Creative energy can be burned out trying to implement a neat, new idea. Progress can be hindered by an interface or constraints imposed by a machine - this is the dilemma computer programmers face daily. But, to be fair - that is their job. Other, more mundane tasks, such as using a calculator also impose extraordinary impositions on “non-technical” people. Considering how long the calculator has been around - compared to the “home computer” - it is pretty amazing that the interface has not really progressed all that much. Students learn how to do mathematics on paper one way - then have to learn how to solve the exact same problems in a different way on calculators.

It looks like Will Thimbleby and his father Harold have been working hard to come up with creative solutions to this mismatch of human interfaces. Pen and paper interface has one way of doing things - calculators require a context switch. Several papers - including A novel pen-based calculator and its evaluation - have led to a working prototype. Try out the Java applet - the instructions say “Write mathematics as you would on paper” - and it works - very cool!

Really put it through its paces - try all kinds of stuff. Granted, working with a mouse to write numbers is a pain, so imagine using this interface with a graphics pad or an interactive white board. Now, think about this as an interface to a trading system testing framework. Or as an interface to a spreadsheet. A lot of interesting possibilities!