Let's Talk Touch Screens

[Maestro]

I was at a small town computer retailer today (it was trick-or-treat in the downtown, so we took the almost-3-year-old -- she was a pirate), and while my daughter was getting her candy, I discovered the HP 22" Touch Screen. I immediately fell in love with it for the possibilities with Finale (a music notation program) and Pyware (a marching band drill program). I would literally be able to manipulate any music I composed/arranged with my fingers (much quicker, IMO, than using the mouse) and any drill I had uploaded. To me, this seems like it would be faster than using a mouse or computer keyboard, and, while not as fast with inputting music from a .MIDI piano, much more efficient than using the mouse and much more accurate than using the .MIDI (in the case of short duration accuracy). I would also envision being able to set chords and make transpositions much more quickly, and if I was doing a pep band arrangement from a preexisting .MIDI, I would be able to move the lines with my fingers, rather than all that clicking about with the mouse.

Does anyone have any opinions about the HP series Touchscreens? We're really considering buying this one for me.

 

[acs12798]

Whenever I hear discussion(which being in IT I hear often) I hear about how 5 or 10 years from now we won't have keyboards and mice because of touch screens. I would never accept that because for a lot of uses keyboards and mice are quicker. They are also lazier(harder to use a touchscreen while in a semi recline). However, uses like the ones you describe where direct manipulation is possible are why I expect touch screens to become ubiquitous in the future.

Personally, I would wait for Windows 7(roughy 12-16 months most likely) to come out to buy a touchscreen. It supports multitouch so i expect a lot more manufacturers will come out with multitouch systems.

 

[Maestro]

Right now, multi-touch isn't really a feature that I find alluring. Just being able to manipulate music through one-touch works for me.

 

[spinnerlys]

I don't know the touchscreen you're talking about, but I think it is a vertical installment.

Do you think you can work with that? Having your arms almost always up to touch the screen?
You will put your arms under quite a stress, which is virtually non-existent using mice and keyboards, as the arms rest on the table almost all the time.

 

[Captain Intrepid]

I don't know the touchscreen you're talking about, but I think it is a vertical installment.

Do you think you can work with that? Having your arms almost always up to touch the screen?
You will put your arms under quite a stress, which is virtually non-existent using mice and keyboards, as the arms rest on the table almost all the time.

Oh no! It might involve physical work!

I'm sure it'll be fine, and much less strenuous than most tasks.

 

[SalvorHardin]

You know, all other things aside one thing I'm worried about touch screens is how dirty and greasy they are going to get really quickly...

How can you do work when you fingerprints are all over the place blocking the view ?

 

[B.J.]

Do you think you can work with that? Having your arms almost always up to touch the screen?

Considering Maestro's profession, I don't think having his arms up would be a problem.

 

[spinnerlys]

Oh no! It might involve physical work!

I'm sure it'll be fine, and much less strenuous than most tasks.

I did mean it from an ergonomical point of view, as you put a lot of stress to your arms, working all the time with your arms stretched out to a screen.

A touch screen that can be put on a desk (lying down) could be less straining to your arms. But then you have strain on your neck. So a double display solution could be the best. One touch, and one view.

Just a thought.