The Total Access System separates the needs of a user from the applications that are being used. Organizing access tasks in this way leads to great versatility since any combination of single or multiple accessors can be connected to any combination of single or multiple TAPs. The organization of the Total Access System is paralleled by two other current developments. The block diagrams of the Total Access System and the JAVA programming environment are virtually identical. TAS brings the same advantages to the human interface that JAVA brings to software design, it provides modularity.
Designers can create each essential function once and then use it wherever it is needed.
The second parallel development is that the relationship between nomadic and ubiquitous computers that we outlined earlier closely match the relationship between an accessors and TAPs. An accessor is a highly personalized nomadic computer. The development of compact personal organizers and communication devices is bringing the dream of small, powerful accessors to life. TAPs will become ubiquitous devices when they are permanently connected to, or integrated into all computers or other devices that are to be made externally accessible. This is particularly important for allowing users to control ubiquitous computers in appliances, tools and houses.