So, it's 1968 (yes, nineteen sixty-eight) and computers are literally huge mainframes that just do maths.

 

Suddenly this guy pops up out of nowhere and introduces collaborative word processing via live teleconferencing feed while dragging a cursor around on his screen with a mouse.

 

 

 

But how many years until this was usable by individuals?

The first real desktop environment that was available to "the masses" would probably have been GEM in 1985.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GEM_(desktop_environment)

 

So about 17 years.

 

EDIT A more comprehensive history 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_graphical_user_interface#

I remember people talked about that more than 30 years ago.

But as far as I remember most people didn't see lots of advantages from video calls to voice only calls.

 

In my personal experience, most of the time I call people "voice only". And most call me like that.

My gf likes to use video calls. It's ok, when I am at home. But if I am outside and it's loud then I tell her let's switch to voice call with the ear on the phone for better communication.

 

IMHO video is overrated. 

10 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

IMHO video is overrated. 

 

Indeed, I tend to avoid video conferences too.

 

But the presentation is so much more than just the video interaction bit. It's the whole concept of WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointer) interface and online document sharing and editing (think Google docs).

Just now, Crossy said:

Indeed, I tend to avoid video conferences too.

 

But the presentation is so much more than just the video interaction bit. It's the whole concept of WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointer) interface and online document sharing and editing (think Google docs).

 

I don't remember if it was Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos, as far as I remember one of them does not allow power point or similar in meetings.

 

If you don't want to watch the presentation (it's definitely a bit dry), here's a good article discussing the major points.

 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/douglas-engelbart-invented-future-180967498/