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So,
what is it that differentiates one PC system from another? It is
difficult to say, but basically it’s all about how well systems are bolted
together, how compatible the parts are with the loaded software, how they
organize the peripherals, and so on. The big problem, though, is compatibility
, which is all about peripherals looking the same,
that is having the same IRQ, the same I/O address,
and so on.
The PC is an amazing device that has allowed computers to move from
technical specialists to, well, anyone. However, they are also one of
the most annoying of pieces of technology of all time, in terms of their
software, their operating systems, and their hardware.
If we bought a car and it failed at least a few times every day,
we would take it back and demand another one. When that failed, we would
demand our money back. Or, sorry I could go on forever here, imagine a
toaster that failed half way through making a piece of toast,
and we had to turn the power off, and restart it. We just wouldn’t allow
it.
So why does the PC lead such a privileged life? Well it’s because
it’s so useful and multitalented, although it doesn’t really excel at
much. Contrast a simple games computer against the PC and you find many
lessons in how to make a computer easy to use, and configure. One of the
main reasons for many of its problems is the compatibility with
previous systems both in terms of hardware compatibility and software
compatibility (and dodgy software, of course). The big change on the PC
was the introduction of proper 32-bit software, Windows 95/NT .
In the future, systems will be configured by the operating system ,
not by the user. How many people understand what an IRQ is,
or what I/O addresses are? Maybe if the PC faced some proper competition
it would become easy to use and totally reliable. Then when they were switched
on they would configure themselves automatically, and you could connect
any device you wanted and it would understand how to configure (we’re nearly
there, but it’s still not perfect). Then we would have a tool which could
be used to improve creativity and you didn’t need a degree in computer engineering
to use one (in your dreams!). But, anyway, it’s keeping a lot of technical
people in a job, so, don’t tell anyone our little secret. The Apple Macintosh
was a classic example of a well-designed computer that was designed as a
single unit. When initially released it started up with messages like I’m
glad to be out of that bag
and Hello, I am Macintosh. Never trust a computer you cannot lift.
© W.
Buchanan, 2000
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