The way I remember it is this: Apple and IBM competed for individual home computer dominance. Other tries preceded Apple's. IBM only got into the effort after IBM's internal struggle between the mainframe, large clunky and profitable computers guys and the small desktop sized guys. Apple came out with the Macintosh computer, which included a mouse and a 2-dimensional screen that showed icons, little pictures of what would be launched if you "clicked" the mouse on them. [Does a mouse click?] Things puttered along as Microsoft, contracted by IBM, made the software to the run its "personal computer", and then expanded to software "operating systems" that could be installed in the small computers several firms were making by then.
All this was accomplished by zillions of programmers inventing software and zillions of engineers and inventors making small and large changes, all with an eye on what the boss would allow, what the government and the law would allow, and what the market would support. While things were perking along, Napster seemed like a good idea. I buy a music album and some of the songs on it are of interest to you, so I send you electronic copies of those songs. That is P2P (peer to peer) file sharing but the snag is that I am not legally allowed to copy those songs and give them to you.
Since people are finding more and more ways to digitize (reduce to numbers) song, sight and print, one of the big questions today is who owns what and what that ownership entails. But ways are being found around most obstacles and things are moving along. The Apple iPod used a system that protected the copyrights and was successful in 1000 songs to be played from my pocket. As technology advanced and new ideas dawned, it became possible to add telephone capabilities to the iPod and then include access to the internet and all its endless features. While these lines were developing, Amazon saw the emerging possibilities of electronic transfer of books. It offered the first Kindle in 2007, five years ago. The electronics in the Kindle were suggestive of what was selling so well in the iPod and iPhone line and the Kindle steadily drifted from only a reading device to a full-powered "tablet", like the recent and extremely successful iPad.
The Apple iPad and the Kindle tablet "Fire" included the emerging movement of open and semi-open software where others could modify and add to the programs. So, we have nearly half a million apps that can fit into the Apple software or its main opponent, Google's Android software.
The app called "Words With Friends" came to my attention when some new Fire users I know explained the fun they were having playing a Scrabble-like game over the internet with friends, relatives and total strangers who want to play. Both Scrabble and Words with Friends played between tablets and maybe computers (I am not sure if they can be found and used on computers) remind me of poker games that can be ongoing and can accommodate players who want to have a game. It strikes me that many people enjoy playing a game who are not attracted to chatting or texting or emailing. Just as Facebook and Twitter (very short messages only from those you choose to "follow") have taken a big place in people's attention, maybe people will enjoy games together. Playing with friends and relatives, occasionally adding a new friendship with someone who likes word games, is clearly a fascinating pleasure.
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Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
All this was accomplished by zillions of programmers inventing software and zillions of engineers and inventors making small and large changes, all with an eye on what the boss would allow, what the government and the law would allow, and what the market would support. While things were perking along, Napster seemed like a good idea. I buy a music album and some of the songs on it are of interest to you, so I send you electronic copies of those songs. That is P2P (peer to peer) file sharing but the snag is that I am not legally allowed to copy those songs and give them to you.
Since people are finding more and more ways to digitize (reduce to numbers) song, sight and print, one of the big questions today is who owns what and what that ownership entails. But ways are being found around most obstacles and things are moving along. The Apple iPod used a system that protected the copyrights and was successful in 1000 songs to be played from my pocket. As technology advanced and new ideas dawned, it became possible to add telephone capabilities to the iPod and then include access to the internet and all its endless features. While these lines were developing, Amazon saw the emerging possibilities of electronic transfer of books. It offered the first Kindle in 2007, five years ago. The electronics in the Kindle were suggestive of what was selling so well in the iPod and iPhone line and the Kindle steadily drifted from only a reading device to a full-powered "tablet", like the recent and extremely successful iPad.
The Apple iPad and the Kindle tablet "Fire" included the emerging movement of open and semi-open software where others could modify and add to the programs. So, we have nearly half a million apps that can fit into the Apple software or its main opponent, Google's Android software.
The app called "Words With Friends" came to my attention when some new Fire users I know explained the fun they were having playing a Scrabble-like game over the internet with friends, relatives and total strangers who want to play. Both Scrabble and Words with Friends played between tablets and maybe computers (I am not sure if they can be found and used on computers) remind me of poker games that can be ongoing and can accommodate players who want to have a game. It strikes me that many people enjoy playing a game who are not attracted to chatting or texting or emailing. Just as Facebook and Twitter (very short messages only from those you choose to "follow") have taken a big place in people's attention, maybe people will enjoy games together. Playing with friends and relatives, occasionally adding a new friendship with someone who likes word games, is clearly a fascinating pleasure.
--
Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
