It’s probably best to explore this technology through some specific real-world applications. Fractal:Edge has a couple of products which are especially relevant here.

The first is Fractal PC, which is an alternative file manager for your PC. All the major functionality of Explorer is preserved but the difference is that it uses a fractal map instead of windows. Once you get used to it this has major speed advantages. Just as a raw estimate Gervase suggests that it can save an intensive user of computers about 15 – 30 minutes per day. That may not seem much but represents a considerable increase in efficiency in a large organisation. This product is available right now from their website as a free download.

The second real-world product is a financial market map. For this they combine the basic fractal technology with colouring systems that highlight key business variables to users. As Gervase points out this is useful in many applications, not just financial analysis. Any form of asset management, or monitoring of complex information systems, could benefit from this technology. “We’re concentrating on financial asset management as a first direct business usage. But the general principles are the same. Your asset manager, whether they are dealing with financial, intellectual or physical assets, can see the whole performance picture and get down to the vital details in the same information space”.

It might seem that this is something complex and not related to everyday people using everyday computers, but I have a feeling that people thought that about GUI’s before they started using them. There’s a natural human tendency to inertia in the face of an original idea.

I can’t claim that everyone loves them. But a lot of people, including myself, have enjoyed and benefited from using Fractal:Edge tools. People seem to understand the principles and pick up the new idea very quickly and with minimal instructions. Compared to a lot of computer technology that’s quite encouraging. So, give it a go, try it on your PC and make your own conclusions.

I’ll leave the final words to Gervase, he makes a serious point very simply. “The user interface is the key connector between the carbon and the silicon parts of your total computer system, it’ s very, very important, but has not been properly updated for 25 years. So over time we expect to be able to benefit everyone with this technology – in the end itﾕs the difference between walking and a jet engine.”

I felt it was inappropriate for Gervase to comment directly on the strengths and weaknesses of other systems he competes with. This article is about the concept of ZUI’s and not an evaluation of competing products. I’d like to offer you a few urls so you can explore this topic and form your own opinions of each system.

So, if you’re interested in learning more about the ZUI idea in general before learning about the system proposed by Fractal Edge. Please note, I’ve not included Windows/Mac OS are any other standard desktop models as I think you’re all familiar with those already.

Please note that Fractal:Edge technologies have been first developed for the PC environment. There is limited Mac functionality through a Java implementation on their website. Native Mac code is being worked on now and should be released in the near future.

Fractal:Edge Limited
Address: 7-10 Adam Street, London WC2N 6AA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7520 9325
contact@fractaledge.com
https://www.fractaledge.com