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New Tablet PCs With A Linux Option
Oliver Wendell Jones writes "InfoWorld is running an article about a new kind of inexpensive (starting under $800) tablet PC that runs your choice of Windows 2000, Windows XP or the Lindows distro of Linux. The PC is called the DocuNote and features an 8.4" touch screen with digital camera and microphone. The PCs are being created by a company called StepUp, which is formed of a lot of people from the old eMachines organization. DocuNotes are scheduled to start shipping in mid-December."
At this stage Linux doesn't have anything even close to that. Of course it would be fun to hack a Tablet PC but not much productivity could be expected.
And here an article about Tablet PC software.
'It's basically a cheap imitation of Windows.' at which point the customer says:
'No thanks, I'll go with the genuine thing.' As I said, Lindows does nothing for Linux and in fact probably strengthens Microsoft's ability to sell its OS.
?-|||-----x<*))))><
Marketing Dept - Fill the hardrive with Bonzi Buddy and other BundleCrap(TM).
Quality Control - Easy to strip screws included at no additional cost!
or Purchasing - "These Fujistu hard drives are a great deal!"
Ok, this may be slightly off-topic, and it may be a stupid question, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who is wondering -
What's with Lindows everywhere? First they get distribution with Wal-Mart PCs, and now these tablet PCs which look to me like they could be a serious competitor to the $2500 alternatives. Does anyone know anything about the company? Are they a "good" company as far as their open-source work? Are they looking to make any sort of corporate push? And on the technical side, I've never messed with Lindows myself. Is it similar to RedHat, or Debian, or what? Is it stable? Could anyone with experience with Lindows share their opinions and thoughts?
Thanks
Will these tablets be similar to eMachines in quality? In other words, none whatsoever?
$x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
$x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
Here's the site of the company that's making this thing:
http://www.stepupcomputing.com/
Wonder if they'll sell an OS-less version, so we don't have to pay the Windows tax?
---- I made the Kessel Run in under 11 parsecs.
Is at http://www.docunote.com/.
It looks pretty nice, even has a d-pad/mouse, but alas no thumbboard.
Jon Acheson
All opinions expressed herein are my own, and not those of my employers, who are appalled.
And many functions of pen computers don't require handwriting recognition at all (ink notes, browsing, e-books, etc.)--just getting rid of that bulky keyboard alone when it's not needed would be worth the pen computer.
A few things of note:
1. You CAN run Linux on a MS Tablet PC. No one's stopping you. Woo hoo.
2. These have TOUCH SCREENS. MS Tablets have electomagnetic pens, kinda like a Wacom tablet. NOT pressure sensitive like a touch screen.
3. MS Tablets have XP Tablet Edition, with the handwriting recognition/Ink software. Linux doesn't, and seeing the state Linux fonts are currently in ("Linux fonts are fine!! Just copy the TrueType fonts from Windblo... um, nevermind"), I don't think handwriting recognition software is on its way anytime soon (and before anyone brings it up, SourceForge projects below stage 3 or 4 DON'T COUNT).
So what we have here is a glorified Palm running linux or WinXP. Glue a touchscreen LCD onto a brick PC and you're done. Wahoo. I can go back to sleep now, because this in no way offers competition to the MS-based tablets. HAND.
So its about the same as a laptop, but has less power, is way more expensive than a PDA but doesn't fit in your pocket.
How is this inexpensive ? What next "Inexpensive Ferrari" ?
An Eye for an Eye will make the whole world blind - Gandhi
A keyboardless computer, that is running Lindows, that is designed by the people who brought us the e-machine. There are so many problems with that idea I don't know where to start.
Tablet PC's: "If a PDA can't cut it, you have enough money for a laptop but can't stand keyboards -- this is the platform for you."
(+1 Funny) only if I laugh out loud.
Here's a question:
I'm a DJ, and I've been using a laptop to suppliment vinyl for doing weddings, requests, etc. Is there a linux app for graphically mixing mp3s together? This would be the killer app for me to switch off of Windows for personal use. A tablet would look much more professional mounted into a mixer case with no display sticking up. So, to summarize- is there an mp3 mixer (a la Atomix) for Linux?
If you fall off a building, go real limp, because maybe you'll look like a dummy and people will be like hey, free dummy
:wq
try writing perl in graffiti!
Uhh_Duh wrote:
"Seriously, linux w/ a touchscreen?? How useful is that?!"
I agree. When was the last time you heard Picard say, "Data, bring up the command-line interface!"
My
Limekiller
On my linux tablet I use the touchscreen normally as you would a mouse. Works just fine for surfing, playing mp3's, etc.
For many things xstroke suits my needs quite well. (I've had a Palm for years so I'm used to grafiti. When I have to have a keyboard I pull up xvkbd and if I really need to type I plugin in one of those "industructable" keyboards that I keep in my desk or drop into my satchel.
So yeah, linux tablets work well, and having the power to download OSS apps, and or develop my own tools makes them excellent tools for the "power" user.
..next step get kdepim on it to sync with my desktop and my Palm...infomation everywhere, yeah team!
credo quia absurdum
Use final scratch!
The typing issue is trivial. I'm nearly certain you can plug in a standard keyboard (it's basically still a laptop, after all), and for those occasions when you can't, a simple app could put a keyboard on the screen and you can type on that.
Also, there's a neat gadget ( http://www.time.com/time/2002/inventions/rob_keybo ard.html )
that could be incorporated pretty easily, although I'm sure it's not in the machine under discussion. (Sorry if the URL is broken in half -- I couldn't figure out how to fix it.)
That's just one reason I consider a passive touchscreen (anything which can depress it can activate it) to an active one (has a special pen that is the only thing that will activate it.)
Here's a few others:
* Losing your stylus doesn't require a $15-$20 (at least) replacement, and render your machine completely dysfunctional until you get it.
* It allows software to become much more intuitive. The original concept of a mouse was to simulate being able to touch the objects on the "desktop" and move them around. The objects will still be a simulation, but the touching will be reality.
This has one medium serious drawback, of course. It means Apple was right to stick with a one-button mouse all this time...
* It opens up a whole bunch of new interface interaction possibilities. For example, to address the one-button,two-button,three-button issue, you could tap with one, two, or three fingers. (Some of the stuff that's been done with right-clicking I actually like. I'd rather not give it up.)
Even more, it makes possible interactions that could not possibly be done with a mouse, such as moving a window around with one hand and resizing it with the other at the same time (or resizing with two fingers on the same hand); or moving two windows (maybe even three or four if you've got big hands and coordination) at once.
How'd you like to design a web page layout by literal "hands-on" design? Eye-hand coordination is built into the species. Remote control devices like mice, trackballs, graphics tablets, etc all make it more difficult to use your mind for the creative, aesthetic side of the work. (Geeks, who usually don't have any aesthetic sense worth speaking of, and who use mice and keyboards more often than any other object, will not get as big a boost in productivity. Sorry.)
Add to that any other activities that involve multiple fingers (musical keyboards, 10-key pads, phone number pads and so on), and I consider a passive touchscreen a much better option than One Pen to Rul... Sorry, started to get carried away.
I am using a tablet pc in compusa right now. cool wireless internet access not compelling enough to compensate for nightmareish pen input interface. Getting this text entered correctly has taken more than 5 minutes...finally had to swith to soft keyboard.which sux to.
novelty at best
"Data, right click on My Network Neighborhood and choose properties..."
"Seriously, linux w/ a touchscreen?? How useful is that?!"
You're asking the same crowd that thinks it's cool to install Linux on a watch.