This was my entry inti a contest held by the San Jose Mercury News in Dec 1985. I have theoriginal hand written copies...and thr print out from my PC Jr.
The Dream Machine My dream machine would consist of a workststion with a full color 19" flat panel display with a megapixel resolution. This panel could be tilted and moved to mamy positions., yet would telescope neatly away in to the desk when not in use. The processor unit, tucked away in desk drawer, would be no longer than a shoebox, but would have the power of a VAX 8600. It would be linked via fiber optic cable to a large external database that would contain software, periodicals, films,reference materials, books, educational and instructional videos, and other information for which there was a demand. Multiple windows would allow several teleconference sites to be displayed in real time, while applications programs, say a spreadsheet and database, were running in other windows. Input would bew by voice recognition, wireless mouse, or keyboard. The Dream Machine would be able to run 99% of all software ever written and would become an industry standard. Capable of displaying broadcast quality, real time video in as many as eight windows, the dream machine would be more picture and motion oriented than today's machines that tend to produce static displays of text and pixels. For example, an architect could view a conceptual drawing of a building in one window while incorporating changes to the blueprints in another window. These changes would be instantly incorporated in to the conceptual picture, showing how these changes affect the appearance of the building. The Dream Machine would be able to receive and record data at a very high speed on the removable 3.5 in laser disk. For instance, one could record a 30 second educational video in 30 seconds by using the fiber optic link and digital compression. Data transfers such as this could take place in "off peak" hours for viewing at a later time. A home version would have a 40" "hang on the wall" display and be networked to the office unit, but it would have access to cable TV and recreational software. Video tapes would become obsolete as all released films and television shows would be available through the database. Windowing capability would enable the user to monitor several sporting events while teleconferencing with a friend in one of the other available windows. A machine such as this should satisfy almost everyone's need for data processing, information retrieval, communications, and home entertainment.
Mark Maupin December 31, 1985