Computer Science & Fantasy

Pre 2002

Creative Software

The debate about the possibility of Artificial Intelligence has been raging for thirty-odd years. Assuming that it can be achieved in some sense, software should be learnt to write software. Maybe an AI program could learn how to develop software better than humans can. Rarely in any field of engineering, is a 50% success rate for projects expected, let alone tolerated.

PC As A Database

The file system of a personal computer is arranged in such a way that once there are a few hundred files on your computer's hard disk, it becomes difficult to find them again. Especially if you have not accessed them for some time.

SQL is a language that is relatively easy to learn, and gives the user a powerful way to find specific items in a large group of items based on certain criteria. You may be looking for
a specific picture, or a particular document. SQL allows you to find it much more easily. If everything saved on a computer was catalogued and indexed automatically, or by the user entering a few keywords describing that file, you could find information again easily, even after you forgot where you saved it.

The files and information would be stored in a database format rather than a hierarchical file system.

Computer Interface Agent

The computer interface, whether it is Windows or Linux, provides the user with a set of tools designed to enable them to complete tasks and store and retrieve information. However, over the course of using any computer for a period time, the sheer number of documents and files on the hard drive make retrieval a time-consuming process, if it is possible at all.

Another problem with operating systems with graphical interfaces is arranging and managing a large number of open windows.

An agent that continuously runs in the background could provide solutions to these problems.

It would at least contain the following features:

Easily maintainable To Do List
Contains the ability to group applications into levels that appear as a group instead of separate windows for each application
All key entries are logged and indexed to be searchable

A jog/shuttle control should allow easier navigation of previous key entries

All items discovered on the internet to be searchable and automatically indexed locally
No mouse unless required for visual design work
A list of open applications or documents needs hot keys for jumping between them
Any computer operations that are not "one way" can be reversed
Published internet documents should be viewable for a small fee if the information contained within it is entertaining or valuable.

This will encourage the production of valuable content and entertainment