Invention Idea

CEO: Dominador
Company Name: TalkWhere
Invention: Signus

1) Problem: When someone calls you or you get a call from someone, you have to take your phone out of your pocket and hold it up to your ear. Sure, you can use those headphones with a microphone so you don't have to hold your phone while talking to someone but, after the call is done, it takes time to put away your headphones especially when they get tangled. Another problem is that you might drop your phone and it could break.

2) Solution: The solution is a device that you can wear around your wrist just like a watch so that you can't drop it. Also, just with the click of a button, you can answer a call from someone without having to take out anything or hold anything.

3) What does it do: The Signus is a device that goes on a persons wrist. With the simple press of a button a person can make a call or answer one. The Signus comes with a wireless earpiece with a microphone so that you can hear and talk to the person without having to lift anything up to your ear. a unique feature to the Signus is a holographic screen display. The screen is used to make video calls with people. You will be able to move the screen anywhere around you so it fits your preference and you will be able to video call on the go.

4) Who's in charge?
- Data: Terry
- Rule/Procedures: Alex
- User: Connor
- Software: Chris
- Hardware: Isaac

Human Computer Interface

1.     When were the first USER Interfaces developed?

The first user interfaces were developed between 1945-1968.

2.     Who developed them?

The first person to develop a User Interface was Doug Engelbart's. In the 1960s, he developed the on-line system (NLS). This system was driven by a mouse, and multiple windows could be opened for hypertext.

3.     What percentage of software development time is spent on user interfaces

Approximately 48% of the coding is used for the user interface and about 60% of development time is used just to make it.

4.     What makes a good interface?

A good interface is when it is easy to navigate, easy to use, and is eye catching.

5.     Copy an image from a Linux and MAC GUI. What are the main visual differences?

Linux GUI

Mac GUI

The main visual differences between the Linux and the Mac is how the applications are laid out on the desktop. On the Mac, the applications are all on the bottom of the screen and in a straight line while the Linux, the applications are all over the screen. In a way the Mac is more visually appealing because the icons for the applications are not covering the screensaver. The Linux application icons are covering some of the screensaver making it less appealing. 

6.     Try to find an image of and the date of Windows 3.1, Windows95, Windows98,
Windows Vista, Windows 7.

Windows 3.1
Release: April 6, 1992







Windows 95
Release: August 24, 1995

Windows 98
 Release: June 25, 1998

Windows Vista
Release: January 30, 2007

Windows 7
Release: October 22, 2009






7.     What seems to be getting better as the years go on?

As the years go on, the graphical design of UI is becoming more appealing to users. The way applications are put on screen and  the placement of tool-bars are some examples of some of the changes that happen.

8.     What are the main goals of good HCI?

The main goal of a good HCI is to help people interact with computers with as little confusion as possible so that the user can use the system with little to no problem.

9.     List 3 Universities that have courses in HCI.

- University of Waterloo
- University of California
- Stanford University

Quantum Computing Intro

Quantum computing has a lot of potential. Although what it does is a mystery to people. There are only a few "real" quantum computers that exist in the world and programming these to make it do something useful is difficult. There is a way to explore quantum computing. Google engineer have made a sandbox called the "Quantum Computing Playground". This program helps people experience and play around with quantum computing. Quantum computers are said to be faster than digital computing. Also, unlike computer languages such as C++ or Java, quantum language is different. Digital computers read binary language while quantum computers read a "quibit" language. I think that the idea of using quantum computing is a good one because of how many more processes you can be doing at one time.

What is the Cloud?

The cloud has nothing to do with the ones that we see in the sky. The Cloud is "a vast array of computers that are hooked together and are meant to operate as a single ecosystem". The cloud can be used as a way to store data, or applications and be able to access this remotely from anywhere you have access to a device that can connect to the internet. There are different types of clouds; private cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud and community cloud. However, be careful what you put up to the cloud because you don't know if the cloud provider is keeping all of that data safe. Sure there are benefits to Cloud storage but securing that info so that no one can touch it is another problem in itself.

Top 25 Worst Passwords of 2013

Business Insider posted the Top 25 Worst Passwords of 2013. The passwords that are listed are ones that someone could easily guess. People are tempted to use simple passwords like 12345678 because it is easy to remember however, these simple passwords put accounts that you create at risk for hackers to get into. According to the article, hackers would try these passwords first just to get any info. Try to make passwords that are not simple for people to get guess but, don't make one that is hard to remember. Don't be like me also, since I sometimes have the habit of using the same password for some accounts online.

If you don't want to have your personal info being taken away from you, make a good password that is unique and is easy for you to remember. No one likes their information stolen from them. For gamers out there, make sue you don't use the same password for every game you play because you might lose something that you've worked hard for in one of those games (happened to one of my game accounts but luckily, I changed all of the passwords on my other games).