Leonardo's Laptop
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"A very useful book..." Peta Jellis First Monday Reviews "It's easy...to get caught up in the author's techno-Utopian vision of a world hotwired to serve its populace." Elizabeth Millard ComputerUser.com "[Schneiderman is blessed with an engaging writing style and the ability to make this material interesting and lively." Jessie Thorpe Modbee.com "This book communicates a kaleidoscopic vision of how technology can be used to empower people in multiple areas of life." Parshu Anantharam The Rational Edge "This book is an inspiration, a must read." Professor Gavriel Salvendy International Journal of Human Computer Interaction "This book will change the way you think about web design." WebReference "This is an eloquently written and visionary book." Pashu Anantharam The Rational Edge "Who should read (Leonardo's Laptop)? Everyone who cares about mankind, technology, and the future." Gerd Waloszek SAP Design Guild "A very useful book..." Peta Jellis First Monday Reviews "It's easy... to get caught up in the author's techno-Utopian vision of a world hotwired to serve its populace." Elizabeth Millard ComputerUser.com "[Schneiderman] is blessed with an engaging writing style and the ability to make this material interesting and lively." Jessie Thorpe Modbee.com "This book communicates a kaleidoscopic vision of how technology can be used to empower people... interesting and exciting." Parshu Anantharam The Rational Edge "... This book is an inspiration, a must read." Gavriel Salvendy International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction "This is an eloquently written and visionary book." Pashu Anantharam The Rational Edge "Who should read [Leonardo's Laptop]? Everyone who cares about mankind, technology, and the future." Gerd Waloszek SAP Deisgn Guild
Product Description
Ben Shneiderman's book dramatically raises computer users' expectations of what they should get from technology. He opens their eyes to new possibilities and invites them to think freshly about future technology. He challenges developers to build products that better support human needs and that are usable at any bandwidth. Shneiderman proposes Leonardo da Vinci as an inspirational muse for the "new computing." He wonders how Leonardo would use a laptop and what applications he would create.Shneiderman shifts the focus from what computers can do to what users can do. A key transformation is to what he calls "universal usability," enabling participation by young and old, novice and expert, able and disabled. This transformation would empower those yearning for literacy or coping with their limitations. Shneiderman proposes new computing applications in education, medicine, business, and government. He envisions a World Wide Med that delivers secure patient histories in local languages at any emergency room and thriving million-person communities for e-commerce and e-government. Raising larger questions about human relationships and society, he explores the computer's potential to support creativity, consensus-seeking, and conflict resolution. Each chapter ends with a Skeptic's Corner that challenges assumptions about trust, privacy, and digital divides.
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First Sentence
The old computing was about what computers could do; the new computing is about what users can do. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The old computing was about what computers could do; the new computing is about what users can do. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The sub-title of this book is "human needs and the new computing technologies" and the author Ben Schneiderman, a well known figure in the human-computer interaction (HCI) field, tries to "raises computer users' expectations of what they should get from technology". The overall premise is clear; computing is no longer an issue of hardware designed for the specialist but one of a tool that should be designed to support human needs and help them do things. The author uses the image of Leonardo da Vinci as a way to stress the need to inspire new and more imaginative uses of computers and "laptops".
I am not sure how to review this book. I am conscious of the fact that from many, many readers this book will open their eyes to a new world where the hardware will disappear and what will emerge is a new generation of user-friendly or "universally usable" applications in education, medicine, commerce, and social networking. It is vitally important that this message is promoted and listened too by those working in the computer industry. Schneiderman is absolutely right to promote a transformation that must enable the participation by young and old, novice and experts, able and disabled. The book is well written, easy to read, and I like the Skeptic's Corner at the end of each chapter that challenges what is written. Purely in the context of what is written I would have liked to have seen a much more aggressive analysis of the past failures of the HCI community to influence computer develops (I am not convinced that the HCI community has the right to, or is equipped to, give us a lesson on the way society should high-jack a technology for its own purposes: their track record is abysmal). Also I had the impression that the author was speaking from a kind of ivory tower, and that the proposals had a flavour of doing good for the world's less fortunate individuals. I may have misinterpreted things, but I would have liked a much stronger statement concerning the need to liberate the creative potential of everyone and not just those that know how to use a computer. And I would have liked to see a more compelling argument as to why creative people should see the computer as an artistic medium. More generally I would even question the link created between Leonardo and computing; it makes a nice title but I'm not convinced a modern Leonardo would be working in this field (I certainly can't see him working for Microsoft or Apple).
Most of the concepts and visions expressed in the book are just extensions of existing ideas and emerging practices. This is not really a criticism but more a statement of the objective of the book. As such it is an introduction, tends sometimes to be over superficial, and oversells the role of the computer (and technology) in society. It is a vision statement, not a roadmap.
Other weaknesses in the book include an overly Anglo-US perspective, a rather superficial treatment of the issues surrounding assisted and independent living for the aged (where computing technology could make an incredible contribution in the coming years), and a too narrow focus on the definition of a computer as an IT tool (I would have liked to see more on the future role of robotics and embedded cognition).
I may have been overly critical of the book, but it has the merit to exist. The author's aims are laudable and I have no idea how to write the perfect book on the subject. His call for a radical change in the way industry and people build, use and "see" computers is well intentioned, and, in my opinion, an absolute necessity if we are to empower everyone (and not just a select few). Lets hope this book helps do that, and also helps inspire other to write even better books on the topic.
I am not sure how to review this book. I am conscious of the fact that from many, many readers this book will open their eyes to a new world where the hardware will disappear and what will emerge is a new generation of user-friendly or "universally usable" applications in education, medicine, commerce, and social networking. It is vitally important that this message is promoted and listened too by those working in the computer industry. Schneiderman is absolutely right to promote a transformation that must enable the participation by young and old, novice and experts, able and disabled. The book is well written, easy to read, and I like the Skeptic's Corner at the end of each chapter that challenges what is written. Purely in the context of what is written I would have liked to have seen a much more aggressive analysis of the past failures of the HCI community to influence computer develops (I am not convinced that the HCI community has the right to, or is equipped to, give us a lesson on the way society should high-jack a technology for its own purposes: their track record is abysmal). Also I had the impression that the author was speaking from a kind of ivory tower, and that the proposals had a flavour of doing good for the world's less fortunate individuals. I may have misinterpreted things, but I would have liked a much stronger statement concerning the need to liberate the creative potential of everyone and not just those that know how to use a computer. And I would have liked to see a more compelling argument as to why creative people should see the computer as an artistic medium. More generally I would even question the link created between Leonardo and computing; it makes a nice title but I'm not convinced a modern Leonardo would be working in this field (I certainly can't see him working for Microsoft or Apple).
Most of the concepts and visions expressed in the book are just extensions of existing ideas and emerging practices. This is not really a criticism but more a statement of the objective of the book. As such it is an introduction, tends sometimes to be over superficial, and oversells the role of the computer (and technology) in society. It is a vision statement, not a roadmap.
Other weaknesses in the book include an overly Anglo-US perspective, a rather superficial treatment of the issues surrounding assisted and independent living for the aged (where computing technology could make an incredible contribution in the coming years), and a too narrow focus on the definition of a computer as an IT tool (I would have liked to see more on the future role of robotics and embedded cognition).
I may have been overly critical of the book, but it has the merit to exist. The author's aims are laudable and I have no idea how to write the perfect book on the subject. His call for a radical change in the way industry and people build, use and "see" computers is well intentioned, and, in my opinion, an absolute necessity if we are to empower everyone (and not just a select few). Lets hope this book helps do that, and also helps inspire other to write even better books on the topic.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
At last a book which takes cognisance of the end user. Schneiderman has crafted his book in the style of the master Leonardo - I can only hope that like Leonardo his ideas and proposals receive the same recognition and, more importantly, implementation. It is in addition one of the easiest books to read that has ever written on such a complex subject - However this in no way detracts from the overall content. A MUST for manufacturers, and software authors across the continuum
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
15 reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Leonardo's Laptop A Unique Resource
4 Feb 2003
Format:Hardcover
It is a sad fact that with the exception of deep academic and professional texts aimed at corporate programmers and computer science researchers, most books on computing have frighteningly short useful lifetimes. All too many of them are little more than glorified how-to guides in the use of specific versions of rapidly evolving commercial packages and ever changing industry standards. A few attempt to cover application areas in more generality, but very few indeed strike at the core of the really big picture while offering substantial value to both computing experts and End Users alike.
Ben Shneiderman's tour-de-force, Leonardo's Laptop, is just such a rare gem. It accomplishes the hat trick of meeting the needs of readers in academia, industry, and the general public by going beyond talk of the "in technologies" of the moment to conceptualizing a New Computing organized around the principle of putting human needs first.
It reminds us that while we may have become accustomed to buggy and brittle software, such bad designs - which cost both lives and dollars - impoverish the human spirit and need not be tolerated. By drawing on our scientific and artistic sides we can restore the balance to make technology use an ennobling experience.
Although the text is addressed to everyday computer users and decision makers whose purchasing patterns ultimately determine what the IT sector will produce, it offers a rich set of endnotes that will guide technically oriented readers to the resources they need to implement its vision. Moreover, researchers and business people will find Leonardo's Laptop to be an invaluable source of ideas for grant writing and business plan development.
This book is a must have that will lead to new insights with each reading.
If you are a High School Teacher or University Faculty Member whose students are looking at the role of computers in society or who aspire to creating the next generation of high tech, you owe it to them to evaluate Leonardo's Laptop for use as a required or recommended reading in your courses!
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Leonardo's Laptop by Ben Shneiderman
30 Nov 2002
Format:Hardcover
Ben Shneiderman's "Leonardo's Laptop" should be as inspirational to readers in the 21st century as Leonardo daVinci was in the l5th and l6th. Renaissance man possessed "virtu"-the spirit of the times reflected by freedom to choose, invent and create. Shneiderman exemplifies this same attribute today, probably termed "existential". One does not remain static but, freely innovative with all tools available. While Leonardo pioneered the arts and sciences which eventually enlightened society, Shneiderman suggests what the user can do with the computer as an application of modern day social science .
This book offers a model, the same process of Leonardo's thought - COLLECT, RELATE, CREATE, DONATE. (CRCD) Clearly, this process has unlimited applications and Shneiderman highlights education, commerce, medicine and of course government, itself, sa varied spectrum of political ramifications. Most computer users master the technical side. Shneiderman reminds us that if we just stop for a moment, in the imaginative Renaissance spirit of "virtue" or his modern model CRCD, this technical tool can benefit various aspects of social living. Leonardo did not have this opportunity yet,because he well understood the human condition, we still positively enjoy his legacy. Shneiderman's model serves this same inspiration in today's world. Since the computer is here to stay, let's use it well!
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
repetitive, but somehow doesn't say anything
21 Jun 2005
Format:Paperback
Schneiderman's "Leonardo's Laptop" is singularly disappointing. Promising to raise our expectation of what we should get from technology, he instead uses a forced extended metaphor in the form of Leonardo da Vinci. What would Leonardo do?, we are repeatedly asked. Schneiderman attempts to answer the question. Sadly, his answers are neither new nor groundbreaking. I cannot believe that Leonardo would simply recount solutions that are already available and attempt to make such solutions sound visionary and forward-thinking.
The chapters in the book discuss the issues with usability today, activites and relationships, and attempt to discuss future directions in several fields: government, healthcare, business, and education. In these chapters, Schneiderman uses feel-good buzzwords like 'empowering' and 'enabling', but never moves beyond the feel-good buzzwords to suggest real solutions. In most cases, he suggests solutions that are already implemented; in others, he simply waves his hands at the problem and says that there has to be a solution.
Each chapter concludes with a skeptic's corner. This section could easily be re-labelled the strawman's corner. In that section, he constructs arguments that skeptics might use, but he must assume that skeptics are uniformly moronic. The so-called skeptical arguments are drawn with exceptionally rough strokes, which he dispenses of with little regard to very real concerns that can and should be discussed.
I had high hopes for this book. I wanted something that pushed the boundaries. I wanted something visionary. Instead, I got a repetitive book that somehow didn't say anything. I can only hope that future works give us something better than this.
The chapters in the book discuss the issues with usability today, activites and relationships, and attempt to discuss future directions in several fields: government, healthcare, business, and education. In these chapters, Schneiderman uses feel-good buzzwords like 'empowering' and 'enabling', but never moves beyond the feel-good buzzwords to suggest real solutions. In most cases, he suggests solutions that are already implemented; in others, he simply waves his hands at the problem and says that there has to be a solution.
Each chapter concludes with a skeptic's corner. This section could easily be re-labelled the strawman's corner. In that section, he constructs arguments that skeptics might use, but he must assume that skeptics are uniformly moronic. The so-called skeptical arguments are drawn with exceptionally rough strokes, which he dispenses of with little regard to very real concerns that can and should be discussed.
I had high hopes for this book. I wanted something that pushed the boundaries. I wanted something visionary. Instead, I got a repetitive book that somehow didn't say anything. I can only hope that future works give us something better than this.
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