Answer to Question #317478 in Computer Networks for Yanda

Question

Discuss how do you think new, fast, high-density memory devices and quick processor have influenced recent development in human computer interaction, do they make systems any easier to use, and expand the range of application of computer systems?

Answer 1

Arguably it is not so much the increase in computer power as the decrease in thecost of that power which has had the most profound effect. Because, ‘ordinary’users have powerful machines on their desktops it has become possible to view that power as available for the interface rather than hoarded for number crunching applications.

Modern graphical interaction consumes vast amounts of processing power and

would have been completely impossible only a few years ago. There is an extent

to which systems have to run faster to stay still, in that as screen size, resolution and colour range increase, so does the necessary processing power to maintain the ‘same’ interaction. However, this extra processing is not really producing the same effect, screen quality is still a major block on effective interaction.

The increase in RAM means that larger programs can be written, effectively

allowing the programmer ‘elbow room’. This is used in two ways: to allow extra

functionality and to support easier interaction. Whether the former really improves usability is debatable — unused functionality is a good marketing point, but is of no benefit to the user. The ease of use of a system is often determined by a host of small features, such as the appropriate choice of default options. These features

make the interface seem ‘simple’, but make the program very complex.