Human computer Intetaction Discussion

The 1st topic discussed in the text is the lack of originality in the futuristic representation of interfaces. The "operation Swordfish" is a good exemple, the hacker is operating a multi-screen (nothing new) computer. The hacking process is done in a 3d environment represented by cubes attaching to one another ... if hacking was as easy as it looked in the movie any one could do hack. The process representation is quite simplistic & was more intended to appeal visualy not mentaly. But this represents well the ongoing interest of our society for visually appealing products. Wich is in itself not a bad thing as long as content come with the contenant. For exemple the MAC laptop new design.

It seems that interfaces are getting more & more user-friedly, I guess that is why StarTrek episodes uses voice regonition on their ship. Althought many research are working toward that, we are far from the Startrek technology. Also, what has not been discussed or shown in any movie, at my knoledge, is the sight recognition. An interface capable of locating where the user is looking at & to open a file/folder, that would be quiet user-friendly & effortless.

A device that attracted my attention is the eye scanner in "Minority Report". It is used to greet clients getting in stores & also for security measures. This brings of course a personal privacy issue. If that device shall eve come into existence one day, I think it would be of great benifit to use in in public spaces since it is public, but no such device should be used in private spaces such as homes.

What I'v been familiar with because of my long standing roleplaying knowledge is the "Cyber Jack", a socket behind the skull alowing the user to connect any computer directly to his brain. Both movies "The Matrix" & "Johny Mnemonic" posses this concept both developed differently. Some researches with animal wetware are currently in progress.
http://www.fishandchips.uwa.edu.au/project.html
I seems kind of odd to think that the brain could speak to a computer & vice-versa, well both fondementaly work the same way with electric transmission.

The Final subject, I would like to approach is the use of transparency in the displays. On most of the interfaces shown the display used transparency.For Instance in "Minority Report", "Operation SwordFish", "The Matrix" & "The Matrix: Reloaded", "Forbidden Planet", "Star Wars", "StaTrekEnterprise", "The Time machine", "Total Recall" etc . I wounder why ? It is because there is so much information that the use of transparency is absolutly needed to see what is happening being the transparent objects or is it just used as a more visual appealing element. Also, the hologram in most representations is represented as transparent, with the only exeption of the StarTrek holodeck, wich in this case it can also create the illusion of being a real object enabling to interact with it.