Friedrich Clausen wrote: > As far as I can see, the ultimate goal of the OpenMoko project is to > give everyone the chance to use a phone with a completely free (as in > freedom) software stack. Right.
> For that to succeed I think a Capacitive > screen is better since you only need your fingers and no special > equipment. Wrong argument. The resistive screen doesn't need a stylus or other special equipment either. You can use the resistive screen with a finger only - no problem! The resistive screen gives you the _option_ of a stylus, for precision work. The capacitive screen doesn't give you the option. So the resistive screen has all the same options as the capacitive for finger-only use - capacitive has no advantage when it comes to fingers. > And, personal opinions aside, the non-technical users in my > social circle prefer the stylus free option. > Sure. And that works equally well with either screen. Nobody want a stylus for simple things like making a call. And no screen demands that either. But even non-techies may like some of the things you can do with a stylus. Such as handwriting, or drawing sketches. Capacitive screens won't give you the option. > But, and this is one of the strengths of the Freerunner (+ future > models), is the ability to run multiple distributions - we have > hacker friendly distros with full keyboards and end-user distros with > big friendly letters and smart ways to handle imprecision. > > Although the issue with capacitive screens remain - it appears that it > is not possible to create a really small stylus for use with a small > keyboard containing many buttons. In my very humble opinion, I believe > that a worthy sacrifice in order to create more mass appeal for the > Freerunner (+future models). If it gave a "mass market appeal". If! But what it the appeal of a capacitive screen? Certainly not the stylus-free operation, as the current resistive screen also does that just fine. Capacitive enforce stylus-free operation, resistive allows it too. Helge Hafting _______________________________________________ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community