the Future of PC's?

Fairygdmther · 02-12-2006, 09:49 AM

Touch Screens

Pretty cool, eh?

Lynsie

squarejawhero · 02-12-2006, 10:12 AM

The future of screensavers? More clever programming than anything I've seen before. I mean, I've been manipulating pixels on my DS and Cintiq for a while now! Pretty though.

***tabacco*** · 02-12-2006, 10:39 AM

touch screens are cool, but they're actually a pretty awkward interface for most day to day computing.

squarejawhero · 02-12-2006, 10:40 AM

The finger isn't pointy enough.

Lucien21 · 02-12-2006, 10:55 AM

Use a pencil sharpner

Karmillo · 02-12-2006, 10:58 AM

I done that once, and it wasnt as good as an idea I thought it was

Dasilva · 02-12-2006, 11:12 AM

Too experimental to be mainstream. Pretty cool though.

Lucien21 · 02-12-2006, 11:14 AM

Some version of it will become widepread i believe.

As SJH said the touchscreen technology is fairly widespread and will probably improve and move into the workplace.

*Melanie68* · 02-12-2006, 11:29 AM

Right now, the coffeeshops and cafes on campus have a touch screen computer for checkout. It's been used in restaurants quite extensively too. But I can't look at the video from home (slooooow connection) so I'm not sure if that is a good comparison.

Intrepid Homoludens · 02-12-2006, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squarejawhero

The future of screensavers? More clever programming than anything I've seen before. I mean, I've been manipulating pixels on my DS and Cintiq for a while now! Pretty though.

It looks like the next step or two towards more diverse, and in some cases more efficient, applications. For example, I can see it used in GPS in terms of military defense, as a tool in microscopic surgery, or even in border patrol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dasilva

Too experimental to be mainstream. Pretty cool though.

You say that as if we were in some techological vacuum. Practically ALL mainstream tech used to be in experimental stages.

Jayel · 02-12-2006, 11:49 AM

I'm more looking forward to
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=683

jjacob · 02-12-2006, 04:18 PM

Yeah, I love reading a couple of pages of Engadget.com once in a while (also, that Transformers robot, AWESOME

). My friend FREAKED OUT when I showed him the touch-screen video, because his dad invented kinetic art (trays of moving ink on overhead projectors) and they're both pretty damn good at it (they do concert together, pretty well known too throughout the art world). The possibilities with a couple of those screens are literally endless.

I love technology

SoccerDude28 · 02-12-2006, 04:27 PM

That thing with the part where he zooms the map is already been done by Google maps. The only difference is the interface. As a person who works more than 40 hours a week on a PC, I would hate to have to use a touch screen to type in my code. It just seems so un-ergonomic

Dasilva · 02-12-2006, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayel

I'm more looking forward to
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=683

Wow, so holodecks are just around the corner.

Intrepid Homoludens · 02-12-2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoccerDude28

As a person who works more than 40 hours a week on a PC, I would hate to have to use a touch screen to type in my code. It just seems so un-ergonomic

How do you know you would only have a touch screen to work with? Why not have that AND mouse and keyboard as well? One doesn't necessarily have to replace the other.

jjacob · 02-12-2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dasilva

Wow, so holodecks are just around the corner.

I hope so

The article did say they were trying to produce coloured chemical reactions, so who knows

Now they just have to create forcefields so the person will always remain in the middle of the room, giving the illusion of movement

Don't think we'll live to see the day, though

Dasilva · 02-12-2006, 05:17 PM

You never know, technology has advanced so much in the past 25 years, imagine what will be available in another 25 years.

pinkgothic · 02-12-2006, 05:36 PM

What Trep said is basically the solution. Just touchscreen is tedious - but additionally, it's great.

The reason a touchscreen is so problematic, ergonomically speaking, is that you have to put a lot more muscle power into interacting with the computer. You have to raise your arm and move your wrist, something which is barely present in using a mouse. The upside of a touchscreen is that you have a direct relation between what you are doing with the interface (say, pointing at something and clicking) and what happens.

In summary, a touchscreen demands less thinking (much less if it starts to be multiple interaction points like in that demo - picture trying to use two mice to simulate the two finger manipulation present in a lot of that demo! It'd be nuts), and a mouse can be used for significantly longer periods of time.

Both have pros. Particularily the aspect of having to move so much for relatively simplistic commands, though, is why it's rather likely that a touchscreen (and related technologies) is never going to make it into the common PC.

Woot, my studies pay off in an internet argument. ...must... fight... urge... to bring in trackpoints, trackballs... keyboard... gurglegraaaaah...

jjacob · 02-12-2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dasilva

You never know, technology has advanced so much in the past 25 years, imagine what will be available in another 25 years.

So very, very true. Though I think a holodeck, if invented, will remain the property of military purposes for a long time, sadly. Look at the price of a decent beamer. Now imagine the price of an omni-directional, holographic "beamer" (not even considering the "force field" technology). But this is all pure speculation anyway, who knows, perhaps every household will have its own holodeck in the basement in a couple of decades

***tabacco*** · 02-12-2006, 07:58 PM

unless the porn industry picks up on it.

02-12-2006, 09:49 AM	#1
Fairygdmther Magic Wand Waver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 3,142	the Future of PC's? Touch Screens Pretty cool, eh? Lynsie Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Ralph Waldo Emerson

02-12-2006, 10:12 AM	#2
squarejawhero Epinionated. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 5,841	The future of screensavers? More clever programming than anything I've seen before. I mean, I've been manipulating pixels on my DS and Cintiq for a while now! Pretty though. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Starter of Thread Must Die.

02-12-2006, 10:39 AM	#3
*tabacco* Friendly Server Admin Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Marin County, CA Posts: 4,087	touch screens are cool, but they're actually a pretty awkward interface for most day to day computing. Share Share this post on Twitter

02-12-2006, 10:40 AM	#4
squarejawhero Epinionated. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 5,841	The finger isn't pointy enough. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Starter of Thread Must Die.

02-12-2006, 10:55 AM	#5
Lucien21 Psychonaut Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,114	Use a pencil sharpner Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

02-12-2006, 10:58 AM	#6
Karmillo woof Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NOT REALLY RIGHT HERE Posts: 4,750	I done that once, and it wasnt as good as an idea I thought it was Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "I've got nothing to lose! Except for...well everything."

02-12-2006, 11:12 AM	#7
Dasilva Hitch-Hiker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Mediterranean Sea Posts: 4,364	Too experimental to be mainstream. Pretty cool though. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Regards, DaSilva "If you don't get out of the box you've been raised in, you won't understand how much bigger the world is." - Angelina Jolie _ <Susan falls through the floor and gets stuck> <Paco looks at her blankly> "Whats wrong with you?! Lassy would of had a firetruck here by now!" - Susan Mayer, Desperate Housewives

02-12-2006, 11:14 AM	#8
Lucien21 Psychonaut Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,114	Some version of it will become widepread i believe. As SJH said the touchscreen technology is fairly widespread and will probably improve and move into the workplace. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

02-12-2006, 11:29 AM	#9
Melanie68 Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,907	Right now, the coffeeshops and cafes on campus have a touch screen computer for checkout. It's been used in restaurants quite extensively too. But I can't look at the video from home (slooooow connection) so I'm not sure if that is a good comparison. Share Share this post on Twitter

02-12-2006, 11:49 AM	#11
Jayel Club a seal or two Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Oh Canada! Posts: 300	I'm more looking forward to http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=683 Share Share this post on Twitter

02-12-2006, 04:18 PM	#12
jjacob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2,771	Yeah, I love reading a couple of pages of Engadget.com once in a while (also, that Transformers robot, AWESOME ). My friend FREAKED OUT when I showed him the touch-screen video, because his dad invented kinetic art (trays of moving ink on overhead projectors) and they're both pretty damn good at it (they do concert together, pretty well known too throughout the art world). The possibilities with a couple of those screens are literally endless. I love technology Share Share this post on Twitter

02-12-2006, 04:27 PM	#13
SoccerDude28 Homer of Kittens Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Francisco, Bay Area Posts: 4,374	That thing with the part where he zooms the map is already been done by Google maps. The only difference is the interface. As a person who works more than 40 hours a week on a PC, I would hate to have to use a touch screen to type in my code. It just seems so un-ergonomic Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ -------------------------------------------------- Games I am playing: Jeanne D'Ark (PSP) Firefox rules

02-12-2006, 05:17 PM	#17
Dasilva Hitch-Hiker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Mediterranean Sea Posts: 4,364	You never know, technology has advanced so much in the past 25 years, imagine what will be available in another 25 years. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Regards, DaSilva "If you don't get out of the box you've been raised in, you won't understand how much bigger the world is." - Angelina Jolie _ <Susan falls through the floor and gets stuck> <Paco looks at her blankly> "Whats wrong with you?! Lassy would of had a firetruck here by now!" - Susan Mayer, Desperate Housewives

02-12-2006, 05:36 PM	#18
pinkgothic Feind der Anonymitaet! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 1,898	What Trep said is basically the solution. Just touchscreen is tedious - but additionally, it's great. The reason a touchscreen is so problematic, ergonomically speaking, is that you have to put a lot more muscle power into interacting with the computer. You have to raise your arm and move your wrist, something which is barely present in using a mouse. The upside of a touchscreen is that you have a direct relation between what you are doing with the interface (say, pointing at something and clicking) and what happens. In summary, a touchscreen demands less thinking (much less if it starts to be multiple interaction points like in that demo - picture trying to use two mice to simulate the two finger manipulation present in a lot of that demo! It'd be nuts), and a mouse can be used for significantly longer periods of time. Both have pros. Particularily the aspect of having to move so much for relatively simplistic commands, though, is why it's rather likely that a touchscreen (and related technologies) is never going to make it into the common PC. Woot, my studies pay off in an internet argument. ...must... fight... urge... to bring in trackpoints, trackballs... keyboard... gurglegraaaaah... Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "Me pee stick bigger you pee stick." (credit to, but not attributed to, Jeysie) "Don't be careful, be immortal." Brat™, certified as by Trep Winner of the Second-Best-Dressed and Non-Specific awards in the Unbiased Impostor Awards™, amongst many others. Non-Conformist to Non-Conformism™ Internet Explodifier™ - the best weapon of mass destruction!!!11one Trademark Overuser™ Last edited by pinkgothic; 02-12-2006 at 05:43 PM.

02-12-2006, 07:58 PM	#20
*tabacco* Friendly Server Admin Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Marin County, CA Posts: 4,087	unless the porn industry picks up on it. Share Share this post on Twitter

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