Wagner to VR Reading #2

 One thing that stuck out to me from Nelson's chapter of the reading, especially considering how we use computers today, is his mention of branching. He states that branching is all the different functions and options a specific machine (computer) or program can provide within a specific subject, using text and music as examples. I think this has assisted in how I do my work digitally through programs like Google and Adobe, where they each have different functions that are all still related within the program. For example, concerning text, Google has Docs, Slides, Forms, and Sheets to keep people text related documents together. For images and videos, Adobe has all the different programs within their suite, like Premiere Rush, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom, so people can edit, create, and modify pictures and videos under one app. 

In Goldberg and Kay's piece, I was very surprised at how well they predicted the systems of today, starting with their vision for the Dynabook and its physical structure, using the monitor, and type-keyboard, and a mouse to navigate on the screen. They also described basically every program and tool I have used throughout both my college career and my life on technology. The text outlines documents, different fonts, and how the machine files things; it states how it can be used for editing text, pictures, and video, as well as being able to digitally draw and paint on a system that is personalized for each owner. I think this is super interesting because that is pretty much what my laptop is (personalized for me) and those are the exact things I do on my machine. I am constantly sending messages and editing text on Word and Docs, I am watching videos through different websites, and also editing videos through IMovie and Premiere Rush. For pictures, I can view all of my personal images, as well as edit and create new ones through programs like Photoshop, Lightroom, and Illustrator, and I can paint/draw on these images in these programs as well. All these functions have allowed me to work digitally with ease, and the Internet coupled with these programs has given me even more range and capabilities to expand my horizons and open my work to areas I wouldn't have thought to explore.