Next‑Generation Computing

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!

Hardware

Have you seen the Jonathan Computer1? No? I talk2 about3 it4 all5 the6 time7. 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.

Software

In early 2016, Lennart Ziburski released his vision for a forward‑thinking desktop interface called "Desktop Neo8." I've been obsessed with its horizontally scrolling full‑screen interface (just look at my homepage9). 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 OS10 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.

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 COMBINE 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 joked5 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.

Who wants this?

I want this.

Besides me though? Education, researchers, people who want a desktop version of what the fine folks at Framework11 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 systemSOFT12 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 quote13 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 system¹14 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.

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