The GUI Evolution

Ever since the first computer landed on the desktop there has been an ongoing evolution of functionality and easy of use for the end user. The in the last few years security has not only become a concern, but a demand.

The biggest leap for ease of use has been the development of the Graphic User Interface (GUI). The GUI gave us the point and click. This convenience put a drain on our processors and RAM. Just having a GUI finding the right program that will do what the command line function would do became an ongoing task. As people used their computer’s more their monitor screen had to be easy to understand along with eye pleasing colors.

The command line requires typing exact commands with all the spacing. There is a great deal of human memory to remember the different commands and their switches for additional functions. Today, only hardcore programmers use command line. Oh did I mention that using command line does not require as much processor and RAM.

Computer hardware manufactures have had to keep up with the demands of the individuals who sit behind the computer. File sizes have gotten larger. Programs have required faster computers with larger memory just to type a letter.

Microsoft with Vista and Office 2007 are struggling to make to a GUI easy operating system, but other product with easy to use, and secure. Apple and the open source community have to deal with this tall order for a technology. We must remember that computers, as we know them, are less than half-century-old. Yes, we have made leap and bounds in the last 50 years. However, let us have patience with the programmers. They have an immense task to accomplish.