Changes:

Visual Look:

  • Improved Resolution and Colors: In the past, computer screens lacked clarity and offered limited color options. Now, we have really clear screens with lots of bright colors. We can see high-quality pictures, videos, and cool graphics on our screens.
  • Simpler Design: The old GUIs used to appear quite busy, with 3D-like icons and an abundance of details. Now, the trend is to have a flatter and simpler design. It’s easier to look at and doesn’t distract us as much.

How We Interact:

  • Multiple Input Methods: Initially, we utilized a keyboard and mouse to operate the computer. Now, touch screens are everywhere, especially on mobile phones and some laptops. We can also use gestures like swiping, pinching, and rotating to do things on the screen. Additionally, using voice commands to communicate with the device is becoming increasingly popular.
  • Better at Doing Many Things at Once: The old computer systems could do a few things at the same time, but not very well. Now, modern GUIs let us easily switch between different apps, move and arrange windows in different ways (like making them fit on different parts of the screen), and even have multiple desktops for different kinds of work or fun.

Connecting and working with other stuff:

  • Today’s GUIs have a strong connection to the internet. Apps can get online info, keep our data the same on different devices, and give us real-time news. Cloud storage (where we can save our stuff online) and cloud computing are now a big part of how we use our computers. We can get to our files and apps from anywhere if we have an internet connection.
  • Working with Other Devices: Today’s GUIs are highly compatible with a wide variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and smart home gadgets. We can control and use all these different devices with one interface, which makes our digital world feel more together.

What’s Stayed the Same:

  • Desktop Idea: We still perceive our computer screen as a virtual desk, complete with folders, files, and icons, each symbolizing distinct functions. We can still organize our digital items similarly to how we would on a physical desk, such as organizing files into folders, moving and copying files, and initiating apps by clicking on their icons.
  • System Setup and Basic Layout: We organize our computer files in a hierarchical file system, set up menus and toolbars with slight variations, and maintain a largely unchanged basic window setup for running apps. This gives us a familiar feeling when we use different operating systems.

What Could Be Better?

  • Enhancing the usability of GUIs for individuals with disabilities has led to improvements, yet there is still room for improvement. Some people might have a difficult time using a mouse or touchscreen because of a problem with their body, or they might have trouble seeing or hearing. We need to make voice recognition work better, give people more ways to change the interface to fit their needs, and make sure all apps and websites are simple for everyone to use.
  • Letting Us Make It Our Own: We all like different things, but current GUIs don’t always let us change them enough to fit our own tastes. We need more ways to customize the interface, like putting icons and menus where we want them, choosing different colors or themes, and setting up our own shortcuts and gestures.
  • Keeping Our Stuff Safe and Private: As GUIs become more connected to the internet and other services, it’s critical to protect our data and maintain our privacy. We require enhanced security measures such as improved encryption, better authentication methods, and more transparent privacy policies. We should also have better data control and better visibility into usage.
  • Making it Smarter: As artificial intelligence and machine learning improve, there’s a chance to make GUIs smarter and more aware of what we’re doing. For example, the interface could change to fit our habits and likes, give us useful suggestions and shortcuts, and guess what we’re going to do next, which would make using it more fun and efficient.