Document: WM-069 P. Webb
Category: Computing 2025.05.14
Next‑Generation Computing
Abstract
What does it look like?
Body
Typically a post like this would begin with the history of computing
but eff all that, here’s what I want to see in a
next‑generation computer!
1. Hardware
Have you seen the Jonathan Computer[1]? No? I talk[2] about[3]
it[4] all[5] the[6] time[7]. John Buck published "Inventing The
Future," a massive collection of first‑hand accounts about the
technology that enabled Apple’s rise and the products that
solidified Apple as a force to be reckoned with. After the
Macintosh, Apple was figuring out what to do next and had several
teams working to create the Next Big Thing.
One such Thing was the Jonathan (named after its creator, Jonathan
Fitch, and the strain of apple), a modular computer that was WAY
ahead of its time. You could have multiple operating systems and
peripherals in the same computer and it looked rad as fuck. The
CEO of Apple at the time, John Sculley, shut it down because he
lacked vision. Okay, he was worried (for some reason) that
customers using such an open system would actually prefer Windows
over Mac. This was 1985. 40 years ago.
Imagine what computing would look like today if the Jonathan was
given the chance to get to market.
I want this.
2. Software
In early 2016, Lennart Ziburski released his vision for a
forward‑thinking desktop interface called "Desktop Neo[8]." I’ve
been obsessed with its horizontally scrolling full‑screen
interface (just look at my homepage[9]). I was taken aback by its
insistence of replacing folders with tags and search (over the
past decade I’ve come around to many of the concepts
Ziburski presented).
The Mercury OS[10] vision presented by Jason Yuan is 2019 is
another take on a modern OS, albeit focused on tablet computers.
Like the Neo, it eschews the idea that we’ll be futzing around
with folders, and apps take a backseat in terms of opinionated and
distinctive UI to being more of an API that the OS takes advantage
of. So then the importance of application design is less visual
and more technical…personally, I don’t hate it but the product
designers of the world may balk.
3. Putting it Together
So we have the ideas of Desktop Neo rattling my brain and at some
point I stumble upon the Jonathan and Mercury OS and I go…what.
What if…no way, that’d be sick. WHOAH THAT’D BE SICK AF!! WHY IS
NO ONE DOING THIS, JUST COMBINEÂ THEM!
About a month ago I get real antsy and mockup some logos for this
combined concept, ruminate on the feasibility of the
next‑generation interface I’m dreaming of, snag a domain name (now
you know I’m serious), and figure out a BOM (Bill Of Materials)
for the hardware. I’m no stranger to building a UI that feels good
to me but hardware is an intricate, opaque beast.
I’ve joked[5] about launching this computer in 28 years to account
for me not knowing what I don’t know, but I really hope it doesn’t
take that long.
4. Who wants this?
I want this.
Besides me though? Education, researchers, people who want a
desktop version of what the fine folks at Framework[11] are doing.
Looking at the computing landscape today, Apple is the clear
winner for creatives of all stripes and developers who are serious
about getting things done. Despite this, I feel systemSOFT[12] can
fit into spaces where Apple lacks interest (which, for a trillion
dollar corporation means several millions if not billions of
dollars worth of opportunity for focused upstarts).
I believe there’s a market for open hardware and software and
services. To quote[13] Tom Toedtman, a developer who pleaded with
John Sculley to let the Jonathan continue development:
Obvious non‑obsolescence
This design REMOVES THE FEAR that this computer will be obsolete
next year. It will also remove a similar cause of hesitation —
“I’ll wait for the next model to be released”.
System growth capability is far beyond marketplace offerings.
This is a great point of sale asset, particularly for serious
users, businesses with growth plans, and individuals with a
growing future.
True multi‑master coprocessing. The right architecture
for tomorrow.
Configuration flexibility is also far beyond the marketplace.
Jonathan can be loaded in any mix of current and future hardware
by the customer. Fileserver, process controller, and numerous
other special applications are now viable.
How many times has Apple been accused of "planned obsolescence"?
How many times have their competitors mocked them for it, before
being accused of doing the same?
In our increasingly technological world, affordable (and
uncompromised) computing is vital. The systemÂą[14] hardware starts
small and expands over time, to fit your needs. Fixed
configurations have their place, sure, but incremental upgrades
are powerful. It’s time for purpose‑built computing.
🕸️