And today I realized that despite it being an extremely common activity, we don’t really have a word for “using the computer” which is distinct from “computing”. It’s funny because AI models are always “using a computer” but now they can “use your computer.”
The word is interfacing generally (or programming for some) but it's just not commonly used for general users. I’d say this is probably because the activity of focus for general users is in use of the applications, not the computer itself despite being instanced with a computer. Thus a computer is commonly less the user’s object of activity, and more commonly the setting for activity.
Similarly using our homes are an extremely common ‘activity’, yet the object-activities that get special words commonly used are the ones with specific user application.
Computering
With all the buzz around "agent" I'm surprised they didn't brand it "Computer Agent"
In English at least. In other languages there are.
what is the impact to desktop programs ui if it's just being manipulated by AI?
Operating a computer?
Right. We don’t have a word for that. Like “using a bicycle” has the word “bicycling”.
Tho someone here suggested “computering” which is pretty good.
I’ve been saying computering since the 90s but it never took off. Need to get a petition for OED going.