I've been watching my kids using their DS consoles. One of the main things that I notice is the styluses constantly being left lying around, getting lost, chewed or otherwise broken.
It is certainly much easier to use a finger; with the added benefit that, in general, people are more accurate in using their built-in equipment rather than external tools. The trouble is, of course, that fingers are usually much too big for the resolution required by modern touch devices.
Essentially a stylus is a miniature finger, except that they tend to be wielded in a manner more like a pencil. The implement lies along the finger and extends past the tip to provide a finer contact point than possible with a finger. This has restrictions for the necessary length and thickness of the tool to make it possible to hold comfortably. For instance, nearly all styluses I have seen are too short and thin to be easily handled - a restriction applied by the form factor of the device being used and how easily the tool can be stored.
The thought occurs that the more natural movement would be using the finger itself. The issue then becomes the wide area of a finger tip. Filing a long finger-nail into a point would be one solution but is something that would inconvenient when not in use.
An artificial fingernail then, that can be slipped on and off. A 'thimble' with a soft point on the tip. This form factor would provide a more natural mechanism for using smaller touch screens.
Now I realise that this would be a gimmick only. There are obvious issues with how to store on or in the device for easy access. Also the variation in finger size and the complications imposed by multi-touch. Still a flexible, elastic fingertip with a small point on the end would be an interesting variation on a theme.
This post is just vague rambling. If anyone is reading this and finds the idea intriguing, feel free to use it. I can't imagine that I would bother doing so my self.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Operating System Personalities
My mother-in-law is looking for a new computer. Her ancient machine - with CRT and running WinXP (no service pack) is finally going to be retired.
I find it interesting the advice she has been given from the rest of the family and what it says about the source.
Her daughter has recommended an Apple, preferably an Air or even an iPad. That says something about her.
Her son has recommended getting a shop to put something together from parts and make sure you install Linux. That says something about him.
To introduce an analogy - Apple are the cool kids in the school-yard. Everyone admires them and wants to be part of the group. They are where the party is AT. To be accepted you have to do things the acceptable way - which means the Apple way. You should sneer at everyone else. Also you need to update your entire wardrobe every six months to stay in fashion. Apple products ARE cool and desirable - but they are not designed to last.
And yes, my sister-in-law is very stylish and popular.
Linux is the nerdy kids and the outcasts. It is very robust and built to all the best specs. It is technically the best. It is eminently Extensible, Flexible and so forth. It is *very* robust and can be adapted to be exactly right for any purpose. There are multiple versions with fine distinctions that only the geeks really care about - but which you have to know in order to set it up properly. Basically there is a whole lot of context that you need to be aware of before you can join.
And yes, my brother-in-law is a geek.
To continue the analogy, Windows is the mainstream. They are inclusive and let anybody join. By default you are part of this group whatever your inclination. They go out of their way to make sure that they are open to all comers. Of course, this is also the downside. They are also open to all the undesirables (whatever that may mean to you). The bad kids (malware) and the clueless (useless applications) are there as well and you have to share the playground with them.
To answer the obvious question - my mother-in-law eventually bought an iMac. Not stylish anymore but it suits her use and, more than anything else, it just works. Which is fine by me since I know nothing about Macs and so I won't have to try to fix it for her :-)
I find it interesting the advice she has been given from the rest of the family and what it says about the source.
Her daughter has recommended an Apple, preferably an Air or even an iPad. That says something about her.
Her son has recommended getting a shop to put something together from parts and make sure you install Linux. That says something about him.
To introduce an analogy - Apple are the cool kids in the school-yard. Everyone admires them and wants to be part of the group. They are where the party is AT. To be accepted you have to do things the acceptable way - which means the Apple way. You should sneer at everyone else. Also you need to update your entire wardrobe every six months to stay in fashion. Apple products ARE cool and desirable - but they are not designed to last.
And yes, my sister-in-law is very stylish and popular.
Linux is the nerdy kids and the outcasts. It is very robust and built to all the best specs. It is technically the best. It is eminently Extensible, Flexible and so forth. It is *very* robust and can be adapted to be exactly right for any purpose. There are multiple versions with fine distinctions that only the geeks really care about - but which you have to know in order to set it up properly. Basically there is a whole lot of context that you need to be aware of before you can join.
And yes, my brother-in-law is a geek.
To continue the analogy, Windows is the mainstream. They are inclusive and let anybody join. By default you are part of this group whatever your inclination. They go out of their way to make sure that they are open to all comers. Of course, this is also the downside. They are also open to all the undesirables (whatever that may mean to you). The bad kids (malware) and the clueless (useless applications) are there as well and you have to share the playground with them.
To answer the obvious question - my mother-in-law eventually bought an iMac. Not stylish anymore but it suits her use and, more than anything else, it just works. Which is fine by me since I know nothing about Macs and so I won't have to try to fix it for her :-)
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