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📝 The linguistics of computing and user interfaces
I was messing around a little bit with Plan9 when it occured to me. What's the absolute minimum interface required to use a computer without internet but with an artificial mind in there?
Maybe this is the way...
Imagine an OS where there's nothing but just a kernel, a compiler and a few other essential tools. Now imagine that instead of your normal terminal you have essentially a chat where you can send messages to an artificial mind who's living in this computer.
How would interacting with the computer look like?
you: Hello
os: Hi
you: show me cpu usage
os: Here you go
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C1 C2
you: whats this node instance for?
You get the idea. It wouldn't necessarily replace your shell. Think of this chat as a chat with an expert who knows exactly what's going on with the computer. Someone who's remotely controlling it, helping you do what you want.
you: open up a text editor
os: sure
you: setup a folder for a new C project
os: is there anything specific you need in it?
you: no, just a blank template is fine
os: ok
this would give you a new space where you can interact with the template etc.
Sometimes it's easier to get a specific type of interface that you're used to without relying on telling the computer to give you that.