Although this domain is dearbillgates.com,
i use this page to list the ideas that come to me about all technical things.

Hardware, software, programming, etc......

Some ideas are aimed at Microsoft and some might be aimed towards Adobe, etc...

i originally thought that i would be putting generic technical ideas here,
hoping Bill would consider them for Windows or wherever the ideas belong.
i use so many brands and types of technical things
that this site has naturally evolved to all things technical.

Scroll below to read through my technical ideas.
The newest idea is always on top and the ideas get older as you scroll lower.


I also have other hobbies and ideas.
If you click the sun to the left, you can browse those.



X

(p.s. Bill, if you're reading this, please check out my site at philosophyofX.com.
i post ideas there that might be more relevant to your current tasks at hand)

 

 

 

 

Windows needs to handle windows in a new and smarter way.

When i have 3 windows open (not maximized) and drag the 3rd across the monitor(s),
Windows needs to recognize that and offer placement options.

So again, emagine we are dragging a window across the screen,

Then we get to the left side of the screen,
Windows needs to detect what space is available and highlight it as an optional docking spot
(resizing of the dragged window to the available space in the spot).

Or if i move it down and to the right,

Once i select the spot to place the window,
trigger the option by setting the dimensions of the window
and placing it in the selected spot.

To expand on this idea,

1) Give options for docking on available space, on other monitors.
2) Offer padding options.
3) Obviously, the outline could be color, transparency and thickness customizable.
4) Have a setting to only consider the first 3 windows (a number setting in options), according to the order in the taskbar.
5) How about setting the default location and size (X and Y (,Z if needed), W and H) for the opening location of a window.

Individual Folder Properties

Have a each folder's properties available on the folder, and have at least the options noted above.

 

2050X02NOV2011

 

 

 

 

 

Why is it no longer an option to use "list" view in the Control Panel?
It is much slower to read through the icons from left to right, like reading a written text.
Am i the only one that finds this more difficult to read?
It's not that i read each icon, but the first letter is a semi-conscious marker to get where i need to go quickly.

I like Windows overall, but if there was a serious competitor for a PC OS, i'd seriously consider the switch.
One day that OS will come out and Microsoft's 90% hold on the user base will diminish quickly.
Why isn't there another professionally produced PC OS?

I'd like an OS that i can customize as much as possible.
I don't like Microsoft making me use the OS the way they think is best. I might have a different opinion.
If Microsoft would just leave the older methods in Windows alongside the new, this wouldn't be a problem.
The OS would become quite flexible to meet all the types of user needs for an efficient work station.

1810X27SEP2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

The speed and stability of Comcast's internet connection is excellent.
Currently there is no slightly-even-remotely-close competitor.

Call them on the phone, it's a nightmare.
80 minutes, 7 different people.

i had 2 simple questions
(i'm an IT Tech by profession, i know what a simple technical question is).

One of the questions, the Comcast representative was confidently completely wrong.

How do they say that on them internets, WTF?

I'm not basing this off of one call either.
Out of the 15 or so times i've had to call,
if there was a change of service, they screwed it up every time.
Coincidently the error always resulted in more money per month for Comcast, hmmm?

The techs that come to the customers home to deal with equipment,
top notch. Always know their equipment. I've been impressed each time.

Comcast,

While you currently offer a product that no one else can offer (through RG6),
offer us quality customer service (through RJ11, the handheld type),
then your long term employee support plan and the CEO's paycheck too,
will be around for many years to come. This seems like business common sense.

If i had an alternative, i'd be dropping Comcast immediately.
One day there will be an alternative. When that day arrives,
i'm dropping Comcast and recommending to all my clients to do the same.

Hasn't someone at Comcast tried out their own phone system?

2028X14SEP2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bill,

If a corporation like Haliburtan or whoever can have a machine gun equiped force,
why can't another corporate billionare have a hired force
that will make sure food gets to the africans that need it?

Isn't there a billionare that will step up for the starving humans of Earth?

Some of you billionares make millions a month.

Imagine the potential difference in all of the starving people's lives on Earth,
if some billionare will commit to living off the billion they have,
and send the rest of that fat flow of money to a worthy cause?

How about a cause for people who don't own a house or a car, or a nice suit,
they just need something to eat to get them through the day?

2206X23JUL2011

 

 

 

 

When are the Chinese gonna come out with an Operating System?

They are so smart in so many angles, one day we will see
a Chinese OS that approaches the common user in smart and practical ways.

0034X23JUN2011

 

 

 

 

How about an option for Windows;

Always require permission for software installers
to add to the system Start Up Folder.

An option for the browser;

Always require permission for browser toolbar installers
to add themselves to the browser.

 

2011X17JUN2011

 

 

 

 

 

When i publish in Flash,
Dreamweaver should detect the updated file and be able to auto-upload that file.
It sure would speed up my work flow.
Now maybe Adobe has already implemented this in a newer version,
i'm using CS3.

While we're at it, upon a successful post,
have an option for Dreamweaver to pop IE with the page that has the updated SWF.

2249X10MAY2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've used the arm of a lazyboy chair for years as a mouse pad.
Although Logitech has created a special mouse for this purpose, it's not necessary. My current Logitech M505 works flawlessly in this way.
I wore out (3 years +) my previous Logitech V200 on a lazyboy chair.

An idea came to me while thinking of a mouse on a chair. It seems you might create a little static electricity using a mouse on a chair.
I wonder if you could devise a mouse that can use static power to extend battery life?
Could it also collect solar power from the lights in a room? Would this be a "green" mouse?
I really don't know if it would be enough power and i really don't want to do the research. This is just another oddball idea.

1303X21JAN2011

 

 

 

 

 

This idea is about ten years old, but i recently mentioned it to somebody and decided to post it here.

I imagine an instrument tuner built into the instrument itself.
This tuner would have mechanical control of the keys.
So when the tuner is on, lightly strum the guitar, the tuner hears the pitch and adjusts the keys accordingly.
This would save time and the musician wouldn't have to see anything. You could even have this tuner computerized,
so the musician could save tuning profiles and a library of alternate tunings. Imagine the interesting song arrangements
if you were to program the string/strings to adjust at particular moments in the song.
Imagine if the tuner could also note the age of the strings and guesstimate the wear and tear.

Another old idea,

Why not make a double highhat for a drum kit?

Drummers already do some nice 16/32nd note work on the highhat, imagine the sounds when those sticks are inbetween these cymbals.
With the right pedal control or another physical adjustment, you could set the highhat loose and the lowhat tight (or whatever combination).
You could even design a special split pedal to control the highhat and lowhat individually.

1402X01JAN2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was amazed to see in the news
that Microsoft was considering purchasing Adobe.
That would be a massive stronghold in the digital world.

If Google bought Adobe,
Microsoft and Apple might have a solid long term competitor.

I'm still amazed that Adobe hasn't developed an OS.

1739X10OCT2010

 

I emagine a website that you walk around just like in a 3d video game.
Interaction with what’s on the web would also be like a 3d video game.

This idea is really the beginning of a 3d Internet.

http://www.digitallyoverhelmed.3d       ?


When this is built,
include the ability to speak to the interface.

i see endless ideas for the use of a 3d internet.

2106X09OCT2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why not have the ability on the right-click of files, folders and apps,
to set the width, height, X, Y and maybe a Z position of the corresponding window that opens?

In other words,
have a default opening size and spot for things that open.

When it's opened and has been moved,
have a keyboard shortcut to send it back to it's default position and size.

2046X01OCT2010

 

 

 

 

In Windows we need the Acronis "Try & Decide" mode functionality built in.

Emagine if you compute in a sandbox area (like T&D).
You have some sort of button or keyboard shortcut to flip the sandbox on/off.

Even better, add another icon in the Control Panel for the sandbox and the settings and controls for it.
(this almost seems like something that could be integrated into the Firewall or System Restore).

When the system is rebooted it automatically reverts without saving the previous changes
and startes a fresh sandbox session (or a setting for this functionality).

When you install drivers, software, etc, you are always protected by the sandbox.
If the install goes well, apply them, if not, reboot.

Unlike T&D, i think it should be running all the time (built in).


Obviously, Acronis could simply add some sort of timer/auto boot functionality,
then my concept here would be doable (without having to integrate into Windows),
and Acronis would make a bunch more money (they'd get my $49.99 again).

2148X25SEP2010

 

 

 

How about a "Restore Directory" option
on right-click in Dreamweaver's Local Directory List?

So if i right-click and mouseover "Restore This Directory",
we get a submenu listing of dated and notated restore points,
for the selected directory.

2127X10SEP2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why not have a "table" tool in Photoshop? 

 

We could organize elements/text on a particular layer. 

 The table tool could have it's own tool window
with all the typical table settings.

 

1208X18MAY2010

 

 

 

 

 

When i'm buried into some HTML, PHP, ACTIONSCRIPT editor,
How about an option to custom color my code-notes (like a text editor)?
I don't mean to just change the default color of code-notes in the editor overall,
i want to edit sections of the code-notes with standard text editing options.

i'm the type of scripter/coder that doesn't write the base chunks of code,
but i do modify them.
Adding code-notes that stand out,
will allow me to more quickly disect and customize the code.

2212X09MAR2010

 

 

 

 

How about making the elements of the taskbar, widgets, like you did with the sidebar?
quick launch, start, date, time, system tray, open apps, and some custom toolbars.

If you did that, the desktop would be that much more customizable.
The IT guy could hide the system tray,
which most people don't have a clue what it is and sometimes never will.
Or show the quicklanch, but hide the start menu,
because that's the way they use a computer .

So in the end,
you are providing a more relevent visual workspace
to the end user, custom to their needs.
The computer really is for many types of end users.


We could have shortcuts for quick access
to the hidden elements for administrators.


i can see many more ideas with this concept.

2005X02DEC2009

 

 

 

 

 

How about on a right-click in Windows,
have a FTP option with a submenu of each FTP connection?

This right-click option should be available for files and folders.

Maybe somehow incorporate a click for "upload this file to remote location"
and a click for "open FTP directory" into a folder view.

This feature is obviously something pro web designers would use
and could even be extended to LAN and VPN applications.
For example "Send File to Another", have desktops in a LAN
that have shared access to each others desktops,

2257X30OCT2009

 

 

 

 

 

In Photoshop,

Wouldn't it be nice if there were a "Distribute Projects" option?
If all of the projects that you wanted to open were 50px by 50px,

then,

distribute the open or opening projects with a padding within the boundries of the workspace,
with the options of left, right and center justifications.

 

2127X03SEP2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How about having a keyboard shortcut in Windows (ctrl-alt-c)
to copy the selected file's or folder's name?

How about ctrl-alt-shift-c to copy with extension?

2028X30JUL2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

A RAM Tester

When is someone gonna create a special board that has slots for all the different types of RAM,
once plugged in, some lcd would display the health and details of the RAM?

Or

When is newegg gonna start stocking it?

2100X30APR2009

 

 

 

Give us options in Windows Media Player to adjust the buttons mounted in the GUI, like Outlook has.

Actually, if you gave us more options on what buttons are mounted throughout Windows and its applications,
IT techs like me could really customize the interface for individual users (i know how they click).

You build for the masses, i take what you build and configure it for the individuals (i'm an IT guy).

2132X14MAR2009

 

 

 

There should be some option in Outlook/options/mail setup/send and receive/edit at the accounts list
to switch it to a list view (like folder views in Windows).
Tiles cause a slower process for account adjustments when you have a bunch of accounts.
i currently have 15 or so.  Set up 15 and you'll see what i mean.
(it's the same in Outlook 2003 &2007)

1958X19FEB2009

 

 

 

 

How about a virtual boardroom?
Have meetings with another boardroom on the other side of the planet.
I constructed the idea in Photoshop,
the other boardroom is in the LCD on the wall.



Now maybe boardrooms are already doing this, 
i've never had a job that would have me in a meeting like this.

2244X15FEB2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emagine if Adobe created an OS.
All the Adobe technology intertwined as 1 OS.
That would overthrow Windows & Mac with 1 stone.

Adobe 1 (.0)

2031X11FEB2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stop rearranging my Start Menu everytime i do a Windows update,
atleast give me the option.

1413X24JAN2009

 

 

 

We need a application on iPhones, Blackberries, etc..   that blocks calls from numbers
that are not in our addressbook/contacts.

(maybe it's been done, i have never owned one)

2150X15JAN2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outlook needs a feature.
When i drag an email from the inbox or from anywhere,
and drop it in the Junk folder,
Outlook should automatically add it to the "Blocked Senders".
And likewise,
when we drag from Junk to anywhere else,
Outlook should mark it as allowed.

1800X14JAN2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's the lag in a iphone-like interface, on a digital multitrack audio recorder?

i see one big touchscreen.

or have i not shopped enough?

0048X06JAN2009

 

 

 

 

 

Would you add an option to the Windows file system
to "Disable double-click to rename".

Many people double-click on the text section of the file name (myself included)
which triggers a rename accidently.

Too many accidently trigger a rename when they really want to run the file.

2044X16DEC2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

How about dual cursors?

i'm ambidexterous and wonder what the potential usefullness of
having a mouse in both my left and right hands would be?

i know that the keyboard used in conjunction with the mouse has many options,
but what if you could drag from 2 directions?
What about wheel spinning on both mice in opposite directions?
Emagine having two seperate lassos at the same time.

i already mouse with both hands, but not at the same time. When i mouse left-handed
my mind automatically reverses the right-handed buttons.
If a dual-cursor OS existed, i'd like to restore typical left-click funtionality to the
index finger when mousing left-handed (for the left mouse on a dual-cursor system).

i see many ideas in dual-cusor

1715X07DEC2008