MEX Notes: BERG: turning receipts into ‘paper apps’

I love this idea. It's about time we revisited the objects that led to our computer/GUI metaphors in the first place!

I think "organic design" (that is, design that isn't limited to a set of functions, such as a hardware platform or even a single object) is a more logical step for the next hardware/software platform than the 2D/"planar" systems (screens, windowed GUIs, single machines) that we've worked with all these years. And, obviously, receipts are a "real-world" example of this organic design: they're being thought of as informational objects, in a designed system, but they're being interacted with and used in a physical way.

This is part of why I've always found it funny how excited everyone gets about NFC. Is using a credit card really so difficult? NFC is a system that is completely inorganic, because it depends on the user to "have the equipment", "do the things", "initiate the sequence". The "Buy Now With 1-Click" button, on the other hand, is a completely organic system... if only it wasn't stuck behind the obnoxious inflexibility of the screen.

Why? Because "1-Click" allows an entire system to churn into action-- packages, printing, assembly, warehousing, inventory, shipping, delivery--with as little possible shift from the area of current focus as possible. It's the ultimate Fitt's Law : the button that controls the universe is **right there**.

First time here. Great stuff so far. Love your site!

... But why no date on this post? I'd love to know when this is from/how old it is...

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DM Cook says:

19 June, 2011 at 6:57 am

I love this idea. It's about time we revisited the objects that led to our computer/GUI metaphors in the first place!

I think "organic design" (that is, design that isn't limited to a set of functions, such as a hardware platform or even a single object) is a more logical step for the next hardware/software platform than the 2D/"planar" systems (screens, windowed GUIs, single machines) that we've worked with all these years. And, obviously, receipts are a "real-world" example of this organic design: they're being thought of as informational objects, in a designed system, but they're being interacted with and used in a physical way.

This is part of why I've always found it funny how excited everyone gets about NFC. Is using a credit card really so difficult? NFC is a system that is completely inorganic, because it depends on the user to "have the equipment", "do the things", "initiate the sequence". The "Buy Now With 1-Click" button, on the other hand, is a completely organic system... if only it wasn't stuck behind the obnoxious inflexibility of the screen.

Why? Because "1-Click" allows an entire system to churn into action-- packages, printing, assembly, warehousing, inventory, shipping, delivery--with as little possible shift from the area of current focus as possible. It's the ultimate Fitt's Law : the button that controls the universe is **right there**.

First time here. Great stuff so far. Love your site!

... But why no date on this post? I'd love to know when this is from/how old it is...

MEX