Eric G. Swedin Weber State University Davis Follow this and additional works at: https://openspaces.unk.edu/mpjbt Part of the Business Commons Recommended Citation Swedin, E. G. (2009). Why Os/2 Failed: Business Mistakes Compounded By Memory Prices. Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Economics, 10(1). Retrieved from https://openspaces.unk.edu/mpjbt/ vol10/iss1/4 This Case Study is brought to you for free and open access by OpenSPACES@UNK: Scholarship, Preservation, and Creative Endeavors. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Economics by an authorized editor of OpenSPACES@UNK: Scholarship, Preservation, and Creative Endeavors. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 36 WHY OS/2 FAILED: BUSINESS MISTAKES COMPOUNDED BY MEMORY PRICES ERIC G. SWEDIN WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY DAVIS ABSTRACT In 2006, IBM ended their support of OS/2, closing the book on an ambitious effort to create a modern operating system for the personal computer. IBM and Microsoft released the OS/2 operating system in December 1987 to replace the primitive DOS with a more sophisticated, preemptive multitasking operating system for personal computers. This article argues that OS/2 failed because of the U.S.-Japan Semiconductor Trade Agreement of 1986, subsequent accusations of DRAM chip dumping by the United States, and the resulting tariffs on Japanese memory chips, led to a memory chip shortage that drove up memory prices.
    [Show full text]
  • The Library for System Solutions End User Interface Reference
    The Library for System Solutions End User Interface Reference Document Number GG24-4107-00 July 1994 International Technical Support Organization Boca Raton Center Take Note! Before using this information and the product it supports, be sure to read the general information under “Special Notices” on page xi. First Edition (July 1994) This edition applies to IBM and non-IBM products for End User Interface development. Order publications through your IBM representative or the IBM branch office serving your locality. Publications are not stocked at the address given below. An ITSO Technical Bulletin Evaluation Form for reader′s feedback appears facing Chapter 1. If the form has been removed, comments may be addressed to: IBM Corporation, International Technical Support Organization Dept. 91J Building 235-2 Internal Zip 4423 901 NW 51st Street Boca Raton, Florida 33431-1328 When you send information to IBM, you grant IBM a non-exclusive right to use or distribute the information in any way it believes appropriate without incurring any obligation to you. Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 1994. All rights reserved. Note to U.S. Government Users — Documentation related to restricted rights — Use, duplication or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp. Abstract This document is part of the Library for Systems Solutions, which is intended for professionals involved in defining solutions in the heterogeneous computing environments. The library consists of three types of documents: • Computing Technology • Function Reference • Technology Reference This document is the Function Reference book regarding End User Interface. The book consists of two parts.
    [Show full text]
  • Microsoft Windows for MS
    Month Year Version Major Changes or Remarks Microsoft buys non-exclusive rights to market Pattersons Quick & Dirty Operating System from December 1980 QDOS Seattle Computer Products (Developed as 86-DOS) (Which is a clone of Digital Researches C P/M in virtually every respect) Microsoft buys all rights to 86-DOS from Seattle Computer Products, and the name MS-DOS is July 1981 86-DOS adopted for Microsoft's purposes and IBM PC- DOS for shipment with IBM PCs (For Computers with the Intel 8086 Processor) Digital Research release CP/M 86 for the Intel Q3 1981 CP/M 86 8086 Processer Pre-Release PC-DOS produced for IBM Personal Mid 1981 PC-DOS 1.0 Computers (IBM PC) Supported 16K of RAM, ~ Single-sided 5.25" 160Kb Floppy Disk OEM PC-DOS for IBM Corporation. (First August 1982 PC-DOS 1.1 Release Version) OEM Version for Zenith Computer Corporation.. (Also known as Z-DOS) This added support for September 1982 MS-DOS 1.25 Double-Sided 5.25" 320Kb Floppy Disks. Previously the disk had to be turned over to use the other side Digital Research release CP/M Plus for the Q4 1982 CP/M Plus Intel 8086 Processer OEM Version For Zenith - This added support for IBM's 10 MB Hard Disk, Directories and Double- March 1983 MS-DOS 2.0 Density 5.25" Floppy Disks with capacities of 360 Kb OEM PC-DOS for IBM Corporation. - Released March 1983 PC-DOS 2.0 to support the IBM XT Microsoft first announces it intention to create a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for its existing MS-DOS Operating System.
    [Show full text]
  • User Interface Software Tools
    User Interface Software Tools Brad A. Myers August 1994 CMU-CS-94-182 School of Computer Science Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Also appears as Human-Computer Interaction Institute Technical Report CMU-HCII-94-107 This report supersedes CMU-CS-92-114 from February, 1992, published as: Brad A. Myers. ‘‘State of the Art in User Interface Software Tools,’’ Advances in Human- Computer Interaction, Volume 4. Edited by H. Rex Hartson and Deborah Hix. Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing, 1993. pp. 110-150. Abstract Almost as long as there have been user interfaces, there have been special software systems and tools to help design and implement the user interface software. Many of these tools have demonstrated significant productivity gains for programmers, and have become important commercial products. Others have proven less successful at supporting the kinds of user interfaces people want to build. This article discusses the different kinds of user interface software tools, and investigates why some approaches have worked and others have not. Many examples of commercial and research systems are included. Finally, current research directions and open issues in the field are discussed. This research was sponsored by NCCOSC under Contract No. N66001-94-C-6037, ARPA Order No. B326. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of NCCOSC or the U.S. Government. CR CATEGORIES AND SUBJECT DESCRIPTORS: D.2.2 [Software Engineering]: Tools and Techniques-User Interfaces; H.1.2 [Models and Principles]: User/Machine Systems-Human Factors; H.5.2 [Information Interfaces and Presentation]: User Interfaces-User Interface Management Systems; I.2.2 [Artificial Intelligence]: Automatic Programming-Program Synthesis; ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS AND PHRASES: User Interface Software, Toolkits, Interface Builders, User Interface Development Environments.
    [Show full text]
  • Operating System: Windows
    Windows, in computer science, personal computer operating system sold by Microsoft Corporation that allows users to enter commands with a point-and-click device, such as a mouse, instead of a keyboard. An operating system is a set of programs that control the basic functions of a computer. The Windows operating system provides users with a graphical user interface (GUI), which allows them to manipulate small pictures, called icons, on the computer screen to issue commands. Windows is the most widely used operating system in the world. It is an extension of and replacement for Microsoft’s Disk Operating System (MS-DOS). The Windows GUI is designed to be a natural, or intuitive, work environment for the user. With Windows, the user can move a cursor around on the computer screen with a mouse. By pointing the cursor at icons and clicking buttons on the mouse, the user can issue commands to the computer to perform an action, such as starting a program, accessing a data file, or copying a data file. Other commands can be reached through pull-down or click-on menu items. The computer displays the active area in which the user is working as a window on the computer screen. The currently active window may overlap with other previously active windows that remain open on the screen. This type of GUI is said to include WIMP features: windows, icons, menus, and pointing device (such as a mouse). Computer scientists at the Xerox Corporation’s Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) invented the GUI concept in the early 1970s, but this innovation was not an immediate commercial success.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparing the SAS System Under OS/2 and Microsoft Windows Which
    comparing the SAS System under OS/2 and Microsoft Windows Which is right for you? Mark W. Cates SAS Institute Inc. Abstract As we enter into the 1990s, two operating systems are available to enhance productivity forcEersonalcomput­ ers and provide a future platform for PC software users. The two environments, OS/2 • version 1.3 and Microsoft Windows ® 3.0 provide fundamentally the same user interface and similar features, but the underly­ ing operating systems are radically different. Today, corporations large and small are deciding which operat­ ing system should be used in their organizations and for which applications. The platform for more powerful and mission critical applications is clearly OS/2. However, with the introduction and overwhelming accep­ tance of Windows 3.0, supporting DOS compatibility, a graphical user interface compatible with Presentation Manager, and access to extended and virtual memory, a large memory alternative to OS/2 is available. This paper discusses these two environments with respect to the SAS System. The paper presents the advantages and disadvantages of the operating systems, configuration issues, and future directions, with respect to the SAS System. Issues that are particularly important to the SAS System are described in detail. Finally, the implications of the new 32 bit OS/2 version 2.0 are presented. (In this paper, Microsoft Windows 3.0 will be referred to as an operating system. Actual~, Microsoft Windows is a layered operating environment that runs on top of the operating system PC DOS •. For purposes of this paper, the distinction between operating environment and operating system is not important.) SAS release status for OS/2 and Windows Version 6.06 of the SAS System has been in production for OS/2 1.2 and 1.3 Standard and Extended Edition, as well as Microsoft's OEM versions since November 1990.
    [Show full text]
  • Laser Printer
    15-292 History of Computing The GUI and the rise of Microsoft ! Based on slides originally published by Thomas J. Cortina in 2004 for a course at Stony Brook University. Revised in 2013 by Thomas J. Cortina for a computing history course at Carnegie Mellon University. Early History of the GUI l First real-time graphic display systems for computers are developed for the SAGE Project and Ivan Sutherland's Sketchpad system. l Doug Engelbart's Augmentation of Human Intellect project at SRI in the 1960s developed the On-Line System, which incorporated a mouse-driven cursor and multiple windows. Xerox PARC l Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center) was the birthplace of many foundations of modern computing l the mouse l the laser printer l the Smalltalk programming language l Interpress (a precursor to PostScript) l the Ethernet l Xerox PARC invents prototype of the world's first personal computer: the Alto l the first WYSIWYG editor, first commercial use of a mouse, graphical user interface, bit-mapped display Mouse l The mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart of Stanford Research Institute in 1963 after extensive usability testing. l He received a patent in Nov. 1970 for a "X-Y Position Indicator For A Display System". l He was the recipient of the 1997 ACM Turing Award. Engelbart l A later variation, invented in the early 1970s by Bill English at Xerox PARC, replaced the external wheels with a single ball which could rotate in any direction. Laser Printer l In 1938, Chester Carlson invented a dry printing process called xerography, commonly called a Xerox, the foundation technology for laser printers to come.
    [Show full text]
  • IBM Workplace Collaboration Services V2.6 and IBM Workplace Software Products V2.6
    Software Announcement January 17, 2006 IBM Workplace Collaboration Services V2.6 and IBM Workplace software products V2.6 Overview IBM Workplace Managed Client, the optional rich client for Workplace At a glance IBM Workplace Collaboration Collaboration Services users, helps Services and IBM Workplace make people more productive by IBM Workplace Collaboration Managed Client , the optional full enabling them to make better Services V2.6 and IBM Workplace rich client, are IBM Workplace informed decisions and take targeted software products V2.6: actions, fast. Because Workplace products that deliver a complete and • integrated collaborative platform. Managed Client is deployed, Integrate with IBM Workplace Built on open standards and provisioned, and managed from the Designer delivering network-based Workplace Collaboration Services • Include support for Lotus collaboration to users of all types, server, it offers Workplace Managed Notes and Domino V7.0 IBM Workplace products are Client functions with operational changing the way organizations characteristics that are comparable • Provide interoperability with the collaborate. to Web browsers. Key “better than Lotus Notes calendar browser” capabilities include local • IBM Workplace Collaboration execution of code, an encrypted data Support out-of-office Services delivers an integrated store with offline use support, and a notifications collaborative environment that full array of productivity tools • Contain block mail send for includes a wide range of capabilities including word processor, quota enforcement like e-mail, calendaring, presence spreadsheet, Presentation awareness, instant messaging, Manager , and project planner. • Enhance Web conference learning, team spaces, Web Workplace Managed Client also management conferencing, document and Web includes a capability called “Activity • Have document management content management.
    [Show full text]
  • Why OS/2 2.0
    Why OS/2 2.0 October 1992 IBM Personal Systems ii Why OS/2 2.0 Preface Trademark Acknowledgements The following terms are trademarks or registered trademarks of the IBM Corporation in the United States and/or other countries: IBM PS/2 RISC System/6000 OS/2 Operating System/2 Presentation Manager SAA Systems Application Architecture Extended Services Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks. Windows, Windows NT, Win32, and Win32s are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Disclaimer Some of the information in this paper concerns future products, or future releases of current, commercially available products. Discussion of Windows is based on information which the Microsoft Corporation has made publicly available as of October 1, 1992, or information in the public trade press and is subject to change. IBM's future products and their performance, functions and availability are based upon IBM's current intent and are subject to change. Special Notices References in this publication to IBM's current and future products, programs or services do not imply that IBM intends to make these generally available in all countries in which IBM operates. IBM may have patents or pending patent applications covering subject matter in this document. This document does not grant anyone a license to those patents, patent applications or to any other IBM intellectual property. Preface iii iv Why OS/2 2.0 Contents Executive Summary 1 Why OS/2 Surpasses both Windows 3.x and Windows NT 1 Why OS/2? 3 The best of both worlds 3 Freedom of Choice 3 A productive environment for the user 3 A platform you can rely on 4 Superior connectivity 4 The integrated system 4 32-bit power 4 Platform for growth 5 Value for money 5 Protects today's investment, and is a base for the future 5 What are some alternatives to OS/2? 7 Windows 3.x 7 Windows NT 9 The Windows client-server strategy 11 Windows Myths 13 Myth #1: The marketplace has chosen - Windows is the standard.
    [Show full text]
  • Oral History of Lee Lorenzen
    Oral History of Lee Lorenzen Interviewed by: Dag Spicer Recorded May 24, 2017 Mountain View, CA CHM Reference number: X8217.2017 © 2017 Computer History Museum Table of Contents Early Family Life and Schooling ................................................................................................. 4 Decision to Leave the Air Force and First Computing Job .......................................................... 7 Southern Methodist University ................................................................................................... 9 Early Computer Users and Business Applications .....................................................................11 First Job at Xerox ......................................................................................................................12 Early Work on Graphical User Interfaces at Xerox ....................................................................14 Star ...........................................................................................................................................15 Lone Star ..................................................................................................................................16 Xerox’s Patents, Licensing, and Commercialization ..................................................................19 WYSIWYG and Desktop Applications .......................................................................................20 Move to Digital Research and GEM ..........................................................................................21
    [Show full text]
  • Multimodal, Asynchronously Shared Slide Shows As a Design Strategy for Engineering Distributed Work in the National Airspace System
    MULTIMODAL, ASYNCHRONOUSLY SHARED SLIDE SHOWS AS A DESIGN STRATEGY FOR ENGINEERING DISTRIBUTED WORK IN THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University By Roger James Chapman, B.S, M.S. * * * * * The Ohio State University 2002 Dissertation Committee: Approved by: Professor Philip J. Smith Professor Charles E. Billings ___________________________________ Adviser Professor Nadine Sarter Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering Graduate Program Copyright by Roger James Chapman 2002 ABSTRACT This research focused on the design and evaluation of a multimodal asynchronous communications tool that uses an annotated slide show structure for messages, to support collaborative analysis of post-operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). Voice-based asynchronous annotations communicated between writers working collaboratively have been found to support more extensive discussion of problems in draft documents and to be preferred over text based discussion for some types of feedback. People point naturally when discussing the content of a shared image, and voice synchronized with pointing in asynchronous annotation systems has been found to be more efficient in scheduling tasks, than voice-only, or text only communication. Synchronized voice and pointing has also been shown to focus attention and improve retention of information in multimedia presentation systems. This research involved investigating how
    [Show full text]
  • A History of the GUI 11/3/11 9:20 PM
    A History of the GUI 11/3/11 9:20 PM A History of the GUI By Jeremy Reimer | Published 6 years ago Introduction Today, almost everybody in the developed world interacts with personal computers in some form or another. We use them at home and at work, for entertainment, information, and as tools to leverage our knowledge and intelligence. It is pretty much assumed whenever anyone sits down to use a personal computer that it will operate with a graphical user interface. We expect to interact with it primarily using a mouse, launch programs by clicking on icons, and manipulate various windows on the screen using graphical controls. But this was not always the case. Why did computers come to adopt the GUI as their primary mode of interaction, and how did the GUI evolve to be the way it is today? In what follows, I?ll be presenting a brief introduction to the history of the GUI. The topic, as you might expect, is broad, and very deep. This article will touch on the high points, while giving an overview of GUI development. Prehistory Like many developments in the history of computing, some of the ideas for a GUI computer were thought of long before the technology was even available to build such a machine. One of the first people to express these ideas was Vannevar Bush. In the early 1930s he first wrote of a device he called the "Memex," which he envisioned as looking like a desk with two touch screen graphical displays, a keyboard, and a scanner attached to it.
    [Show full text]