I think it's just another step along the progression of having computers
manipulate larger and more complex objects. In the early days you had
no metaphor of files and directories. You copied ranges of RAM around
and then sent the output of a process to tape or a terminal. Later you
typed English-like text to copy a file from one place to another. Still
later that file, or a set of files and structures, was represented as an
image which was picked up and dragged from one place to another. The
touch screen just replaces the mouse in this respect but it has finer
control so you can do finger gestures to indicate what specifically you
want done with the file. So this increases the illusion that you are
working with a real 'thing' inside the computer as you can now come
closer to manipulating it with your fingers. Want to enlarge a photo?
Use two fingers to pull it wider. Pinch it to shrink it. All this kind
of stuff is just the ongoing evolution of the user interface and
requires similar research and breakthroughs to make it accessible.
If I might geeze for a moment, I remember one day debating with our VAX
mainframe manager over how many CPU cycles were wasted with these new
fangled GUIs on the Macs and Windows where the mainframe text-only
interface was far more efficient. What he failed to calculate was the
value of human cycles wasted trying to conform to an alien way of
interacting. The VAXs went away and the Macs and their like stayed. I'm
looking forward to looking back and saying "remember when we argued
about those touch screen gestures?"
CB
Michael Babcock wrote:
hi;
I just believe that come due time, the keyboard is going to become
obsolete. It seems were moving to a thinner world. This is so that
people could do the talked about "Folding a computer up like a peas of
paper and putting it in there pocket". If we have touch screen we will
be able to be able to make a much more smoothly, compacted, computer.
Look at some of the atm's now, they are touch screens. Mobile phones,
going touch screen, As well, there are all ready computers in the near
future that are going to be touch screen. You may be right, and these
are just my thoughts.
michael
On Jan 27, 2009, at 8:42 PM, E.J. Zufelt wrote:
Good evening Michael,
Why do you believe that keyboards are going away?
I believe that touch input will become more prevelant on portable
computing devices, but I cannot envision a day where the standard
keyboard will completely disappear.
Everett
On 28-Jan-09, at 1:12 AM, Michael Babcock wrote:
sadly, keyboards, they are going away, slowly, but i'm sure they
will be going away, it's like roadery phones (the round ones) vs
dial tones, aka touch tones. It's happening
mike
On Jan 27, 2009, at 7:58 PM, Ryan Mann wrote:
I hope I will always have the option of using a regular keyboard
instead of a touch screen. If not, computers will be hard for
blind people to use. I need the regular keyboard so I can find the
home row by using the bumps on the f and j keys.
On Jan 27, 2009, at 6:39 PM, David Poehlman wrote:
I agree. a touch screen could also slim down the required
formfactor.
On Jan 27, 2009, at 5:38 PM, Jacob Schmude wrote:
Hi
Same here. A good majority of the blind community is so focused on
believing that touchscreens are inherently inaccessible that they
come very close to making it so--they believe it so strongly that
they do not and will not see past this misguided belief and
actually attempt it. I don't think a touchscreen is great for all
things, but they've certainly got their uses. I don't want them to
go away, I want to use them. Besides, hoping and wishing
touchscreens are going away is simply delusional. News flash: it's
not happening :).
On Jan 27, 2009, at 16:18, Michael Babcock wrote:
cara;
wonderful speaking up, honestly, i personally would love a touch
screen
mike
On Jan 27, 2009, at 12:13 PM, Cara Quinn wrote:
Actually, I'd hope they would, and make it accessible. I'm
sorry, but I'm not a part of this seeming 'blind' trend of
hating touch screens and thinking / wishing they'll go away!
lol! I want to see more, not less innovation, in both form
factor and graceful / chic access solutions to use such.
Have a great day!…
Smiles,
Cara :)
---
View my Online Portfolio at:
http://www.onemodelplace.com/CaraQuinn
On Jan 27, 2009, at 11:40 AM, Krister Ekstrom wrote:
Let's just hope Apple doesn't make an Iphone/Ipod touch like
interface, that is touch screen and no keyboard.
/Krister
27 jan 2009 kl. 19.47 skrev Jacob Schmude:
That's true, for the time being. I think Apple may have to
change their minds soon, if you look at netbook sales figures
they are selling like crazy. If that keeps up for a few more
months Apple might just reconsider--out of necessity, if
nothing else. If this market stays strong, as it certainly
seems it's going to, you can bet Apple will jump in and grab a
piece of it.
On Jan 27, 2009, at 13:42, Scott Howell wrote:
Apple has made no decision to enter this market. Steve Jobs
has said that if they do, it will be worth Apple's time and
effort and will be a benefit to the consumer. Which means
they might be neat, but the number that have sold does not
justify the investment of resources.
Scott Howell
[email protected]
On Jan 27, 2009, at 12:29 PM, Michael Babcock wrote:
look at the macbook air?
On Jan 27, 2009, at 8:06 AM, william lomas wrote:
hi wouldn't it be great if we could get a macbook the
size of a netbook?
I am considering getting a netbook whilst I love the
macbook I hear netbooks are even more portable, then the
average macbook nowadays in terms of convenience etcetera
regards, will
Michael Babcock
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Michael Babcock
GW Hosting, Your Dedicated Home On The Web
Phone: +1-888-272-3555, ext 4121
email: [email protected]
administrative e-mail: [email protected]
url: http://gwhosting.net
The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a
thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that
cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be
impossible to get at or repair.
--Douglas Adams
Michael Babcock
GW Hosting, Your Dedicated Home On The Web
Phone: +1-888-272-3555, ext 4121
email: [email protected]
administrative e-mail: [email protected]
url: http://gwhosting.net
Michael Babcock
GW Hosting, Your Dedicated Home On The Web
Phone: +1-888-272-3555, ext 4121
email: [email protected]
administrative e-mail: [email protected]
url: http://gwhosting.net
