Personal System
The SB will support the design and implementation of personal computer systems. The personal computer should include features to serve the user. All of these features should be designed to serve, benefit and protect the individual owner/user, not some vendor or external interest. The software should be designed for efficiency and low cost.
Following are suggestions as how a personal computer can serve an individual and at the same time interface with global knowlege. I try to address topics that apply to every individual to some extent. It is obvious that one cannot design a system appropriate for everyone. It is equally obvious there would be a great deal of commonality accross a broad spectrum of individuals, families and organizations. I would like to hear from you all out there about open software that does a good job of addressing these problems. (jmh 7:14 PM 6/20/20057:14 PM 6/20/2005)
Maintenance(Meals, Cleaning, Servicing, etc.)
The system may perform planning scheduling of tasks routine tasks that plague every day. Prepare meal menus and shopping lists. Plan household cleaning. Take care of scheduling maintenance of all our possessions, homes, cars, computers, tools, toys, accounts, etc.Entertain(Music, Movies, Games)
Your personal computer can determine your entertainment preferences and provide what you want an an optimum price and schedule while avoiding conflicts with others in the household. Endless hours channel surfing can be avoided. Missing important events can be minimized. Bandwidth can be more efficiently used.Manage Contacts
In this day and age we all have a variety of contacts to manage. People don't just have names any more. They have last names, titles, first names, kicknames, handles, usernames call signs, fax,cell, home, work phone numbers. They have home, work, vacation and email addresses. Qualify all that with schedules, working hours, sleep and meal habits, etc. The little black book just isn't adequate anymore.Schedule Activities
Human beings, plants, businesses, weather, transportation, recreation, health maintenance, resources are all qualified by schedules. Your personal computer can help optimize you schedule to avoid missed appointments, harassinq close calls and general grief.Manage Contracts(Insurance, Warranties)
We buy insurance to manage risks such as accidents, bad health,storms,fire and legal liability. When the time comes, we must act intellignetly. We must take the required steps to collect what we have paid for. Many of our purchases includied warrantees which we should exercise when appropriate. Each of us enters into a variety of contracts which include obligations and benifits. We should be aware of our obligations and know what we have coming to us.Security
Our computer should stand guard and protect us from corrupting influences. Protect us from malignant virus that capture control of or resources, corrupt our data and feed us lies. Antivirus software should immediately detect invasions and protect us from our own negligence and carelessness.Educate and Inform
The system should know our corrent and long range education objectives and present us with training in the essential basics of our curriculum. Inadditionit should be on the lookout for new training opportunities that can help achieve our goals. Make available tutorials and exercises to hone our skills. Provide for certification of our capabilities.Finances(Budget,Pay Bills, Manage Accounts)
Everyone should be fiscally responsible. Let your computer monitor your resources and budget your expenses. Heed its advice. Your computer should have access to the latest sound advice on how to save and when to spend. Dont let GeneralMotors advise you on buying a new vehicle... They dont really have your best interest in mind.File and Internet Browser
This is your personal view of your conputer, LAN, and the Internet.Database
This is the system for maintaining your personal information in a secure reliable fashion.Search Engine
For finding informationHelp and Tutorials
Your computer should know the level of your knowlege and interest and should be able to direct you rapidly and effeciently to technical information you require to surmount problemd as they arise.Personality Profile
A collection describing the user and the users preferences.Health
Manage medical history,treatments,medications,diet,exerciseCharity and Donations
Your computer should know what causes you wish to support and the amount of time, money, and energy you have for charitable causes. You should be freed from continual solicitations and be able to say no with a clear conscience when asked to donate.Summary
Your personnal computer can have a profound impact on your life style. It can save your marriage or help you avoid marriage. It can free you to work more effectively or it can free you from work. -- OR-- It can make your life continually miserable.It is up to you to make sure your computer knows what you want and how you want to interface. The problems you have are shared by millions of others out there. Work together to find suitable solutions. Benefit from the experience of others. Accept the work of experts. The world will continue to change.. Go with the flow. The computer can provide the adaptability and flexibility to cope with the dynamics of a rapidly changing world.