Introducing OpenWorkspace®

The Information Processing Model suggests that as we go about our day, we momentarily process stimuli—deciding whether to discard them or give them attention.

On the desktop, this plays out when we see a calendar event or hear a reminder. Within seconds, we either dismiss it or transfer it to working memory for further action. If the call requires no preparation, the reminder is ignored until it resurfaces. If preparation is needed, working memory constructs a mental model—perhaps visualizing the attendee’s LinkedIn profile to recall relevant details.

In working memory, the user actively builds this mental model by retrieving related information from long-term memory, refining it until a complete picture emerges. This process continues until the desktop reflects the task at hand—mentally and literally.

Once the call is complete, working memory encodes the updated mental model for future retrieval. Only then can it be discarded, freeing up cognitive resources for the next task.

Designed as a personal knowledge system, it aimed to mimic human memory, allowing users to store, retrieve, and navigate information through associative links—a precursor to modern hashtags and hyperlinking.

Upon receiving input (e.g., “bow & arrow”), the Memex would surface related information across multiple displays, providing a holistic view of a topic. Users could then navigate, edit, and expand these collections using mechanical controls. Once refined, the collection—or “trail of information,” as Bush called it—could be saved and shared via microfilm, allowing seamless knowledge transfer between users.

While the Memex never became reality, it profoundly influenced personal computing, shaping file systems, processors, storage, and displays. However, its original goal—augmenting human information management—remains largely unfulfilled.

The Unmet Potential of Desktop Operating Systems

Despite technological advances, modern operating systems fail to replicate Bush’s associative approach to information management. Instead, they impose constraints that increase cognitive load and manual effort:

• Hierarchical File Systems – Information is rigidly stored in folders within directories, rather than through associative links. This fragmented structure forces users to constantly switch between windows, tabs, and applications, disrupting workflow continuity.
• Isolated Search Mechanisms – Search tools retrieve single resources (files, apps, or tabs) one at a time, requiring users to manually assemble relevant materials—unlike the Memex, which surfaced contextual collections automatically.
• Limited Associative Linking – While hyperlinks exist within documents and web pages, the operating system itself lacks native cross-referencing capabilities. Users must manually string together related information across apps using tab groups and side-navigation, rather than effortlessly building interconnected “trails” of knowledge as Bush envisioned.

The Challenge Ahead

Modern computing excels at storing and retrieving information, but it still lacks intelligent organization and contextual recall—forcing users to manually reconstruct their digital workspace over and over. The Memex’s vision of seamless, associative information management remains unrealized, leaving today’s knowledge workers burdened by fragmented, application-centric workflows.