Re: time for a flamewar, or ... what about grdb

[jg pa dec com (Jim Gettys)]

Miguel writes:
>
> I think that for a PDA application I want a user interface that is
> taylored for the PDA.
>
> This is where I think PocketPC (Windows CE) gets everything wrong.
> They are trying to use the same user interface code for pen computers
> and keyboard-based computers.  That is why the thing is so odd to use.
>

Yup.  You are correct...

But this view doesn't go far enough, IMHO: I want to be able to use the same application, but set up for the display's abilities.

If the screen is small, etc, I want one UI, optimized for that environment,
but I'll drop my iPAQ onto the network and use a nearby display, keyboard and
mouse when it is convenient. When I need to type, I sure don't want to use
a touch screen.  I'll want a better UI, when I have more real-estate and
input devices.  And I don't want to have to write N applications.

That goes WAY beyond what WinCE and Palms can do.  Start thinking of
a PDA as a handheld network computer, rather than as a dongle on a wire.
                 - Jim