Similarities between the graphical user interface and the Web
browser
The graphical user interface and the web browser are very similar, as they
are both user friendly - by utilising computer graphics, icons, computing
metaphors and 'point and click' technology to carry out commands, they have
opened up PC technology to non-specialists.
Future developments
Any future developments will almost certainly affect both of these technologies.
At present they make use of the 'point and click' technology of carrying
out commands. The way forward is likely to be voice recognition applications,
where the computer user would give spoken commands. This could possible result
in the mouse and keyboard being made obsolete in the near future.
Microsoft Research is already working on a new program that could change
radically the way that we use the PC. The
Persona
project is exploring social user interfaces, and will take the form of
a conversational assistant using speech recognition. W3C is working to expand
access to the Web to allow people to interact with Web sites via spoken
commands.
The W3C User Interface Domain is working
on several projects related to GUI's and Web browsers. Their mission statement
is 'The User Interface Domain seeks to improve all user/computer communications
on the Web. In particular, the Domain is working on formats and languages
that will present information to users with more accuracy and a higher level
of control'.
The GUI
3D
graphics will be used in future generations of the GUI. This will make the
screen more interactive, although this might not appeal to all users, as
it could seem more like a games consul than a computer.
The Web browser
At present the browser's limitations are connected partly to the speed
that the pages can be seen on the computer screen. This is to do with the
modem speed and the bandwidth.
There are already faster options (ASDL) for both of these
and further developments will be made in this area.
As new technology is used in the writing of Web pages, new codes will be
developed to replace HTML. Older browsers may not have the capabilities to
display the new codes and a plug-in will be needed to
over come this problem. These plug-ins are likely to become more and more
complex and their capabilities will be greater.
The Mozilla (the original name for Netscape's browser) is the
open source version of the once dominant Netscape browser.
Mozilla is thought of
as more than just a browser, as it has the potential to run applications
such as word processors and spreadsheets.
Conclusion
From my research it appears that future developments are more likely
to be made in the area of Web browsers than in respect of the GUI
interface.
3D A version of what
a 3D GUI might look
like.
zdnet
news
mozilla.org
Books
Hutchinson (1999) Dictionary of Computing Multimedia and the Internet.
Helicon publishing Ltd.
Freiberger, P.& Swaine, M. (2000) Fire in the valley.
McGraw-Hill
Internet
BBC Web wise
Glossary of Internet
terms
pcwebopedia
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