Sometimes, there is too much of a willingness to gloss over, or completely dismiss the concept behind the term ‘elegance’ when used to refer to current computer technologies. Maybe the term itself is misleading; perhaps ‘efficiency’ is a better word. In these posts, the Amiga has been used as an example of what computer technology could have become, simply because a), this is an Amiga forum, and b), in its time, it so far eclipsed what then-current computers were doing, that it makes a good candidate for ‘what if’ scenarios.
Throughout these discussions, I have taken a few basic tactical positions.
1). The current technological limitations (many listed here in this thread) are merely obstacles to be overcome, which is, rightfully, all they can be seen as, or we’re stating that we are basically ‘finished’ when it comes to evolution of computing machines. I, too, am impressed with the specs of current graphic accelerator technology, but I also understand that being too enamored of the achievements of the present, can endanger, or, at least, severely hamper whatever possibilities may exist for the future. The proper attitude should always be ‘that’s good, but, how can it be done even better’.
2). Every technological advantage we enjoy and take for granted today was once seen as an impossible, or insurmountable challenge. ‘No problem is unsolvable’ is the mantra that must always be adapted whenever pushing this envelope (be it graphics manipulation, power sources, memory and storage issues, or power problems) to the next level, or there simply will be no ‘next level’.
3). As technology moves forward, it becomes more and more important to get these jobs done in the most efficient manner possible (read: elegant). Why? How large (and hot) does a graphics accelerator have to get, before its too unwieldy? Right now, they’ve almost doubled in size, and require their own power supplies. Will cpus follow suit? Even thought hard drives now sport massive amounts of storage, their size hasn’t really changed that much: a good thing. Hence, they still fit in current machines. But, what about reliable storage solutions for smaller devices, which are the future? There is an entire host of them, CF Cards, Secure Digital, USB devices, and of course, notebook variety HDs, but none of them has, as of yet, approached the truly massive capacities, and reliability, that today’s users and applications expect and demand. And, there’s the heat problem with them as well. Again, better designs, and new solutions to old, ‘insurmountable’ problems, are absolutely necessary. It could be that somehow combining these two technologies into an as yet, unforeseen new hybrid will be the answer.
Another reason why better design is a requirement for continued evolution of these machines, or, it’s a scientific fact, they will reach of point where evolution is no longer possible. This is a command fact of physics. Example: Ever fired a gun, or shot a bow and arrow at a distant target, or, even lifted an extremely heavy weight? What these things all have in common with computer design is an increasing need for accuracy and precision, as magnitude, unit of measure, and quantity increases. Although its very easy to hit a target that’s only a few feet away, hitting that same target becomes extremely difficult, when its several dozen yards away, since the greater amount (of the distance) magnifies errors of aim and execution from insignificant ones, to formidable ones. The slightest misjudgment, the merest shaking or movement of the bow (or gun) are greatly multiplied, and increased, as the distance is traversed, and the projectile travels farther and farther from the point of origination. (Anyone who has ever done any power lifting, or bodybuilding knows the same holds true: errors in sloppy execution are greatly increased as the weight increases, to a point where it becomes impossible to perform an extremely heavy lift without perfect technique). These same laws and principles, hold true, of course, for any increased amplitude of performance, such as speed, and overall efficiency, when applied to machines, as well, and computers, for all their glory, are nothing more than very precise machines. As they grow in power, that precision must be extremely accurate and efficient.
So, at what point do current machines become so bloated that they can no long (efficiently) support their own weight? Too noisy, too hot, too much storage required, too much power? These are all valid concerns, since poor solutions could easily move them out of the market of practicality, and affordability. A lot of these problems could be solved right now, if better, more efficient ways were used to implement them. While its true that sometimes “Elegance directly conflicts with human nature”, it’s also equally true that everyone can generally ‘have their cake, and eat it too”, with a little more innovation in the areas of better, more efficient technology implementation, instead of ‘hack’ solutions, i.e., ‘just make it bigger, stick on another power socket’, shove in more RAM, add more transistors’. There is a point of no return, where, not only will these solutions no longer be enough, they’ll actually begin to ‘trip over themselves’, collapsing under their own weight, and severely compromising the very systems they support. This is happening right now: a well-known fact to CPU designers at Intel and AMD, and all hard drive manufacturers, who must constantly come up with new ways to ‘shoe-horn’ in more storage capacity. They all realize that soon, they must ‘hit the wall’, and come up with a newer, more innovative, better way, or die. Its just another example of where increased quantities demand more and more accuracy of execution, and more efficient solutions.
