I always laugh when I hear someone complaining about the WIMP model where their main argument is "it's been the same way for xx years, with no real innovation since its beginning". Right, and the steering wheel sucks so bad as a driving interface because it's so old and hasn't changed any.
A couple of years ago there were these 3D interfaces being designed, with the intention of replacing the WIMP dsktop 2D space, and I remember one guy saying how the biggest mistake in computer interfaces was done because somebody decided to attach a typewriter to a TV, meaning we only took what we had and used them as models for what to do (typewriter->keyboard; TV->monitor). Sorry, but no, the stuff worked, and it worked pretty well. It's like this not because it sucks, but because it's actually quite good.
I also always think about the simple light switch on every wall. Not to be replaced with sensors so soon, even though it always seems like it's close to being so.
Changing for change sake is bad, but questioning long-held assumptions can lead to highly desirable changes. I largely agree that what we have works, but I also like to see how it may change.
One example that's been big in my life is the transition from a mouse to a trackpad. The mouse worked in many cases, but it was a nuisance for laptops. In my case, they also caused excruciating repetitive stress related-tendinitis which, thankfully, a laptop trackpad doesn't.
Funny you mention simple light switches not being "replaced with sensors so soon". Years ago, the very first modification I made when I moved into my house was to replace many of the simple light switches with motion, light, and time-based sensors, and a few with dimmer switches.
I tried multiple mice, trained myself to use my non-dominant hand for mousing, tried trackballs, and even tried a separate trackpad in the place that a normal mouse or trackball would be place - all to no avail.
In addition to avoiding detached pointer devices, I try really hard to use keyboard commands when possible. As a related side-note: I'd love an application that would automatically show me any relevant keyboard shortcuts when I use my trackpad. For example, if I were to click-and-drag over this sentence, then a reminder that I could use shift-option-arrows to quickly select words would pop up.
Edit to add: human bodies have a wide range of differences, which accounts for why one category of device causes each of us problems while another doesn't, and yet the category that causes problems between us is inverse.
A couple of years ago there were these 3D interfaces being designed, with the intention of replacing the WIMP dsktop 2D space, and I remember one guy saying how the biggest mistake in computer interfaces was done because somebody decided to attach a typewriter to a TV, meaning we only took what we had and used them as models for what to do (typewriter->keyboard; TV->monitor). Sorry, but no, the stuff worked, and it worked pretty well. It's like this not because it sucks, but because it's actually quite good.
I also always think about the simple light switch on every wall. Not to be replaced with sensors so soon, even though it always seems like it's close to being so.