Haptic feedback is crucial for enhancing computer interactions and prioritizing physicality and embodiment.
Dynamic Land's communal physical computer approach replaces traditional interfaces with tables to manipulate computer programs, fostering social programming systems.
Well-designed haptic systems and customizable software greatly enhance user experience and allow for tailored digital tools.
Deep dives
Building new computer interfaces and ways of programming
Omar Riswan, a computer interface and programming enthusiast, discusses the importance of haptic feedback in computer interactions. He emphasizes the desire to touch and feel objects on a computer, and how current interfaces limit our ability to do so. Omar explores the cultural and technological constraints that have shaped computer interfaces, and proposes alternative approaches that prioritize physicality and embodiment.
Creating a communal physical computer - Dynamic Land
Dynamic Land, founded by Bret Victor, aims to create a communal physical computer where the entire building is a single computer. Omar shares his experience working at Dynamic Land, where tables with cameras and projectors replace traditional computer interfaces. He discusses the benefits of using physical objects on these tables to manipulate computer programs, as well as the power of programming systems within a social context.
The potential of haptic feedback and customization
Omar explores the potential of haptic feedback in devices such as the iPhone and PlayStation 5 controller. He highlights the effectiveness of well-designed haptic systems in enhancing user experience and enabling new interactions. He also discusses the importance of customization in software, allowing individuals to personalize and tailor their digital tools to their specific needs and preferences.
Exploring folk practices and unconventional workflows
Omar discusses the concept of folk practices in computing, where users develop unconventional methods and workarounds to accomplish tasks. Examples include taking screenshots instead of saving web pages and using screenotate to create a personal visual archive. He advocates for embracing these practices and building tools that align with users' natural workflows and preferences.
Future projects: Web Fork and hardware control
Omar shares two projects he is interested in pursuing: Web Fork, a web browser with instant tab duplication and a more controlled browsing experience, and exploring hardware control to simplify interactions with devices such as cameras. He envisions a future where users have more control over their hardware, facilitating faster, tailored, and more reliable computing experiences.
Omar Rizwan is a researcher and developer interested in new computer interfaces and new ways of programming. He previously worked at Stripe, Khan Academy, and Dynamicland, where he worked on projects such as Geokit. He’s also a prolific creator of paradigm-challenging projects such as Screenotate, Horrifying PDF experiments, Hijack Your Feed, and many others.
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