In a world that divides us, technology creates connection. Cell phones, e-mail, digital cameras, personal Web sites they all join us, however tenuously, to what we value. Is connectivity what we re willing to pay for? Should technology be our servant or a tool that helps us do other things? What can we really learn from Napster? What would intelligent standards for touch-screen user interface look like? How does technology evolve, and what drives that evolution? For Dan Bricklin, technology cannot exist independently of the lives and needs of those who use it. For more than a decade he has shared his thoughts on this essential interdependence in blogs, podcasts, and essays. This volume compiles those observations, putting together case histories and new reflections for a fascinating study of how people and technology affect one another. Whether you re a software developer or a student of human nature, you ll find yourself drawn into this most intriguing discourse because you are its subject.

In a world that divides us, technology creates connection. Cellphones, e-mail, digital cameras, personal Web sites--they alljoin us, however tenuously, to what we value. Is connectivity whatwe're willing to pay for? Should technology be our servant ora tool that helps us do other things? What can we really learn fromNapster? What would intelligent standards for touch-screen userinterface look like? How does technology evolve, and what drivesthat evolution?For Dan Bricklin, technology cannot exist independently of thelives and needs of those who use it. For more than a decade he hasshared his thoughts on this essential interdependence in blogspodcasts, and essays. This volume compiles those observationsputting together case histories and new reflections for afascinating study of how people and technology affect one another.Whether you're a software developer or a student of humannature, you'll find yourself drawn into this most intriguingdiscourse--because you are its subject.

1. Introduction: Case Studies and Details.2. What Will People Pay For?3. The Recording Industry and Copying.4. Leveraging the Crowd.5. Cooperation.6. Blogging and Podcasting: Observations through TheirDevelopment.7. Tools: My Philosophy about What We Should Be Developing.8. Hands On: Tablet and Gestural Computing.9. The Long Term.10. The PC: Historical Information about an Important Tool.11. The Wiki: An Interview with Its Inventor.12. VisiCalc.Epilogue.