That changed recently as I began to understand the rise of web applications and decentralization. Software is now run on servers, and their interface shown to you through your selected browser. Cross-platform is less and less a problem, though it now lies with cross-browser. Your photos, files, and data are on the cloud. The time when the only thing you need is a browser is quickly coming.
I want to get rid of my huge computer. I also have a handy laptop, and if possible, I'd like to get rid of it too. I want to clean the living room, and be able to look around and not feel visually attacked by all the things around me!
A part of my job is to design web sites, and I've become more and more interested in minimalism, or at least in a way to show the data in the most simple way. User experience is very important, and rely in small part on removing the useless visual clutters. Why not do the same in my living room? I look around... The kitchen is not bad - a couple fruits slowly ripening on the counter, and some small appliances in a corner next to the window. The living room is something else. Clockwise: a bookcase with some books, movies, and random stuff, followed by a huge thousand-dollar desk, a seldom-used PS3, a 32" LCD TV, a 21" LCD monitor, and a laser printer. Under the desk, partially hidden by an expensive wheeled chair, lies the beast, casting a blue glow on a huge powerbar and a web of wires and cords.
What if I sell the monitor, give the computer and printer to someone, sell the bookcase, build a smaller one, sell the huge desk, hang the TV on the wall, and build a minimalist place to store the PS3 and the few movies? I could even get rid of the PS3 and buy a blu-ray reader. How would that look?
I stopped video-editing a couple years ago, but I am still using my computer to draw and to program, with the occasional movie. I think everything else I do these days is through the internet. I guess I could do that with my laptop, but I feel the wind of change is stronger than that. I want to change everything. I want my home experience (related to computers) to be limited to a tablet (Apple or Samsung - I haven't made my choice yet).
After some searching, I learned that it is possible to use a Wacom tablet on the web, which means it is possible to draw without the need for an installed application. I first tried the deviantART Muro web app, made a drawing, and then found out they don't have a crop tool. The drawing was ok, though, once I got used to it (about 5 minutes). There is also Autodesk's Sketchbook, a 50$ windows application, which can be had as an iPad app for 5$. Didn't try it yet, but it looks promising, if you combine it with a Wacom pen for the iPad. I'll have to test these.
Second is the programming. It seems Cloud9 has good reviews. You can set it to work on a GitHub account pretty easily. At work, I program with Visual Studio, and I guess I could use the opportunity to finally learn the simpler and more attractive Python / Django at home. Didn't do much research on that, but programming on the web sure seems easier said than done. Maybe I could completely stop programming at home? Or maybe stay an hour or two after work to continue my personal projects? I could then spend my free time to read, or take a walk...
For the movies, there is of course streaming web sites like Netflix. Also, the movies you buy can be bought as downloads (iTunes). I'll have to check if I can output a movie from the iPad to the tv...
I'll wait for the iPad 3 and the next Samsung tablet, and compare the two. Then I'll make a decision about my living room.
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