Ideas for a browser

I was reading this page by Paul Graham, and it inspired me to think of an idea for the second of his "types of ideas". About how people interact with web browsers in particular, and the Web itself, in general.

When I open up my browser, it usually opens up a bunch of tabs, left-overs from my previous browsing session. At any given point in time, I find myself having to choose between a dozen tabs. But that's just me - I constantly consume news from the world of technology and science, not to mention sports. And of course, that foremost of all Internet applications, email. Your mileage will most probably vary.

The way people use browsers varies according to the individual. While I go about opening tabs using keyboard shortcuts (and customising them to my fingers' content), some may steadfastly stick to using their mice; still others will use mouse gestures. And then there are folks who may have just woken up since the time of Jack the Ripper - uh, I actually meant after competing with Rip van Winkle - who may be wondering what this thingummy called a browser is, or what it has got to do with a tab; in their time, people used the word 'tab' in phrases like 'pick up the tab'. What they may not know also is that most browsers are free these days, so there's no need to pick up any tab on account of browser software. Unless you are using a touch screen, in which case you may pick up a tab and move it somewhere. Anyway, the long and short of it all is that people are different, and that is reflected in the way they use software too. But then, you knew that already, right?

So, as I was saying (or going to say, if you've noticed my cheeky digression), one could think of a browser that behaves and appears differently depending on who's using it; dons different hats, so to speak (or incarnates in a different avatar, if you're into Indian mysticism and that sort of thing). If a power user uses it, the browser skins itself in a certain way, does exactly what the user asks of it, and then gets out of the way. When the grandparents of the said user use it, it turns itself into a hyper-user-friendly form, and guides them at every (mis)step, gently eases them into surfing the Net with lesser and lesser effort. When their children - parents of the original power user - use it, it adopts an neutral viewpoint and vacillates - like a woman who can't make up, among other things, her mind - between being a know-it-all and an ignoramus. In other words, it morphs itself yet again.

Would that not be a wonderful thing? Software that adapts its behaviour to a user's capability and / or knowledge levels. It would make the software appear to be intelligent, just like people appear to be intelligent these days - until you hear them talk, when such illusions are hastily shattered; some say it's only because sound travels slower than light that such illusions are caused in the first place. Well, it's not my place to comment on other people, being humble as you know me to be. What I will say, in conclusion, and in an assertive manner (not to be confused with pride) is that this is an idea worth pursuing, and if you're interested, I'd be happy to collaborate with you in this.