01-30-2005, 08:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Looking Back on Pocket PC History
I was going through some old files while transferring files to a new computer (be sure to check out Digital Media Thoughts for my continuing exploits!) and I came across this screen shot of the original Pocket PC operating system, released in early 2000:
One one hand, the UI has become more refined, but I'm amazed at the effective simplicity of the design. I'm not sure who designed the UI, but it was a stroke of genius to show people the things they want to know when they turn on their device rather than a bunch of program icons. I wonder what the user interface on the Pocket PC will look like a few years from now? I'm hoping for a more optimized VGA experience with all aspects of the UI being a bit smaller, not just the text.
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01-30-2005, 08:04 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 797
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As with anything, the true test of a design's effectiveness is the ability to maintain its use (with only small adjustments) through time.
Palm went with a program-centric user interface, and then programmers came up with similar "today screen" type applications. It's a great idea, and it was one of a kind when it was created. Now it's immitated.
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01-30-2005, 08:42 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 307
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Actually, I think there's a good case for some of the lessons learned with the Pocket PC being reflected in the desktop OS in future (don't laugh, I'm serious).
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01-30-2005, 10:02 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,305
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That's a good point. Other than starting Outlook there really isn't a built in way to display this stuff on the desktop in windows.
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01-30-2005, 10:08 PM
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5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,616
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I use Rainlendar for that.
__________________
iPhone 4! ☠☠☠ Mid-2010 15" MacBook Pro! ☠☠☠ Gateway LT2102h! ☠☠☠ Dell XPS M1210!
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01-30-2005, 10:38 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 18
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Well, almost the original OS. It actually looks like Wisbar running there, along with an updated background image for the today screen.
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01-30-2005, 11:41 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 22
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Yeah, and surely the windows flag was the pre-xp one with the flappy tail?
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01-31-2005, 01:17 AM
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Theorist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 279
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Not quite as pretty, is it?
__________________
iPAQ h3635 => Jornada 548 => Jornada 720 => Jornada 568 => iPAQ h1935 => iPAQ h1940 => Axim x50v
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01-31-2005, 01:18 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 451
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by kyrkesmith
Yeah, and surely the windows flag was the pre-xp one with the flappy tail?
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Yea, and the whole bar is in a darker blue as well! And the Today bar certainly wasn't this fancy.
Edit: Screenshot got posted in between my post, but that's the one! Ah, what a familiar screen..
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01-31-2005, 01:32 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 797
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You know what though? For all the nitpicking on minor details, the screen as a whole really hasn't changed much. Give MS credit for knowing what they had and sticking to it for the most part.
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Linear Mode
