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# The future of my desktop
- URL: https://www.chrismessina.me/blog/the-future-of-my-desktop/
- Published: 2006-07-17T16:33:43.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-25T03:36:41.000Z
- Author: Chris Messina
- Tags: design, Technology, Usability

[](http://www.flickr.com/photos/factoryjoe/192168859/?ref=chrismessina.me)So I have to follow up on my [post about the future of browsers](http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/07/13/browsers-the-future-thereof/?ref=chrismessina.me), but I'd be remiss if I didn't show off [one](http://honeybrown.ca/Pubs/BumpTop.html?ref=chrismessina.me) [incredible possibility](http://honeybrown.ca/Portfolio/pages/Slide2.html?ref=chrismessina.me), [pointed out](http://atariboy.com/2006/07/14/bumptop/?ref=chrismessina.me) by my buddy downunder, [Cris Pearson](http://atariboy.com/?ref=chrismessina.me) that got a boost at a [recent DemoCamp](http://barcamp.org/TorCampDemoCamp6?ref=chrismessina.me). Go [check out the video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0ODskdEPnQ&ref=chrismessina.me) to get a sense of what it's all about or download a hi-res version ([.MOV (117MB)](http://82.103.133.48/BumpTop2.mov?ref=chrismessina.me), [.WMV (98MB)](http://82.103.133.48/BumpTop2.wmv?ref=chrismessina.me)) to see it in high def.

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### 💬 Comments from the original post

**[M Gomez](http://www.mandolux.com/?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2006-07-18 08:49:15

The best desktop is the one you don't see. Why is it that the Contextual Menus \[CM\] (Pop-up/right click Menu) have not been expanded as much as possible? Solaris 7+ started the idea of puttings a lot of crap in the CM and it was beautiful (but limited). Nowdays, I use FinderPop (www.finderpop.com | Mac OS X/0S9) and I love the idea of putting every apps/folders/drives/scrips/etc that I need.

**[Lloyd D Budd](http://foolswisdom.com/~lloyd?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2006-07-18 11:11:37

Ever time I watch the video it seems novel... but it is without substance. My data is not icons on a desktop. If I can't feel the experiences then visual manipulation is without value.

**[The Waving Cat » Blog Archive » BumpTop: Experimental 3D desktop interface](http://www.thewavingcat.com/2006/07/18/bumptop-experimental-3d-desktop-interface/?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2006-07-18 13:54:36

\[...\] Most certainly one of the most innovative data visualization tool I’ve seen in a while. (via FactoryCity / Citizen Joe) \[...\]

**[Chris Messina](http://factorycity.net/?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2006-07-18 23:17:13

Lloyd -- part of the point is that you interact with the desktop with a pen -- the video is simply an interesting thing to watch -- but it's like watching a video game, the fun is in playing yourself! As for whether this would really improve my organizational skills, I don't know... but hell, at this point, I'd love to give just about anything a try!

**[Alex Hillman](http://www.dangerouslyawesome.com/?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2006-07-19 15:08:58

as cool as this is (and yes, it's really, really cool) since switching to mac i find myself using a file-manager less and less...it has become significantly less to meticulously folder things up thanks to search. of course, I'm still anal retentive to some point, and for that I'd love an interface like this but...some disconnect between practicality and cool exists. not really sure what it is.

**[Alex Hillman](http://www.dangerouslyawesome.com/?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2006-07-19 15:10:38

it has become significantly less to => it has become significantly less common for me to... i hate when my sentences dont make any sense :-)

**[Labnotes » Blog Archive » links for 2006-07-20](http://blog.labnotes.org/2006/07/19/links-for-2006-07-20/?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2006-07-20 06:55:57

\[...\] The future of my desktop at FactoryCity A UI metaphor of your work desk on your screen. But this one actually does useful things. I like it. \[...\]