What parts of our modern computing experience have solidified early on and haven’t changed much ever since?
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Mass market Human Interface Devices (HID):
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Raster scan, square pixel, video display(s). A bit-mapped framebuffer is used by the video card to drive the display, not a software-controlled dynamic serial video signal.
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Audio output
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Keyboard, mouse, tablet input
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Touchscreen
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Telecommunications analogy for remote computer access
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Command-line protocol for system administration, programming, debugging, and other highly technical computer uses
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Text editors
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Text-based programming languages
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Computer games, especially those that only use mass-market input and output devices
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Small graphical user interface controls.
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Logon screens, screen lock
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Computer terminal access methodology
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Telephony and video conferencing/calls
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E-mail
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Audio/video playback software
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Web page access
Our modern computing world has some constructs that, though not universal, have become very popular for specific popular device classes.
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Smartphones and tablets
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Integrated video camera, i.e. “video input”
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Integrated microphone, i.e. “audio input”
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Laptops and desktops
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“Windows” that separate out applications, documents, web pages, etc. in the graphical user interface on the larger screen area.
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“Rich text” editors. What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG), especially noteworthy given the more advanced text editing available, compared to smartphones and tablets.
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“Office productivity suite”: word processor, spreadsheet software, slide presentation software
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Game consoles
- “Game pads,” i.e. video game joystick controllers