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Tablet Mac Becomes Reality

teknokracy writes "MacMod has a story about a unique Mac hack. Joseph DeRuvo Jr. says: 'As a Photographer and a Dyslexic the idea of being able to use a Tablet as a platform for showing photographs, editing, and an extension of my badly organized memory is very appealing. ... So taking matters into my own hands I cut into a Dual USB iBook and didn't look back.' It seems our intrepid hardware hacker hasn't just flipped around the LCD and added a semi-functioning touch screen - he's completely engineered a new kind of mac portable, complete with a CF reader, properly installed touch sensor, and topped it all off by properly engineering it all into an Ives-worthy design. With all the trouble these particular iBook models have experienced, why not hack one up for fun and turn it in to something useful?"

276 comments

  1. where's the mirror? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    no comments and already the server died on us \o/

    1. Re:where's the mirror? by FHMyles · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      I'm even having trouble loading it from mirrors. I've tried gcache, mirrordot and nyud. So far, Gcache took several minutes to load the text and the pictures aren't loaded still. Holy crap guys, the mirrors have all been slashdotted!

    2. Re:where's the mirror? by ++CaChElInKeR++ · · Score: 1

      The mirrors aren't slashdotted. Try another Coral page like CNN. At least with Coral, the macmod site was already down -- how could the system get it then? It's NOT an archive!

  2. Sweet hack! by IO+ERROR · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Sweet Hack! One thing concerns me, though: he had to remove the keyboard. How in the world does he type on this thing?

    --
    How am I supposed to fit a pithy, relevant quote into 120 characters?
    1. Re:Sweet hack! by Almond+Paste · · Score: 0

      The same way one types on a pda?

    2. Re:Sweet hack! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's a tablet with a touch screen.

    3. Re:Sweet hack! by prof_peabody · · Score: 0

      Maybe with a blue tooth keyboard? That's what I'd use...

    4. Re:Sweet hack! by harakh · · Score: 1


      OS X has Inkwell built in, the Legendary handwriting-recognition system known from the Apple Newtons so if he has a working digitizer it's no problem at all.

    5. Re:Sweet hack! by Anonymous+Writer · · Score: 5, Informative

      How in the world does he type on this thing?

      Using Inkwell, which is part of OS X. I've read that it was developed from the handwriting recognition technology developed for the Newton.

    6. Re:Sweet hack! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He types on it by plugging in a USB keyboard, or a Bluetooth dongle, and then using the keyboard from that.

      I have to say, I'm definitely a fan of the tablet/laptop combos where the display swivels around, though. mmmm.

      I think my ibook is going to settle for being black though.

    7. Re:Sweet hack! by Archon-X · · Score: 5, Funny

      slowly, and with much frustration? :)

    8. Re:Sweet hack! by xpeeblix · · Score: 1

      How in the world does he type on this thing?

      From the article...

      Bluetooth built in for keyboard and mouse when needed

    9. Re:Sweet hack! by Lycestra · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The engine was named "Rosetta"

      proof that Mac OS X has the same engine, the easter eggs from the Newton still work on Mac OS X.

      A friend who has more consistent handwriting than I showed me. Write out Rosetta 3 times, and you will get "Rosetta Rosetta Hey, that's me!" Same thing happened on the Newton.

      --
      Lycestra
    10. Re:Sweet hack! by photoworkplace · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I am a Photographer not an author, I don't need something that is a replica of a typewriter, I need some thing that lets me work with images. inkWell, Bluetooth keyboard, and on screen keyboard form TouchStrokes all work fine for me.

    11. Re:Sweet hack! by lyonsden · · Score: 1

      How in the world does he type on this thing?

      From TFA Bluetooth built in for keyboard and mouse when needed.

      For reference, see this page at Apple.com.

    12. Re:Sweet hack! by geoffspear · · Score: 1

      I get "Rosetta Rosetta Rosetta" in Panther. Is there some other trick to this?

      --
      Don't blame me; I'm never given mod points.
    13. Re:Sweet hack! by Lycestra · · Score: 1

      maybe it was "Rosetta! Rosetta! Rosetta!" with exclamation marks. im sure google has something about it

      --
      Lycestra
    14. Re:Sweet hack! by bursch-X · · Score: 1

      You mean not?

      (you mean you give up the handwriting stuff because it's too unreliable and buy one of those foldable keyboards and then start wishing you'd had a fullsized one)?

      --
      There are two rules for success:
      1. Never tell everything you know.
    15. Re:Sweet hack! by CPrimerPlus · · Score: 1

      When my laptop is about the weight of a 8 1/2 X 11" notepad i'll be interested. until then....

    16. Re:Sweet hack! by capmilk · · Score: 1

      You are supposed to type Rosetta! Rosetta! Rosetta!.

    17. Re:Sweet hack! by steeviant · · Score: 1

      Eat up martha!

  3. ... and already slashdotted by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Good old Mambo and its bandwidth protection features!

  4. Re:*jizzims* by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Looks like he hosted it on that tablet to.

    FWOOSH!

  5. Google Cache by Dugsmyname · · Score: 2, Informative

    Mirror of the page is available via Google cache

    1. Re:Google Cache by iONiUM · · Score: 5, Insightful

      How is this useful?
      The pictures are still loading off the /.'d server (read: not loading), and since the pictures make this story, this link is useless.

      I hate how people think google cache is useful regardless of the content it's caching.

    2. Re:Google Cache by bloggins02 · · Score: 1

      ...and since the pictures make this story, this link is useless.

      The proper way to word this is: "This thread is worthless without pics." :)

    3. Re:Google Cache by iONiUM · · Score: 1

      Thanks, fark.

      ;)

    4. Re:Google Cache by notthe9 · · Score: 1

      Personally, I would rather have what content does remain than none at all.

  6. Poor iBooks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    With all the trouble these particular iBook models have experienced...

    Not to mention what its users have gone through.

    1. Re:Poor iBooks by BigBir3d · · Score: 1

      mine was fine until i threw it 15 feet across a room about a year ago. between the new hdd and me doing the work... it still works. just a little flaky now (can not pick up by left side near palm rest as there is a loose connection and the machine blinks out. :( other than that, seems to be a rather robust design. 800mhz g3 by the way.

  7. Just curious... by vidnet · · Score: 5, Funny

    Could this potentially void my warranty?

    1. Re:Just curious... by tesmako · · Score: 5, Funny

      Just the looks on the faces of the Apple repair shop workers when you bring in a completely new Macintosh model alone would be worth the effort to do this whole hack.

    2. Re:Just curious... by Refusedb · · Score: 1

      Yes, yes it would void the warranty.
      But would it be worth it? (assuming you don't completely destroy it?) YES

  8. Tablet PC by FiReaNGeL · · Score: 2, Interesting

    To me the real market of Tablet PCs have always been Mac users : they love cute, functional stuff, are often designers / artists / scientists... But Apple probably doesn't think its worth it. If only they were not this expensive... I would get one in an heartbeat.

    1. Re:Tablet PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful
      To me the real market of Tablet PCs have always been Mac users : they love cute, functional stuff, are often designers / artists / scientists...

      Yes yes! We scientists are real suckers for cute, functional stuff!
    2. Re:Tablet PC by ninthwave · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Having to work with engineers who do field inspections. Tablets are very much appreciated by people in many different areas. Just imagine any profession that used a clip board pre digital and you have a place where a tablet can be used.

      --
      I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said: "I drank what?" - Chris Knight (Val Kilmer)- Real Genius
    3. Re:Tablet PC by pben · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The first thing that Steve Jobs did when he returned was to kill the Newton. We all know that Jobs never makes mistakes, so if it uses a "pen" it will not have a Apple logo on it.

    4. Re:Tablet PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Mac users : they love cute, functional stuff

      As opposed to Windows users who love ugly, non-functional stuff? Or Linux users who love eye-candy-heavy, non-usable stuff?

    5. Re:Tablet PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And these Tablet spend 99% of their time running some vertical market application.

      Now consider that there's almost no vertical market development going on for the Mac, outside of desktop publishing. Which means an Apple Tablet would be a glorified web browser and not really useful to the people who buy tablets.

    6. Re:Tablet PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Just imagine any profession that used a clip board pre digital and you have a place where a tablet can be used.

      Not. Clipboards and paper are cheap and durable. Tablet PCs are *extremely* fragile and enormously expensive, and most of them aren't even readable in the presence of sunlight, let alone in any outdoor situation. Clipboards and paper work all day, Tablets work for about 2-3 hours then need a recharge. Did I mention the durability issue? Try treating a Tablet PC like a clipboard and it'll be broken within seconds - just tossing it two inches on to a desktop could break it!

      Doctors and lawyers are the only two professions I can think of who could benefit from tablet pcs, and coincidentally that's who they're marketed to, almost exclusively. For the myriad other professions who use clipboards they are not worth it.

    7. Re:Tablet PC by Fallen_Knight · · Score: 1

      photographers and digital artists.

      i would bet plenty of artists who would love to beable to get a tablet running photoshop with a really good interface for drawing.

    8. Re:Tablet PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You can buy an industrial-style ruggedized tablet PCs that are pretty indestructable. Yes it will cost you.

      However, Apple seems to favor fancy design over robustness, at least for Powerbooks and the like.

    9. Re:Tablet PC by ninthwave · · Score: 1

      BS, the are usually used for taking field notes and storing photographs to go with the field notes.

      Could be done in any OS on the market now.

      Not vertical market applications.

      We have currently rolled out the tough books, which addresses the conditions described above.

      --
      I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said: "I drank what?" - Chris Knight (Val Kilmer)- Real Genius
    10. Re:Tablet PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So why don't those artists use MS tablet PCs? They're available...you can easily go out and buy one for around the price of an apple laptop... Surely they can get used to photoshop x86 style if this is really a potentially useful tool for them.

    11. Re:Tablet PC by melatonin · · Score: 1

      And the next thing he did was try to by Palm from 3com, but they said it was not up for sale.

      --
      Moderators should have to take a reading comprehension test.
    12. Re:Tablet PC by bursch-X · · Score: 1

      "As opposed to Windows users who love ugly, non-functional stuff? "

      Actually make this: ugly, non-functional stuff als long as its CHEAP or it says on the package that it's CHEAP or as long as everybody else is using it, too, so it must be good

      Windows XP proves that thesis. If you tried to be funny, I'm afraid you've just been very true and sad...

      --
      There are two rules for success:
      1. Never tell everything you know.
    13. Re:Tablet PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think it's because they're not stupid.

    14. Re:Tablet PC by notthe9 · · Score: 1

      I think Illustrator is more geared toward drawing.

      Ah, the glories of Yahoo Graffiti with a tablet...

    15. Re:Tablet PC by Barlo_Mung_42 · · Score: 1

      You apparently are not aware that ruggedized Tablets have been around for years for these types of vertical applications. I even know of one company that makes a Tablet for the military that is bulletproof. Literally.

    16. Re:Tablet PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      About ruggedized Tablets - have any of you actually tried one out? I have.

      Personally, I can't see the point. The ruggedization destroys other appealing, arguably core aspects for the reason the computer is put into Tablet form to begin with. The ruggedized Tablet slate I hefted last year weighed 8 lbs... as much as a baby. The ruggedized clamshell weighed even more, and couldn't transform to slate mode. These are devices designed to be held by one hand by a standing user; I can't hold up my 3 lb. Tablet slate for longer than about 15 minutes before my hand gets fatigued; wielding the rugged version would be a real workout.

      And the worst part is, for all that trouble they don't completely sidestep the durability issue; for all the expense and weight and trouble they yet don't come close to a clipboard in terms of how much damage they can absorb and still be useful. I wouldn't toss a ruggedized Tablet two inches on to a tabletop any more than I would a regular Tablet - it could still easily break internal components. If you don't believe me, ask the military; they've moved to 100% proprietary solid-state computer systems because of the same problem: that ruggedized versions of things not designed from the ground up to survive abuse are kludges, plain and simple.

      The real clipboard-replacement "PADDs" are more likely IMO to evolve from PDAs than they are from Tablet PCs. In many significant ways PDAs are already there.

    17. Re:Tablet PC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your response is pure equivocation. The discussion was regarding the Microsoft Tablet PC standard (as dictated to OEMs), not any portable computer in slate form.

      P.S. When you assume, you make an "ass" of "u" and "me".

    18. Re:Tablet PC by Fallen_Knight · · Score: 1

      hmm, most of the poeple i know use PS:6/7/CS

  9. /,ed? by kflash15 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Slashdotted already? Does anyone have a mirror?

  10. Site already down... by AtOMiCNebula · · Score: 5, Informative

    The site is already down. Using the NYUD cache of it shows a message that the site is down...MirrorDot has it though.

    1. Re:Site already down... by TubeSteak · · Score: 1
      This thing totally kicks ass.

      And I just noticed this... the MirrorDot cache doesn't actually cache the images... So really, how useful is it?

      --
      [Fuck Beta]
      o0t!
    2. Re:Site already down... by wwwillem · · Score: 1

      They do mirror the images, you just have to be VERY patient.

      --
      Browsers shouldn't have a back button!! It's all about going forward...
    3. Re:Site already down... by TubeSteak · · Score: 1

      No, they really don't. check the properties of the images or view the page's source and you'll see that the images, css, pretty much everything are still linked from macmod.

      --
      [Fuck Beta]
      o0t!
    4. Re:Site already down... by aurb · · Score: 1

      Oh my god! We slashdotted mirrordot!

    5. Re:Site already down... by wwwillem · · Score: 1

      Ehhh, you're right!! Just like the Google cache. It's just that I got (most of) the images by just waiting long enough.

      --
      Browsers shouldn't have a back button!! It's all about going forward...
  11. Id hit it!! by t_allardyce · · Score: 5, Informative

    If Apple released a tablet computer (oops sorry, can't use the English word 'Tablet' anymore its owned by MS) i think they'd take the market - make it a little bit smaller tho and im sure they would manage to fit a slide-out keybord in there too!

    --
    This comment does not represent the views or opinions of the user.
    1. Re:Id hit it!! by jZnat · · Score: 1

      As long as they don't overprice them like Toshiba does (tablet notebooks), they'll dominate. I so want one for when I go to college.

      --
      'Yes, firefox is indeed greater than women. Can women block pops up for you? No. Can Firefox show you naked women? Yes.'
    2. Re:Id hit it!! by Quickfry · · Score: 1

      I honestly wish Apple would put out something like this. It would have the popularity of the iPod, as well as the usual power and sophistication you'd expect from a Mac. If anyone could shake up the tablet market, Apple could.

    3. Re:Id hit it!! by t_allardyce · · Score: 1

      Totally, chicks dig rich guys with Apples and you could probably use it for taking notes or something!

      --
      This comment does not represent the views or opinions of the user.
    4. Re:Id hit it!! by t_allardyce · · Score: 1

      They're screwing themselves over - people are still using Newtons and loving them, the iPod is now the _only_ mp3 player (even a Rio is now just a cheap knock off) Apple has the power to create the best PDA and the best tablet and anything in-between and they're missing their chance...

      --
      This comment does not represent the views or opinions of the user.
    5. Re:Id hit it!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I could have sworn I read on /. that MS copied _everything_ from Apple and likes, so surely they already have this?

  12. Re:Mac is being held down by Republicans by DrLZRDMN · · Score: 1

    sorry about this but W uses a powerbook

  13. TabletPC = Bad idea? by elh_inny · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I don't how many will agree but I'd never buy a TabletPC if I had other options.
    What I like about laptops is that when it's closed, the LCD screen is protected.
    Whether it's coding or writing a novel keyboard is still the way to go.
    TabletPC is a Microsoft marketing strategy, but to me it's in beta stage as the technology such as handwriting a voice recognition is simply not ready yet, it works sometimes but not good enough for production environment.

    1. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Did you not even read the hack? He created a nice LCD protector which, when closed, puts the machine into standby mode.

    2. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by embsysdev · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Toshiba has one with a swivel screen. Thus, protecting the screen and it has a keyboard.
      http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cmo d.to?coid=- 26373&sel=0&rcid=-26367&ccid=1291021&seg=HHO&sel=1 &src=AMEM&WT.srch=1

      Judging from the specs, I bet Linux would run fine on it. I don't own one (yet) but they appeal to me because it would be great for graphic editing and web browsing -- especially when used in the laptop configuration where you can type and touch hyperlinks on the screen.

    3. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by Reverberant · · Score: 4, Informative

      I recently bought a Tablet PC off eBay (Compaq TC1000) for use in a data acquisition system. I can see how the Tablet PC might be useful for certain vertical applications (like my own), but IMHO it's not a very good platform for general computing.

      Suprisingly, the handwriting recognition is not that bad (with SP2). The biggest problem I've found is that the OS is simply XP with a few "tablet" features bolted on. The Tablet PC really needs an interface developed from the ground up to make use of the pen-based interface.

      For example: As we all know, Windows uses the second mouse button for contextual menus - some of these menus are not easily accessible (or accessible at all!) using left-clicks. Left clicks and left double-clicks can be done by tapping the pen, but right-clicking is done (on my machine at least) by holding the pen to the screen for a few seconds. This is pretty kludgey; the contextual menu pops up at unwanted times, like when I'm trying to drag-and-drop icons, or maybe when I'm thinking for a moment and I'm letting the pen rest on the screen.

      That's one example, but their are others. Like I said, the handwriting recognition isn't too bad, but it's awkward for entering things like URLS (despite some helpful tools such as ".com" buttons). My model is "convertible" tablet, and I find that 90% of the time I'm using it in laptop mode.

      YMMV

    4. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by Rolo+Tomasi · · Score: 1

      How is this flamebait? If anything, history has shown us that since the days of the first typewriters, the keyboard comes very close to the ideal data input device. Even if you only type a URL every now and then, anything but a keyboard is inconvenient, slow and clumsy. The recent handwriting and speech recognition products actually work very well, yet all this stuff never really took off. I think the reason for that is simple: typing on a keyboard is still the best way to enter text, and likely always will be (well, until we get working thought recognition maybe).

      --
      Did you know you can fertilize your lawn with used motor oil?
    5. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      The RF stylus our Compaq tablet PC had made it impossible to get the context menu at all. The locating system the tablet used was not precise enough to locate to a single pixel where the stylus was resting, so the pointer would jump back and forth between two pixels and never rest long enough in one to get the menu. The problem got worse over time, and eventually we gave up on using tablets for our particular application.

    6. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by donutello · · Score: 1

      You have no idea what a TabletPC is, do you? Most TabletPC's out there are basically just laptops with the ability to flip the screen over and lay it flat to make a tablet. So there is nothing you can do with a regular laptop that you can't with a TabletPC.

      --
      Mmmm.. Donuts
    7. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by Jobby · · Score: 1

      AFAIK, all tablet pens have a button on the side to right-click. Certainly the pen that came with my TC1000 does. As for XP not going far enough in terms of a pen-based interface, that was a deliberate choice by the MS Tablet PC team, who felt that people would be scared off by the changes.

    8. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by Reverberant · · Score: 1
      AFAIK, all tablet pens have a button on the side to right-click. Certainly the pen that came with my TC1000 does.

      The button on my TC1000 pen seems to only left-click, even though the pen button is configured for right-click in the "Tablet and Pen Settings" CP.

      Oh well

    9. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by JeffTL · · Score: 1

      Two-button issues? That's where a Mac tablet would come in -- the OS is designed such that you can do pretty much anything with one button only -- that's why the second button, when it exists, just sends control+click on a Mac. Microsoft needs to take a cue from Apple and redesign Windows in general to be clean enough to use with one button -- it'd make tablet and accessibility a lot easier.

    10. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by Reverberant · · Score: 2
      Microsoft needs to take a cue from Apple and redesign Windows in general to be clean enough to use with one button

      Or at least add an "action menu" (like in Panther's Finder) to enable one-click access to contextual items.

    11. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by JeffTL · · Score: 1

      Exactly what I meant. You shouldn't need the second button if the interface is correct.

    12. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Uhh the only reason Apple's interface is at all usable (IMHO) is because of the keyboard. Whether it's keyboard shortcuts or the ctrl in ctrl-click, you'll drive yourself crazy without a keyboard. So I don't see that extended too well to tablets.

    13. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by PhoenixOne · · Score: 1
      >What I like about laptops is that when it's closed, the LCD screen is protected.
      >
      You can get a case for most tablets that protects the screen while still allowing you to use it (try using your laptop when it is closed ;)).

      I bought my tablet used, probably from somebody who thought this would be a good replacement for his laptop, it isn't. However, it is great for web browsing, reading email, taking notes, monitoring other devices, and reading eBooks. For $20 a month, I have access to the entire O'Reilly library (with the ability to search).

      For me, it isn't a replacement for a PC but the "Ultimate PDA".

      --
      Spell cheek you've failed me four the last thyme!
    14. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by mrshoe · · Score: 1

      Not to mention that the standard GUI elements in Windows are designed for a mouse (menus, buttons, etc.). Some interesting research I've seen done in this area includes CrossY. The app that demos the UI is a drawing app, but the point is that a Tablet-oriented OS would use such GUI elements all accross the board.

      --
      There are two types of people in this world: those that categorize other people and those that don't.
    15. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by spectecjr · · Score: 1

      The button on my TC1000 pen seems to only left-click, even though the pen button is configured for right-click in the "Tablet and Pen Settings" CP.

      Then you have a faulty pen, or a faulty digitizer. Contact tech support and get a replacement.

      --
      Coming soon - pyrogyra
    16. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by jaybird144 · · Score: 1

      However, with a tablet (where the keyboard is inaccessible) a Control-click is impossible, which makes all of the useful things that can be done with Control-click more difficult again.

    17. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by russellh · · Score: 1

      For coding or novel writing? Sure. Bad idea. But as a clipboard replacement? How about this - would you like to ditch your old trusty clipboard that you carry around and use standing up for eight hours a day with.... a laptop? I think tablets can be extremely useful without handwriting or voice recognition. They just need durability (for the outside crowd) and extremely accurate pen positioning (for the art crowd).

      As an aside, on the subject of HWR - I just don't need it. Until it is virtually perfect in all cases, it will only be a distraction (and a bad bad one at that). I don't see why, for instance, I cannot use a scribble as a filename. The OS can assign it whatever random ASCII or Unicode filesystem filename it wishes, but for my purposes, I can read my own damn handwriting and scribbles. I don't sort and search by filename. I think in time and dates, not names. There are those of use who have a lot of files named Untitled because, well, they are! I do endless amounts of graphic art and photography. (and a good example is how rarely I see the filenames of the 12k+ digital photo files I have, but I know where they are and can drag them into photoshop!)

      For actual writing or coding, I need a desk, my collection of chairs, music, my Happy Hacking keyboard, etc. So HWR? who cares! let me scribble away on a tablet.

      --
      must... stay... awake...
    18. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by JeffTL · · Score: 1

      Better to have the inconvenience of neither keyboard nor second button, but the ability to carry out the actions, than no ability at all.

    19. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Look at the pictures and read his article, there's a cover for the screen and the computer goes to sleep when its closed...

    20. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by NRP128 · · Score: 1

      Gee...you really haven't been around a lot of Tablets apparently. Every one i have ever seen has had a screen protector in some form.

      But waht if you want to take notes during a class digitally? use a Palm with a 1.x" screen? Yeah right.

      Tablets weren't made to do coding or writing a novel, they're made to give you information you need as rapidly as possible. THink about this: You have your bookmarks, mail, iCal, everything you use on a daily basis, synced with .Mac from your G3/4/5 at home. You walk into work, class, etc wherever a wireless connection is present, everythign syncs from .Mac. Think about it, how much typing do you really ahve to do to get the latest news? (slashdot bookmark or just set to safari home?)

      For web surfing, checking email, taking notes, and many other activities, a touch screen / tablet interface makes much more sense. The only thing i could see getting in the way would be instant message, but once handwriting recog picks up i can see a lot of things being fixed. And hell, even today's HR usually deciphers my writing, with as many or fewer mistakes as i'd make typing it myself.

      To each his own, but you made very little ground by citing coding and writing novels and an excuse to not have a keyboard.

      If *crosses fingers* Apple comes out with a tablet i'd make a huge wager it will be of the converable type with the screen attached to a swivel hinge that allows you to use it as a tradition laptop or as a tablet. If they'd do this, they WOULD have the market, no questions askes. OSX's interface would be soooo much easier ot manipulate than Windows' when you're using a stylus.

      I would love to be able to take digital notes. The guy who sat next to me in physics class had one made by Gateway, it was soo nice.

    21. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by EddWo · · Score: 1

      You have hold down the side button on the pen while you touch the pen to the screen to right click.
      It takes a bit of getting used to the first few times but its much more efficient than click-n-hold.

      --
      "Taligent is still pure vapor. Maybe they'll be the last who jumps up on Openstep... "
    22. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by notthe9 · · Score: 1

      Though I understand the possible convinience of one-button controls for things like tablets and PDAs, but do not like them when I'm using an actual mouse. I have five fingers, and I don't like wasting any of them. I wish I could get a mouse with three buttons, and two scroll wheel/buttons.

    23. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by Barlo_Mung_42 · · Score: 1

      You don't need a right button in Windows any more than you do on a Mac. The fact that very few people know this points to the usefulness of the right button.
      I work at a company with a fairly even split of Mac/Windows systems and it is interesting to note that almost all of the mac systems have multi button mice attached.
      With so many Mac users obviously preferring the extra button it astounds me that Apple still doesn't include a multi button option on their laptops.

    24. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by gravelpup · · Score: 1
      right-clicking is done (on my machine at least) by holding the pen to the screen for a few seconds.

      Most tablet pens have a button which is held down while tapping to produce a right-click, drag, etc. I have a Motion tablet which I've been very pleased with for a year and a half. No scratches on the screen, either -- tablets usually have a tough plastic layer on top, unlike your typical laptop screen. It's only an adequate development box at 933 MHz, but tablets are not really targeted at developers or, coincidentally, the typical Slashdot reader. They are most useful for managers, QA types, doctors, college students, and anyone who has to move around a lot and needs access to a computer on the go. They work great for taking notes in meetings or couch surfing. Not so great for entering copious amounts of formatted text.

      --

      Things are more like they are now than they ever were before.

    25. Re:TabletPC = Bad idea? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So you put a control button on the tablet, or a 'sticky' control button on the screen somewhere.

  14. Boooooooo by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 1

    MacMod - Your Mac Modding HQ
    This site is temporarily unavailable.
    Please contact your System Administrator.
    2


    anyone got a mirror?

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
    1. Re:Boooooooo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Mirror, mirror, on the wall,
      Who is the most Slashdotted of all?

  15. It's not unique by Reverberant · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's been done before

    1. Re:It's not unique by Almond+Paste · · Score: 2, Funny

      That thing looked more like an Etch-a-Sketch.

    2. Re:It's not unique by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ha, just another example of /.'ers forgetting the accomplishments of those who've come before. Witness the list of top 20 CS contributors recently, ignoring the history/importance of other OS's such as Unix/VMS, avoiding other programming languages (C/Fortran/Ada...). This generation of IT (admins, programmers, web designers) think they invented it all and sadly, they think they're doing it "right" and therefore no longer listen to anyone else.

  16. Stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    it's hardly any smaller than a laptop

    1. Re:Stupid by SharpFang · · Score: 1

      ...except of its tablet form.
      A laptop to be usable has to have the lid opened and then practically doubles in size, or more. This thing doesn't need to be opened, it has the neat "closed laptop" dimensions all the time.

      --
      45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
    2. Re:Stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wrong, even the pictured mod has a cover that must be opened. The fact the the cover is non-functional doesn't subtract from the need to open it and the resulting increase size. After all, if you include laptops with swivel screens that can be closed to make an equivalent tablet-pc, you'd have the same thing. I think tablet-pc's are a great thing in many situations, but I don't believe space savings is one of them. The tablet-pc's become useful in the same situations that clipboards once (still) serve.

  17. Here is a suggestion for a "software hack" ... by xdesk · · Score: 1, Troll

    Step 1: recompile Mac OS X for x86
    Step 2: install it on a good-quality TabletPC (like a Toshiba)
    The final result will be FAR more interesting :)

    1. Re:Here is a suggestion for a "software hack" ... by someguy456 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Step 3: Profit!

    2. Re:Here is a suggestion for a "software hack" ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Step 3: Stop being an OS X on x86 troll and get a life

    3. Re:Here is a suggestion for a "software hack" ... by norkakn · · Score: 1

      Step 2: install it on a good-quality TabletPC (like a Toshiba)

      HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH

      you're kidding right? I've yet to see a good tablet PC. And yes, I know two people with brand new toshibas. Both have horrible problems with them and I had to help one fix his. (both are computer engineering profs)

    4. Re:Here is a suggestion for a "software hack" ... by Steve+Cowan · · Score: 3, Funny

      Hey, great idea! I've got a business proposition: You do the recompile, I'll install it on the Toshiba!

    5. Re:Here is a suggestion for a "software hack" ... by phalse+phace · · Score: 1

      .... And I'll profit!

    6. Re:Here is a suggestion for a "software hack" ... by Tony+Hoyle · · Score: 1

      I've got a toshiba (getting a little old now) that's never had a problem with it.

      Newer laptops seem much worse though - I paid over the odds (about 25% more expensive than the cheapest model) for a Fujutsu laptop and it's utter junk - the paint is coming off, the keyboard is loose, it won't come out of standby properly and the rubber feet are falling off (and the only guarantee is 'return to base' - to the US.... 3,000 miles away by airmail).

    7. Re:Here is a suggestion for a "software hack" ... by GlockToTheHead · · Score: 1

      OMG! OH NOES! Apple CAN'T EVER put OS X on Pee Cees it's against the religion!!

      Apple makes all their money on hardware, they could NEVER make money as a software company. I DON'T CARE IF OTHER COMPANIES CAN DO IT!! APPLE CAN'T! I'm not listening to you LA DE DA!!

  18. Ob. Simpsons Quote by Zorilla · · Score: 5, Funny

    Kearney: "Hey, Dolph - take a memo on your Newton: beat up Martin."

    Eat up Martha.

    Kearney: "Bah!" (throws the Newton and it hits Martin in the head)

    --

    It would be cool if it didn't suck.
    1. Re:Ob. Simpsons Quote by Anonymous+Writer · · Score: 1

      I can't find a link, but I read somewhere that the reason the Newton sucked that way is because John Scully didn't understand that recognising print handwriting rather than cursive handwriting was the way to go. Print is more feasible than cursive from a programming perspective, yet he insisted on cursive.

    2. Re:Ob. Simpsons Quote by Richard5mith · · Score: 2, Informative

      That kind of rubbish handwriting recognition was only true on the early Newtons, when Apple licensed the technology from someone else. In the end, they dumped it and wrote their own, giving much better results in the later models.

      Microsoft now license the original software for us on the Pocket PC.

    3. Re:Ob. Simpsons Quote by macmurph · · Score: 3, Funny

      I printed "Chris" into a Compaq iPaq and it recognized it as "Anus". I nearly died on the floor from laughing.

      A true story!

      In contrast, the Newton 2100 handwriting recognition is still considered awesome.

      I once had a chance to play with one. I signed my name and it recognized my signature and converted it to text...I was blown away.

    4. Re:Ob. Simpsons Quote by Pandora's+Vox · · Score: 1

      the newton can do both, and you set which one you want to use. I quite like the cursive recognizer, and have it set to that, but the print recognizer is great too.

      as far as i understand it there are separate engines for each. you set which one you prefer when you're setting up your newton, and it uses the one you set.

      long live the newt :-)

      -Leigh

    5. Re:Ob. Simpsons Quote by RzUpAnmsCwrds · · Score: 3, Interesting

      "Microsoft now license the original software for us on the Pocket PC."

      The Transcriber handwriting recognition on the Pocket PC is a modified version of Calligrapher, from PhatWare. It was not developed by Apple.

      The block recognizer is based on Graffiti licensed from Xerox. The letter recognizer is based on Jot licensed from CIC, the same company that developed Graffiti 2.

    6. Re:Ob. Simpsons Quote by fataugie · · Score: 1

      Everytime someone brings up Newton and recognition, this exact scene pops into my head.

      --

      WTF? Over?

    7. Re:Ob. Simpsons Quote by Richard5mith · · Score: 1

      I didn't say the software on the Pocket PC was developed by Apple. I said the software on the Pocket PC was licensed from the same people Apple originally licensed the software for the Newton from. When it was crap and didn't work.

    8. Re:Ob. Simpsons Quote by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      You may want to work on your paragraph structure. I read your first post the same way your responder did. Looking back, careful reading does indicate as you say. However, most people on /. aren't carefully reading. We skim quickly, looking for interesting posts.

    9. Re:Ob. Simpsons Quote by HoldmyCauls · · Score: 1

      Gah! that's constantly misquoted! It reads "Eat at Martha's"

      --
      Emacs: for people who just never know when to :q!
    10. Re:Ob. Simpsons Quote by Zorilla · · Score: 1

      I've got a video that says otherwise.

      I can't find a working link to the video offsite because, according to Google, there is only one copy of the clip on the planet and every Geocities page links to it, so it's been removed.

      Here. This one is on my computer. The web server's on and off - if you can't get to it, it means I've booted into Windows to do something else.

      --

      It would be cool if it didn't suck.
    11. Re:Ob. Simpsons Quote by Zorilla · · Score: 1

      Ok, found another in case I turn off my web server:

      Here.

      --

      It would be cool if it didn't suck.
  19. Not: consider work size [Re: Stupid] by j.leidner · · Score: 1
    It would seem that a fair size comparison between two different types of things (like apples and peaches) must involve a more abstract metric to do both justice.

    In the case of laptop v tablet PC I suggest size comparisons to be based on the surface are of the opened/unfolded laptop, which is after all its working size (the surface it occupies when it's actually used).

    --
    Coolbeans! The patent-pending Nuggets , SMS search engine -- text your questions, get your answers from the Web.

  20. He could have saved a lot of bulk! by Ben+Jackson · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm amazed at the interior shots. He didn't even take the plastic cases off of things like the flash card reader or the firewire hub he added. He didn't even solder the new USB cables directly to the devices -- there are entire molded plastic plugs in there!

    1. Re:He could have saved a lot of bulk! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He did it where he had to...

      "I also came to the (frightening) realization that to get the hubs to fit and not have their cables running from the outside I would have to de-solder the USB and Firewire ports and solder the hubs directly to the mother board. "

      You have to make a trade off between following your anal engineering mind, and being confident the thing will work at the end of the day.
      Messing around soldering onto multilayer boards with lots of SMD components leads to a flaky computer. (I've made that mistake myself!)

    2. Re:He could have saved a lot of bulk! by chialea · · Score: 1

      He couldn't have saved a lot of bulk, because he was using a pre-made casing. No matter how empty he made the inside, the outside is still going to have the same dimensions.

      I'd prefer to look at it as room for creativity. What else would be useful (and not too heavy) for a computer like this one? My first thought would be a slide-out keyboard, like the mouse on my dad's tiny laptop. Push a button, and *shoop* a keyboard which is supported on your desk-surface. (This allows you to save a LOT of bulk in supportive materials, even with little spring loaded legs.) My next thought is that you might be able to get some useful audio hardware in there.

      And, of course, there is the age-old "secret drawer" technique. No more writing your passwords down and sticking them to the bottom of your keyboard. No, instead you type in the correct password and *poof* out they come, in their own secret drawer. Very. Secret.

      Lea

    3. Re:He could have saved a lot of bulk! by photoworkplace · · Score: 5, Informative

      Listen I'm no engineer I do not have a machine shop available to me, I did the best I could to get the thing working. I could not save any more room then the height of the hard drive, the flash card reader case had the guide rails for loading the flash cards in,( I did not want bent pins, or to fumble with trying to get the card seated when I am in a hurry ) Also, I wanted to be able to remove the individual components when I needed to, I had already gone through one bad USB hub. So that's where I was coming from.

    4. Re:He could have saved a lot of bulk! by spasm · · Score: 1

      i think he was kind of complimenting you - that you came up with such a fabulously functional hack without having to do irreversable things to every last component you put into it.

      great job, and thanks for sharing it with everyone.

      pete

  21. I'd disagree ? Smart Phone Integration Link by DelawareBoy · · Score: 1

    I own a Tablet PC. I think the Handwriting recognition is remarkable. And I use it in a production environment. Mostly for note taking, but for other things as well.

    I have found that the handwriting works great if and only if you use cursive handwriting. If you print, I notice a few quirks show up on those similar characters. But if you put them into a sentence, even that isn't bad (It's smart enough to figure out what you mean, even if it's not recognizing things 100%).

    I cannot speak for voice recognition yet, as I don't use it.

    One neat thing that MS is doing with tablets involves integration between Smart phones and tablets, since they are logical complements of each other. An Interesting Link follows.

    http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=29 85 4

    1. Re:I'd disagree ? Smart Phone Integration Link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Robert Scoble? Is that you?

    2. Re:I'd disagree ? Smart Phone Integration Link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > I cannot speak for voice recognition yet, as I don't use it.
      Get it? "speak"?

    3. Re:I'd disagree ? Smart Phone Integration Link by Reverberant · · Score: 1
      I have found that the handwriting works great if and only if you use cursive handwriting.

      Agreed.

      One neat thing that MS is doing with tablets involves integration between Smart phones and tablets, since they are logical complements of each other.

      As pointed out in the discussion in your link, everything described in that video is possible today on Mac OS X using Sailing Clicker. I'd be surprised if there wasn't equivalent Windows software.

  22. Re:Mac is being held down by Republicans by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They all got fired because they spent too much time reading and posting on /.!

  23. What trouble? by ggambett · · Score: 1

    With all the trouble these particular iBook models have experienced

    What trouble is that? I have one of those and I'm quite happy with it (although I use it as a second system only). Can someone explain?

    1. Re:What trouble? by jxyama · · Score: 1
      the logic board is known to fail quite often. apple has an extended repair program.

      http://www.apple.com/support/ibook/faq/

    2. Re:What trouble? by FuzzzyLogik · · Score: 1

      I'm not sure because i can't read the article due to slashdotting.. but i believe the G3 ibooks had logic board failures up the wazoo ... In typical leo laporte fashion his died and after sitting on it for awhile he threw it away and bought a 12" powerbook, a day or two after he did that Apple had a logic board recall notice or warranty extension of some kind... ;) kinda funny how that man always gets burned by apple some way or another... typically he buys a model, and the next day they release an update. poor planning on his part mostly :-P

    3. Re:What trouble? by Steve+Cowan · · Score: 1

      Um, it doesn't fail "quite often", and only affects models within a certain serial number range.

      I got my 'Book in October 2001 and it has been flawless. Besides, a problem is only really a problem if there is no fix, and the link you posted details a quick, free fix.

      Seriously, Apple's white iBooks have been rock-solid for everybody I know who has one. Because of its value and durability it's one of the best-selling laptops of all time. Just because a batch has been identified with a specific (potential) fault hardly means it's plagued with problems.

    4. Re:What trouble? by digital+photo · · Score: 1

      I second that.

      I've owned a dual-usb white ibook since late 2001/early 2002 and have had no troubles with it.

      I was lucky in that I didn't get one with the faulty logic board and have loved using it. They are solid laptops and nowhere near as clunky as most of the PC based laptops I see which seem to like the idea of large volumes and bulky components. :(

      My only gripes with Apple's iBook:

      • No PCCARD or CARDBUS slots.
      • Software locked against using iDVD. (No good reason for this since there are external DVD writers available!)

      I also use WinXPPro and Linux. (iBook chosen because it contains a Unix backend! Woohoo!)

    5. Re:What trouble? by FuzzieNorn · · Score: 3, Interesting

      'quick, free fix'? Hah! My G3 iBook logic board failed about once a month for the last 9 months or so.. I got it in November 2002, first failure was in late 2003. They kept replacing the board for free, only for it to fail again a month later. 'temporary hack', perhaps, but not 'fix'.

      Mind you .. phoned them up last time it failed and asked if they'd replace it (hadn't asked before because I didn't want to be without the iBook, and they were giving me 3-day turnarounds on the repairs), they took one look at my repair history and agreed, and I'm now typing on a brand new 1.2ghz iBook G4.

      Admittedly my history is much worse than all the other iBook owners I know who own machines from the serial number range, but most of them have had at least one logic board failure. Note that the serial number range covers *years* worth of the iBook models, it's not just a single batch.

    6. Re:What trouble? by zefram+cochrane · · Score: 1

      I too have a G3 iBook that has had it's fair share of logic board issues. This will now be the third time that mine has been in the shop, and second time in six months that the logic board will be replaced on Apple. I love the machine, but if it continues to chew through boards every three months, Apple damn well better do something more about it then leaving me with an unreliable machine...read new G4 please!

  24. Re:Mac is being held down by Republicans by WIAKywbfatw · · Score: 4, Funny

    Proof, if proof was needed, that Macs are so simple to use that even a complete idiot can use one!

    --

    "Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
  25. Old iBooks would be good for the car by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

    They should have fairly low power consumption and the LCD panel is about the right size to fit in most people's center console. Plus, you can put wifi on them trivially. Just add USB GPS and some navigation software... woops! You can only get nav software for windows. (You can get map software for Mac or Unix...)

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    1. Re:Old iBooks would be good for the car by Mordant · · Score: 1

      Untrue - Route 66 works just fine on my Mac with a USB GPS receiver, thank you very much.

    2. Re:Old iBooks would be good for the car by gabebear · · Score: 1

      I haven' t actually tried Route 66's Route 2004 yet but it looks nice and I've heard very good things about it. If you are looking for GPS road navigation software for OSX I'd give it a shot, it's only $40.

      If you are looking for maritime navigation only then there are lots of options out there.

    3. Re:Old iBooks would be good for the car by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      First of all, Route 66 is the name of the company, not the product. What product are we discussing? If it's Route USA for Macintosh, it doesn't appear to be navigation software, but map software, just like Microsoft Streets and Trips, but unlike (for example) Delorme Street Atlas, which will announce to you (verbally or using ideograms) when a turn is approaching and which way you need to go.

      If it does navigation, it certainly doesn't say so on their webpage. Sounds to me like you have only provided me a supporting statement.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    4. Re:Old iBooks would be good for the car by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Route 2004 is not a navigation package. Route 66 does have a navigation package for PowerPC but they don't appear to have one for Windows or MacOS. This is why I mentioned map and navigation software separately in my comment. Route 2004 seems to be the same thing as Microsoft's Streets and Trips, though they have a Mac version. It's a map program; it does route planning but no route tracking which makes it pretty useless in the car. I'm not going to be peering at the screen trying to figure out what my next turn is. Delorme Street Atlas (Windows) will tell me verbally and I believe show an arrow (I don't have an LCD yet so I haven't tried this, I may be getting a laptop soon.)

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    5. Re:Old iBooks would be good for the car by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think that fucking faggot just went and googled something quick to refute your point. What a lame fucking play. Are all AAPL users this gay or just the ones who post on /.?

    6. Re:Old iBooks would be good for the car by Mordant · · Score: 1

      It most certainly does do navigation - I've used it many times, it works pretty well. The main gripe I have with it is that it doesn't automagically reorient the map when you change direction, and as you mention, it doesn't verbally announce turns.

      But it does route-planning, route-recalculation (albeit with manual triggers), and has Points of Interest for all the areas I've visited.

    7. Re:Old iBooks would be good for the car by drinkypoo · · Score: 1
      Not verbally announcing turns is inexecusable on any OS that includes a speech synthesizer. That includes Windows XP, and MacOS since 8.0. (IIRC not all macs that could handle speech came with speech stuff for some reason, but I might misremember.)

      Streets and trips has route planning, manual recalculation, avoid areas, and construction information via the 'net, but it lacks the announcements (even prerecorded samples could do the job, frankly) or in fact any means of handling waypoints and GPS, which is why I turned to street atlas, which is a real navigation program. If it doesn't do navigation for you, it's just a map with route planning.

      I would far rather use a non-windows solution (OSX or Linux would do fine) in the car because I don't trust Windows as far as I can throw microsoft's yearly profit in pennies.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    8. Re:Old iBooks would be good for the car by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      All of them.

  26. Look at the new iMac. Look at a tablet. See the .. by crovira · · Score: 1

    problem. Everything that would be needed in a tablet PC doesn't fit in a tablet PC. Almost but not quite.

    Hence, no practical (read $ paying) market place for it.

    Maybe as a wireless remote to a server, the thing would be okay, but you then need the kind of wireless environment to support it. (Love to work there.) PARC probably has something like that set up already.

    --
    MSBPodcast.com The opinions expressed here are my own. If you don't like 'em... Think up your own stuff.
  27. Inkwell by eobanb · · Score: 1

    It's a little-known fact that Mac OS X has a very good built-in handwriting recognition engine called Inkwell.

    --

    Take off every sig. For great justice.

  28. Here's a picture of it, at least by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Until the site comes up again:
    http://www.engadget.com/entry/123400065302 3255/

  29. Smaller Touchscreen for an iBook? by stibles · · Score: 1

    This is AWESOME. I have an ibook sitting around for just this purpose, but I was hoping to use a smaller lcd. Which is why it's still an ibook. Props to this guy for getting it done. I agree some bulk could have been removed, but the final product looks GREAT. If anyone knows ANYTHING about adding a smaller touchscreen to an ibook, holla.

    1. Re:Smaller Touchscreen for an iBook? by devnevyn · · Score: 1

      TouchSTAR slipCOVER, touch screen slip-on screens for Powerbooks. Only the 17" version available atm, but they're coming for the 15" and 12" too. The iBook 12" and PowerBook 12" have almost the exact same form factor, so the one for the 12" should fit nicely on an iBook too.

  30. Re:bluetooth by Spydr · · Score: 1

    why not just bundle it with a small portable bluetooth keyboard? (the current apple bluetooth keyboard is a little big to carry around)

    then you could take it with you if you need it, or leave it home if you don't.

  31. Uh, what? by eobanb · · Score: 1

    Or, I could just say..."look at a Dell desktop. Look at a tablet. See the problem. Everything that would be needed in a tablet PC doesn't fit in a tablet PC." Right?

    Basically, comparing a desktop to a tablet is BS, dude. Look at a PowerBook G4. Look at a tablet. Everything that would be needed in a tablet PC DOES fit in a tablet PC.

    Besides, PowerBook G5s will be coming soon...

    --

    Take off every sig. For great justice.

    1. Re:Uh, what? by FuzzzyLogik · · Score: 1

      Soon? 6 months at the earliest... AT THE EARLIEST... even then.. that's a pipe dream.. so... expect another year of G4's .... sheesh

  32. Damn you, /. subscribers! by Civil_Disobedient · · Score: 1

    Didn't even bother to mirror the pictures, huh. Somebody else's problem. Thanks a bunch for the text mirrors, though, so I can read how cool this must actually look.

    What in the hell good is Google, MirrorDot or NYUD without pictures!?

  33. Re:Mac is being held down by Republicans by Stormwatch · · Score: 1
  34. Need Voice Input by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now all we need is a proper voice input and networking with central servers. Shrink the size a little, just a little, and make it thinner. Then we will have one just like on the Star Trek programs. This is really a possibility with our present technology!

  35. Re:Look at the new iMac. Look at a tablet. See the by Mikkeles · · Score: 1
    'Maybe as a wireless remote to a server, the thing would be okay, but you then need the kind of wireless environment to support it. (Love to work there.) PARC probably has something like that set up already.'

    Yes, they do (or did) and called it ubiquitous computing.

    --
    Great minds think alike; fools seldom differ.
  36. Full article text by 4-D4Y · · Score: 3, Informative

    Contributed by Joseph DeRuvo Jr.
    Friday, 10 December 2004

    20041006--001014.jpg - 30.27 KB

    Close to 12 years ago I caught wind of an Operating System called PenPoint. This was one of the first pen driven operating systems out there. I had contacted them and spoke of how so many people had been left out of the technological revolution and I had thought it was due to the awkwardness of the current state of hardware and software design. At that time I would have hoped Apple would have risen to the challenge to develop a Tablet but as it turned out it was Microsoft who took the chance.

    Working with a computer all day long, I have to say that there is nothing quite as pretty as OS X. It is by no means perfect, as a Photographer running 4 Epson printers and depending on the quality of output, it is a continuous frustration and I am afraid the fault lies with Apple not Epson.

    As a Photographer and a Dyslexic the idea of being able to use a Tablet as a platform for showing photographs, editing, and an extension of my badly organized memory is very appealing. I had purchased an early QBE, which I was happy with, except for the problem of going between the QBE and all my other desktops which are Apples, it was always the odd man out, in addition to the frustration of finding cross platform software. So taking matters into my own hands I cut into a Dual USB iBook and didn't look back.

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    The first thing to consider is what I needed it to do. As a Wedding Photographer I needed something that would serve me in the field, so it needed to have:
    -A built in Compact Flash Card reader
    -Firewire (USB would be to slow)
    -Two built in hard drives (so that the flashcard could be written to both at the same time)
    -Extra Firewire ports for external hard drives and DVD burners.
    -Bluetooth built in for keyboard and mouse when needed
    -touch screen and the driver board for it.

    Some functions I wanted to keep intact:
    built in mouse click
    on off switch
    built in CD burning
    good air port reception
    mic for voice recognition
    ability to put it into sleep mode when I close the cover

    Putting it all together I have to thank God wasn't so bad, miracles happen everyday.

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    20041006--001015.jpg - 42.57 KB

    20041006--001016.jpg - 43.78 KB

    The first problem was how to make it touch sensitive. I obviously had thought of going with Wacom but, using their technology would require a different screen configuration which would make it more difficult. Thank God I had found out about Troll Touch, they were a pleasure to work with. Troll Touch are makers of touch screens for Kiosks. They were one of the few manufactures that had a driver written for OS X, the digitizer sits in front of the screen and is touch sensitive, while the driver board runs through a USB port. A resistive digitizer is good and bad, it means you can use your finger to navigate and click, even ink will recognize your hand writing, but you do not have the full functionality of what a Wacom tablet will give you.
    The second problem was how to fit all this inside. I had acquired the shell of a dead iBook so with that I took the top plate and used it as a spacer. Recognizing that I had no need of a keyboard I pulled that out making room for the extra hard drive and slot for the flash card reader. I also had to make room for a USB and Firewire hub in the shell. Not to make light of all this but it is a creative process, like baking bread, there is a recipe but, there is also some room for making it up as you go along. After opening the thing up and figuring out where everything will fit, I started to look into removing the screen and hinges. I also came to the (frightening) realization that to get the hubs to fit and not have their cables running from the o

    --
    A-Day
  37. Re:Mac is being held down by Republicans by primalamn · · Score: 1

    Rush Limbaugh uses Apple products too, and is a forceful proponent of them, and haaaaaates Windows. How Macs helps him mock people in a childish way better than anyone else, I don't know though. primalman

  38. Think this stuff is always cool by CrypticSpawn · · Score: 1

    If they don't make it built it yourself. I saw someone do a Mac Tablet before. I wish I had the time, and desire to just spend my free time and money designing shit like that. I will just stick to the coding side of things, I'm cheap so sue me.

  39. Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by sabNetwork · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Mac OS X would be much better on a tablet than Windows.

    1. the system is designed to be used with a one-button mouse, so the "right-click dilemma" doesn't exist
    2. everything is huge-- the fonts, the icons, the buttons--and hard to miss with your pen
    3. the menus at the top of the screen would require very little precision to access

    Apple should license Mac OS X to a tablet PC manufacturer. (Producing it themselves would be too risky.

    1. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by Hatta · · Score: 1

      Mac OS X would be much better on a tablet than Windows.

      1. the system is designed to be used with a one-button mouse, so the "right-click dilemma" doesn't exist


      Come on. OS X gets around the right click dilemma by using a modifier on the keyboard. it's just as hard to ctrl-click on a tablet as it is to right-click

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
    2. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by sabNetwork · · Score: 1

      You are partially correct. It is possible for everyone to use contextual menus using control-click.

      However, Apple interface design standards ("Human Interface Guidelines") state that every operation must be possible without using contextual menus. For the most part, every application adheres to this requirement. Contextual menu commands are available in the applications menus.

    3. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by Yosho · · Score: 1

      Actually, it could be done pretty much the same way as it's handled on Macintosh keyboards -- put a little modifier button on their that changes the click to a ctrl-click when it's held down. You don't really need to use it that often, anyway.

      --
      Karma: Terrifying (mostly affected by atrocities you've committed)
    4. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by Hatta · · Score: 1

      I'm a little confused. I'm not on a mac right now, so please explain this for me. If I'm browsing the web, I can right click on a link and open it in a new window, or I can right click an image and save it to disk. If I use the application menu to select "save image as" how's it going to know which image to save?

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
    5. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by sabNetwork · · Score: 1

      It doesn't.

      To save an image, drag it to your desktop (or a folder window).

      To open a link in a new tab, drag it to the tab bar.

      To open a link in a new window, select "New Window" from the File menu and drag the link to the new window. (I admit, this is less than perfect.)
      --

    6. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by flawedgeek · · Score: 2, Informative

      Ever used a wacom tablet before? It has extra buttons on the pen, that could be used as a modifier. Think short-range wireless.

      They told me to think different, so I made a toilet seat.

      --
      My other Sig is .40 caliber.
    7. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by XnavxeMiyyep · · Score: 1

      Or you could get a mouse with a right-click.

      --
      I put the 't' in electrical engineering.
    8. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Mostly, you have to use keyboard modifiers. Option-clik saves as; command-click opens in a new window, etc. This would not work too well on a tablet, which lacks a keyboard. I think a multiple-button stylus is the most elegant solution...

    9. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by jdaily · · Score: 1

      I've noticed that while using Firefox on MacOS X that if I click on a link or image and hold the button down, I get the traditional right-click menu.

      I assume that the same would hold true using a pen on a tablet, but I don't know.

    10. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by killjoe · · Score: 1

      On the mac if you hold down the mouse button the context menu comes up.

      You don't need a right click or a keyboard click combination, just hold down the mouse button for a second.

      --
      evil is as evil does
    11. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by Jacius · · Score: 1
      I have a Graphire 2 that's a couple years old, but it looks like the current models haven't changed much. The pen has a "button" which can be rolled forward or backward to allow two extra buttons. Here's a pic to supplement my crappy descriptive skills.

      The long and the short of it is: I find it *extremely* awkward to use that button to right click. Maybe I'm holding the pen wrong, but I have to change how I'm holding it just to press the button, and I tend to press it accidently, disrupting my work. I don't even know which digit (finger/thumb, not 0/1) I'm supposed to press it with...

      I would much rather have a modifier button on the tablet itself, which I could press with my other hand, and then tap with the pen as normal to right click. Ideally, the button would be placed so that if I held the tablet like a book with my left hand, my thumb would be right next to it...

      For me, a button on the pen device is much worse than a key on the tablet.

    12. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by Moofie · · Score: 1

      The critical design difference is that you simply don't NEED the RMB to get the Mac to work. Sure, it's sometimes handy, but it's never NECESSARY.

      I can think of half a dozen things in Windows that are really hard to do without the RMB.

      --
      Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
    13. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by guet · · Score: 1

      His point is if you're using a tablet, you wouldn't have that option.

    14. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by mrchaotica · · Score: 1

      Actually, depending on the kind of pen/tablet, maybe you could...

      Left click could be when you use the writing end of the pen, right click could be when you use the opposite (erasing) end. I don't think it can be done with the kind of touchscreen he's using, though.

      --

      "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

    15. Re:Tablet + Mac OS X = WINNAR by bar-agent · · Score: 1

      This is only true of some things. It is not a feature built-in to the toolkit.

      --
      i'd hit it so hard, if you pulled me out you'd be the king of britain [bash.org]
  40. Re:I misread the title... by Laebshade · · Score: 1

    ...as "The toilet mac becomes reality". With that kind of portability I guess it's close enough, though.
    I think you meant 'portapotty'.

    *machine laughter*
    Thanks, I'll be here all day.

  41. Rehashed to the death, but.... by theolein · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I know that the idea of a tablet Mac has been discussed to death and even rebirth, it's been around so often, but the sheer amount of interest in a tablet mac, one with that special Apple touch and attention to detail garners such an enormous amount of interest every time it's mentioned that I seriously wonder why Apple hasn't decided to take a risk and Just Do It(TM).

    The fact that not only is TFA's server /.'ed, but also the mirrors and the fact that almost every second user created prototype on Mac fan sites is a tablet or PDA style device shows that the interest certainly is there. An Apple Tablet could have a design and features that would finally make the tablet concept kick off, since it's an utter niche product on the Windows side of things.

    Think about it. What could Apple do to make people want a Tablet and what would its target market be? My ideas, by no means perfect, would be:
    1. A device that is bigger than current PDA's but smaller than current Windows Tablets, i.e. somewhere around ISO A6 size, or just a bit bigger than the old Newton. This would make it easier to hold (current Tablets are too heavy and too big to hold in one hand while writing with a Pen) and at the same time have enough space for a useful interface and space to sketch on for artists.
    2.Very good handwriting recognition. This is important. I think they were getting there when they killed the Newton.
    3.An OSX variant with a simplified interface which is more geared towards using a Pen. This would mean perhaps larger controls and a Dock replacement, perhaps a sliding Dock so that necessary apps are within easy reach.
    4.A touch screen that enables users to use their fingers as well as a pen. (Therefore the larger controls)
    5.Wireless videoand audio streaming. I know Apple has been working on a protocol that is supposed to be good for video streaming. This would or could perhaps tie in with other Apple products such as the iPod and Airport Express where this Tablet could be used as a remote control. This is why being able to use it with one's fingers would be important.
    6.Other software and hardware tie ins with Apple products and software, such as the ability to use it as a monitor on movie sets with firewire or usb connectivity, or a cut down version of FCP or iMovie that allows one to cut small video clips. Perhaps a small paint application as well, or a sound editor.
    7.It should be shipped with applications that leverage the platform such as a simple sketching application for students and artists, a Apple writing application that makes taking notes as easy or easier than WinXP TE's note taker. Perhaps make the sharing of sketches and notes and media simple via Rendezvous.
    8.Apple should make Frameworks for this OS variant available in XCode in order to allow developers to come up with nifty applications as they have for the classic OSX. Java should be included as well to make it interesting for current mobile developers.
    9.The target market would be students for artwork and note taking, home consumers for its tie in with Airport Express and iTunes and the iPod, industrial users for use as a digital notepad and checklist, and enterprise users for its note taking and sketching abilities and the ability to make presentations.

    This is all a wet dream of course, but I think I'm not alone in wishing for a Tablet with that special Apple touch.

    1. Re:Rehashed to the death, but.... by CrackedButter · · Score: 1

      You are not the only one, as a graphic designer, I would love one of these, in the mean time I'll just use a WACOM tablet ;).

    2. Re:Rehashed to the death, but.... by Bodhammer · · Score: 1
      Take:


      1 Newton 2100 for HWR Quality:


      2 CompactFlash slots for Music and Storage (microdrives must be supported):



      1 Zaurus SL-C3000 (http://www.dynamism.com/sl-c3000/) for form factor, bright touchscreen display, keyboard, NetBSD/FreeBsd/OsX (or linux) :



      add Ethernet, and 802.11b/g, USB 2.0:



      Full day battery(8 hrs) battery life with user replacable, standard AA NiMH batteries :



      Support, source code, and a vendor supported dev. community:



      Stir Vigoriously, pour into a sub $600 package:



      Sell hundreds of thousands of units!!!:


      --
      "I say we take off, nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
    3. Re:Rehashed to the death, but.... by JamieF · · Score: 4, Insightful

      There's a big difference between attention and sales. Lots of people want all kinds of mutated Macs - dual-G5 powerbooks, tablets, a new Cube, you name it, somebody has a concept sketch and is convinced that if Apple spent a ton on R&D and made them, they'd sell at least one.

      If Apple made a turd-shaped Mac, a few people would buy it, and 1000 stories would talk about it, and everybody would clobber any web site that broke the story by going there all at once.

      That doesn't mean that a turd-shaped Mac would make Apple any money.

    4. Re:Rehashed to the death, but.... by flawedgeek · · Score: 1

      I really don't think that good handwriting recognition software could be developed en masse. Everybody's handwriting's different.

      --
      My other Sig is .40 caliber.
    5. Re:Rehashed to the death, but.... by Narphorium · · Score: 1


      Last I heard, the turd-shaped mac was doing pretty well. =P

    6. Re:Rehashed to the death, but.... by nuggetman · · Score: 1

      That doesn't mean that a turd-shaped Mac would make Apple any money.

      what about a giant douche shaped mac?

      --
      ...and that's all there is to it.
    7. Re:Rehashed to the death, but.... by otuz · · Score: 1

      THAT's why it has to be good.

    8. Re:Rehashed to the death, but.... by Johnny+Mnemonic · · Score: 1


      Sure, that'd be great and all. But what killed the Newton was price. So you have to ask yourself, and I'm sure Apple has asked themselves: could we build a tablet with all these features, but at a price point people would buy? And if the answer is "no", then it's really just a waste of time, waste of lots of money, and waste of credibility.

      How many people would buy an Apple iTablet at $5K/unit? Probably not enough to recoup development costs, just like with the Newton.

      --

      --
      $tar -xvf .sig.tar
  42. Re:Reality of using Thought Recognition for Input by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If Thought Recognition becomes reality, here's a typical print out:

    printf("%d
    I'd better check slashdot
    Oops, erase last sentence
    Now where was I
    Erase last sentence
    %s, __LINE__, __FILE);
    "But don't tell my heart My achy breaky heart"
    Hey who started playing that crap!
    (Disconnect and punch looser in the nose)
    (Reconnect)
    Erase everyhing up to ;
    if (want_continue) {
    "And if you tell my heart My achy breaky heart"
    Shit, that song is in my head. Get the Hell Out!
    Erase everyhing up to {
    "He might blow up and kill this man"
    Sounds like a good idea. I'm not getting any work done. Where's my keyboard?

  43. Re:Mac is being held down by Republicans by macmurph · · Score: 1

    I hate to break it to you guys, but George W Bush is a dumbass... he ain't so tech savvy if you knows what I mean.

    Yes Circumcision should be outlawed. Thanks for stepping up to say something about it.

  44. Re:Mac is being held down by Republicans by jcr · · Score: 1

    Hey mods, I'm pretty sure this guy was trying to get modded "funny".

    -jcr

    --
    The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
  45. Re:Mac is being held down by Republicans by bach37 · · Score: 1

    Yeah wtf! That interview makes him seem all tech-savy.
    Could almost be another one of "them rumors going around on the InternetS..."

  46. RE: field inspections by King_TJ · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Yeah... but as someone who worked in I.T. in a factory environment before, I've seen the way most portables (and even PDAs) get treated by most "field inspectors" and the like.

    They're dirty, beat-up and left sitting in rather harsh environments on a regular basis.

    Perhaps that's the real reason Apple hasn't been thrilled to build a pen-based tablet computer. They're all about elegance and building a machine a user can really be proud to own, and will take exceptionally good care of.

    (Don't believe me? Why would their favorite system design colors be snow white and easily scratched/smudged aluminum?) I love my new Powerbook, but it'd literally get dented up and badly oxidized in days, in some of work environments I saw inspectors using their black plastic Dell laptops in where I used to work.

  47. MacMod being down by oojacoboo · · Score: 1

    Yes, it is true, macmod has definitely been slashdotted. While this is a great thing for us, I would really like the server to be up. There are a number of other great mods on the site as well. I am working to see if I can get just that article up for now to decrease other traffic. But, I guess I will just have to wait until the traffic dies down a little :) Anyway, everyone be sure and check out the site again later on.

    1. Re:MacMod being down by TubeSteak · · Score: 2, Informative
      you can append ".nyud.net:8090" to macmod.com and mirror the image content yourself. When the traffic dies down, switch the links back to normal.

      http://www.macmod.com.nyud.net:8090/Limages/storie s/mods/i-Tablet%20_Images_7total/20041006--001016. jpg

      --
      [Fuck Beta]
      o0t!
  48. Re:I misread the title... by photoworkplace · · Score: 1

    I am embarrassed to say that yes it does get a good amount of use in there

  49. Unique? It's impressive but for Apple, not new by daquake · · Score: 1

    This was performed (not to this great an extent I admit) back in 2001/2002. I would post more details in comparison but we seem to have /.'d the macmod site and Google's Cache is having issues...

    The link

    Be True, Unbeliever

    --
    Be True, Unbeliever
    1. Re:Unique? It's impressive but for Apple, not new by daquake · · Score: 1

      Bah, Too early to be posting on a Sunday, here's the other URL direct to more inf oand pics of the 2002 Clamshell iBook.

      The Link(TM)

      --
      Be True, Unbeliever
  50. If I would have done all that work... by Myuu · · Score: 3, Funny

    I would have first sumbitted all my picture to the rumor sites and said it was a new model for MW in January, just to drive the fanboys nuts.

    --

    forget it.
  51. ok fixed....? by oojacoboo · · Score: 1

    ok, maybe that will help. The page was used as the site default. Should help with B.! Check it out now.

    1. Re:ok fixed....? by photoworkplace · · Score: 1

      Jacob I am really sorry for all the trouble, who would of thunk! You know I do have some designs for a convertable with no permenant modifications needed for the case. Don't know if this would count as a Mod or an accessory What do you think?

  52. Re:Look at the new iMac. Look at a tablet. See the by photoworkplace · · Score: 1

    I was able to fit everything I needed with out to much problem Dual internal hard drives Flash card reader Bluetooth WiFi CD Burner 3 Firewire ports Not every application calls for a G5

  53. Neat hack but... by MoronGames · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    It's a neat hack but look at it! It's ugly! There's a big black thing going over the top. Anyone who thinks this has been "properly engineering it all into an Ives-worthy design" has got a screw loose.

    --
    hey!
    1. Re:Neat hack but... by MyThoughts · · Score: 1

      Hint: that's a screen cover.

      --
      It's my thoughts. So let them be.
    2. Re:Neat hack but... by HybridJeff · · Score: 1

      THe big black thing is just a leather screen protector by the looks of it. If you think its that ugly (which I dont) you could always just remove it completly, or replace it with one thats a different color (say white to match the device itself).

  54. ugly? by oojacoboo · · Score: 2, Interesting

    that black thing is a cover and puts the system to sleep when it is closed! and it opens up and is used as a stand! Its perfect, what are you talkng about?

  55. Re: field inspections by Fallen_Knight · · Score: 1

    Sadly that seems to be the case. Any portable device should beable to take a beating.

    I own a canon 10d dSLR, uses a Magnesium alloy that has yet to scratch, dent, or show a mark in the year i've had it. Heavy use, don't baby it, use it in the pouring rain, hikes, climbs, everywhere and it never misses a shot.

    Now why can't they build a powerbook like that!

  56. Re:Look at the new iMac. Look at a tablet. See the by chialea · · Score: 1

    When I worked there a few years ago, there were more tablet-based installations than I saw today (stuck onto walls around CSL, mainly). Ubiquitous computing seems more focused on adding cool functionality to things you already have, making them work together and talk to each other. I'm not saying they might not use them, but it doesn't seem to be the primary focus.

    Lea

  57. Other Mod Request by ari_j · · Score: 1

    Has anyone done a TrackPoint/NippleStick/eClit hack for the iBook or Powerbook? I really want one but I absolutely despise the carpal-tunnel-inducing pointing device that Apple insists on providing.

    1. Re:Other Mod Request by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I've had more many more pains in my wrists using trackpoints than I ever had using a trackpad on a Mac... Mind you, if you've only ever tried trackpads on PCs, you should try a powerbook... they have quite a different feel to them. I think it has something to do with the drivers and acceleration settings of the mouse pointer...

      But I still really miss my PowerBook 150's trackball - built into the machine! :D

    2. Re:Other Mod Request by Macgrrl · · Score: 1

      But I still really miss my PowerBook 150's trackball - built into the machine! :D

      That particular version of the PB trackball assembly used to have a problem with the plastic welds coming apart. I don't want to think about how many of those suckers I've had to araldite back together again...

      --
      Sara
      Designer, Gamer, Macgrrl in an XP World
  58. Tablet? by nbohemen · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Tablet? Is a Powermac G5 with a cinemadisplay duct taped on the side also a tablet?

    1. Re:Tablet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Certainly is.

      "Say hello to iTablet. 1,000,000,000,000 commandments under your arm" - Moses

      "There I was writing some new Life code, and suddenly 'beep beep beep!' and there it was - gone! Then I switched to an iTablet - job done!" - Anonymous Deity

      "You insensitive clod!" - Job

  59. Re:Look at the new iMac. Look at a tablet. See the by MmmDee · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I can see the usefulness of a tablet PC in a medical clinic setting when a healthcare provider is interviewing a patient. As it is now, it's common to have a desktop in the examination room to lookup test results. It would be nice to have something more portable with existing capabilities (ie, wireless) and an application (and some clinics do) where you would have a checklist (at a bare minimum) of items to mark yes/no during the patient's history taking. The current hardware doesn't seem to be portable/rugged/usable enough just yet. PDA's (mostly Palm-based around here) are everywhere now, but not tablet computers.

    --
    No man's an island, unless he's had too much to drink and wets the bed.
  60. hype. by twitter · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    Yeah, yeah, it's been done before but not as beautifully. The author drools over M$ tablets. Gnome Palmtop Environment has all of the things he mentions going for it. For all of his gushing and whining, you wonder why he did not just load a tablet with GPE so that he could have the "choice" he begs Jobs for. Other than sounding like an advert for M$, the man has made himself a beautiful tool.

    ... this just is a matter of having vision and a willingness to show people that things can be done differently. We do have to give Microsoft credit for making that effort. Their website makes information available for teachers who want to integrate Tablets into the classroom. I know we all like to bash Windows (and for many good reasons) but let us look objectively and give credit for what has been done well. I for one am praying that Tiger will correct some of the printing problems. Better support for EXIF info and sorting at the OS level would also be greatly appreciated. In all honesty, doesn't it seem that Apple should have been at the forefront of this? Isn't it time that Apple offers something to give us a choice? I know they say that the person who is at the cutting edge usually has bloody fingers, but PLEASE Mr. Jobs! We're all waiting...

    What a crock of poorly written horse shit. "I for one", "in all honesty", "let us look objectively", give me a break. Who's not being objective? Why does he have to tell me he's being honest this time? It sounds all so familiar, as if made by the Apple Switcher PR firm. The Newton and Palm were way out in front of Mickey$oft on this and tablets weighted down with winblows are worthless, despite Mr. Gate's page trying to sell them to teachers as a paper / chalkboard substitute.

    Nifty tool yes. A revolution that "a technology that will change how teachers interact with students how artists interact with their canvases, how people will communicate with each other?" I doubt it.

    --

    Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.

    1. Re:hype. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Moderators: Please note that "twitter" is a known fanatical sycophant whose obnoxious offtopic rants are legend here on Slashdot. It doesn't matter what the topic is, he'll find a way to scrape in some pointless Microsoft bashing. While nobody expects us to love Microsoft in any way, his particularly tepid style of calling anyone he replies to "troll" or "liar" or "fanboy" because he happens to disagree with whatever they're saying is well documented and should not be rewarded. If anything, twitter is the type of person that should not be part of the open source/free software community. He is an anathema to all that is good about free software.

      I'm posting this so that you (the moderator) have some context to consider twitter and not mod him up whenever he posts his filler preformatted rants about installing Knoppix or Mepis or whatever that unfortunately get him karma every single time and allow him to continue posting his trademark toxic crap (read on) day in and day out. You may consider this a troll - I consider it community service. And I ain't kidding.

      If you're a /. subscriber, I invite you to look through some of his posting history. I guarantee that you'll be hard pressed to find someone that is more "out there" than twitter. You'll also probably notice he's got quite an AC following. Don't just read his posts, make sure you go through the replies.

      To get an idea of what I'm talking about, check this post out. This is an article about email disclaimers. The parent of the post is complaining about the ads in the linked page and so on, and twitter actually goes off on a rant to blame it on Microsoft and recommend Lynx, because "is teh free".

      Here's another. In this post twitter not only calls the OP a troll but attempts to "tell it like it is" while making some vague argument about "GNU". Yes, if you're confused, you're not alone. The reply (modded +4) proceeds to simply destroy his bogus argument. You will notice he did not reply. This is what some people call "drive-by advocacy". A sort of I'll just leave you with my thoughts here and move on to the next flamebait kind of deal. In fact, he almost never replies because he knows that his fanatical arguments simply do not hold up to any sort of discussion. It's not that he's chosen the wrong cause - he's just going at it in a completely wrong way.

      Here's that drive-by advocacy and FUD in motion: twitter goes on about some topic and then drops the usual "oh and M$ is teh evil" because "WMP phones home" or some such. Called on his FUD, he then claims that WMP stores every song and movie you've ever played in a file, somewhere. Pressed further, he just sort of slithers out of sight, his FUD-spreading complete. This is not about some Microsoft technology that nobody likes anyway; it's about lying for the sake of lying. Way too many of his posts are exactly like this one.

      More? Just read though this post and the subsequent replies. I guess this stands on its own. Or these two. Or this one. Or this one.

      Still not convinced? This is what twitter considers "humour" while going about his daily "M$" routine.

      M

  61. Re:I misread the title... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The site is macmod ... not maccommode

  62. Apple will never release a Tablet Mac by melted · · Score: 3, Interesting

    That would be, ahem, _copying_ innovations from Redmond (and don't start the usual BS about Newton, notice that _Tablet_ PC has a _tablet_, not a touch screen). And it's morally hard to copy your competitor's innovations when you blast them at every trade show for copying your own. So mark my word, there will never be a Tablet Mac, except if Tablet PCs become a wild, raging commercial success that's too tough even for Jobs to ignore.

    1. Re:Apple will never release a Tablet Mac by OmniVector · · Score: 1

      well the thing is.. tablets aren't a success. this is why apple has stayed away from them. a niche computer for a niche platform does not equal profit.

      --
      - tristan
    2. Re:Apple will never release a Tablet Mac by cuyler · · Score: 1

      Not true.

      When Apple added fast user switching Steve said that the fast user switching was one thing that the boys in Redmond had done first, but Apple was about to do it better.

      So, they aren't beyond copying a good idea.

  63. Re:Rehashed to the death, but....Big Bad M$ by xtermin8 · · Score: 1

    I think there's more probably noncompetitive agreement issues with Microsoft, (and possibly others...Wacom maybe?) that are stopping Apple. Mac Tablets clearly would have a market- the problem is that M$, as usual, has bullied its way into the market- and Apple has reason to fear treading on their toes.

  64. Re:M$ has staked their claim by xtermin8 · · Score: 1

    It's sad that someone who flamed previous post has been modded as insightful. The fact is that Microsoft has claimed the tablet turf- It would have been nice to see Palm OS devices move in this direction also, but Gates has been chasing this market for a long time, and M$ is not going to let go easily.

  65. It's been a pleasure by photoworkplace · · Score: 3, Interesting

    My first goal was to build a "Tool" that would do what "I" needed, and it has served me well, yes it is a bit thicker than I would like, but I can still not find a Tablet Slate out there that has a Flash Card reader and is able to burn CDs. Both of these things are important for what I do being a Wedding Photographer and teacher. I am looking to update the original post at MocMod with detailed photos of the work as it was in progress. Secondly, and maybe more importantly was the goal to get Mr. Job's attention, although he has not gotten in touch with me yet, I have not given up hope. Why do I want his attention? What would I say anyway? The same thing I had said in a letter 13 years ago to Mr Kaplan at The Go corporation (the people who brought you PenPoint) you might not even remember them, but it was a beautiful idea. At any rate I went on about how the Technological revolution was leaving some people out and how their design idea would open up the possibilities to have varied groups of people (who are too often disenfranchised) join into the conversation. All of you people are the "more" some of you are the "different" there have been many great strides made in these 13 years, but I am still waiting, because "I THINK MORE CAN STILL BE DONE". I am a faithful person I say Thank God I have been able to do what I have done so far. I was unable to speak intelligibly until I was 5 years old, my parents had been told that I was "mildly retarded", but I am faithful that Miracles happen and that things can change. I would like to see more people have the opportunities to change their lives due to the technology that is available to them. Thank you all and God Bless Joseph DeRuvo Jr.

  66. This would never catch on... by Inconnux · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    This would never work, it's not pretty enough for the mac community... but why would anyone want it? it's still a mac

  67. It's back up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They changed the homepage of macmod to be a static version of the article, and that seems to be holding up pretty well (text and images).

  68. Yea, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    when will we players get a mac daddy...

  69. well... by catdevnull · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...kinda cool. But I certainly wouldn't do it with a Mac under warranty. I'd wait for a 3 yr old iBook to play with it first. Then again, I'm not so good with modding electronics. Ask my dad about the "time machine" I made with our family TV.

    --

    I might know what I'm talkin' about, but then again, this is Slashdot...
  70. Sell it to test the market by ehack · · Score: 1

    A lot of digital photographers could afford to test something like this in their workflow - why not have trolltech or another modder sell it and see what happens ?

    --
    This is not a signature.
    1. Re:Sell it to test the market by photoworkplace · · Score: 1

      Look that would be great I'm sitting on top a different idea that would work for Power Books. The problem is that they are just designs, nothing patentable, and I don't really have the connections or money to start up full scale manufacturing. I have talked to TrollTouch, and Wacom, the fact is I'm not on salary to them, they can turn around and come out with whatever they want, those are the chances I take. This is nothing new for us we've been here before. My wife always says it would be cheaper if they just steal the idea from us and we could then go down to the store and buy it, with a warranty even.

    2. Re:Sell it to test the market by ehack · · Score: 1

      Joseph, Apple only brought out the original portable after a couple of firms made a decent living selling re-cased Mac SEs with LCD screens for a year or so. At which point those companies disappeared. I would see this as an ideal situation for a modder,but not for a *real* company like Wacom who have a real cashflow.

      One thing that might be interesting, strangely enough, might be a PC design that would provide a beefed-up tablet with interchangeable pieces for photographers in the field. You might take this up with the nice people in Taiwan, they seem to find it easier to manufacture than to design.

      I don't think that your mod is ncessarily the *right* one for a larger audience - but you could certainly use it to launch yourself.

      To me it remains a mystery why the tablet space remains so empty - are people afraid that M$ will Penpoint them, or what ?

      --
      This is not a signature.
  71. Unorganized Dyslexic? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I am sick and tired of articles written by morons for morons. Either shape up Slash Dot or close it down and go back to Trailer Park Hootenanny Entertainment.

    I vomit on you.

  72. Reality (was Re:hype.) by WillAdams · · Score: 1

    I'm not finding an equivalent in Linux to the following tools which I find invaluable on my Fujitstu Stylistic:

    - FutureWave SmartSketch --- a drawing program designed for use on a pen tablet (later it morphed into Flash, was acquired by Macromedia and some aspects of it appeared in Freehand)

    - Ambient Design's ArtRage --- natural media painting / sketching program, again, w/ a unique UI oriented towards tablet use

    - Creaturehouse Expression --- a vector drawing program which is able to use a stroke as the basis for the placement of an object (imagine drawing one flower, then creating an entire gardern with successive strokes wherein each flower is slightly different)

    - Phatware's PenOfice --- this has as its basis the Calligrapher recognizer which was used in my Newton MP 100 --- coupling it with Phatpad one has a decent note-taking tool which supports deferred ink recognition and shape recognition

    - Adobe Acrobat's annotation capabilities --- it's a lot easier marking up a .pdf w/ a pen than using a mouse --- this could be a lot better if Adobe would support the concept of ``ink'' for this.

    The most interesting things happening for pen interfaces on Linux are in Java, things like Denim / Satin from Berkeley's GUIR or DigitalNote or Jarnal, but I'm not seeing anything for ink as digital ink w/ deferred handwriting recognition and shape recognition --- I'd be glad to be proven wrong though.

    William
    (who has wanted a pen slate since reading Niven & Pournell's _The Mote in God's Eye_ back when it first came out)

    --
    Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow.
    1. Re:Reality (was Re:hype.) by twitter · · Score: 1
      The most interesting things happening for pen interfaces on Linux are in Java, things like Denim / Satin from Berkeley's GUIR or DigitalNote or Jarnal, but I'm not seeing anything for ink as digital ink w/ deferred handwriting recognition and shape recognition --

      GPE's hadwriting recognition may interest you. You might also look into open slate.

      --

      Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.

    2. Re:Reality (was Re:hype.) by WillAdams · · Score: 1

      ?!?

      Where is this?

      Looking up ``gnome pen environment handwriting recognition'' takes one to a link http://www.aloha.com/~knowtree/links.html

      which has links for xscribble and some research projects --- nothing which I'd recognize as handwriting recognition with deferred option and the ability to draw w/ shape recognition --- is there somewhere else I ought to be looking?

      Open slate has a tool which wants one to insert an image from GIMP?!?

      William

      --
      Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow.
  73. Here's what I say by xactuary · · Score: 2, Funny

    Thinking of just sawing the stand off my 17" iMac G5 and making it touch screeny... Voila!

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    Say hello to my little sig.
  74. Toshiba quality ??? by xdesk · · Score: 1

    While the quality of the low-end models from all notebook makers is not very high, I was actually speaking about a Toshiba TabletPC like the M200/205, which most people see as quite good!

  75. Stronger! Faster! by kuzb · · Score: 1
    ...he's completely engineered a new kind of mac portable...

    Now flies 45% farther with the same velocity applied to previous powerbooks! Truly a breakthrough!

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    BeauHD. Worst editor since kdawson.
  76. Re:Route 66 by Kalewa · · Score: 1

    I agree about the speech thing. I've found Route 66 to be incredibly crummy program in general though. It has been unable to find addresses on several occasions (when other software could), and the interface is horrible. I've actually started using Microsoft MapPoint on a Virtual PC (which has several great plugins, including a turn-by-turn voice direction one. It's too bad - one of my major reservations about getting a Mac was the lack of mapping/navigation software. Seems it was justified.

  77. in the middle of my fourth failure right now. by Unknown+Poltroon · · Score: 0, Troll

    If it dies again, theyll replace it or im going to the better busisness folks and whatnot. enough is enough.

    --
    All Troll + "offtopic" mods are meta moderated as "Unfair", because you abused the system.
    1. Re:in the middle of my fourth failure right now. by FuzzieNorn · · Score: 1

      AppleCare policy is that four 'major component failures' are required before they'll replace it, apparently, so you should be fine.

    2. Re:in the middle of my fourth failure right now. by zefram+cochrane · · Score: 1

      Unfortunately that doesn't help those of us that have machines that are long past their Apple Care.

  78. Landscape or Portrait by wwwillem · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm not super familiar with OS-X, but IMHO essential for the use as a tablet, does OS-X allow you to switch to portrait mode?

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    Browsers shouldn't have a back button!! It's all about going forward...
  79. Re:Mac is being held down by Republicans by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Im curious, by saying internetS isn't he technically correct? I mean, there are various global networks, which are not all connected. Ie: Internet2 etc.

  80. Epson Printers by Circuitsoft · · Score: 1

    You complain about the printing quality with Epson printers. Have you tried the GIMP-Print Drivers for OSX? http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php3

    1. Re:Epson Printers by photoworkplace · · Score: 1

      Not as of yet Although I have looked into it The kind of problems I'm talking about are the way the Print Manager works Or, how settings in the print window don't seem to stick, Stuff like that. For all of my final printing I go through ColorByte's ImagePrint, which is phenomenal.

  81. Apple's Tablet strategy by Lihtan · · Score: 1

    We all know that Steve Jobs killing the Newton was a stupid business decision. I'm sure he hates being reminded of it now as Tablets are catching on. If you guys ever wanna see a MacTablet, quit rubbing it in the guy's face and give him a break.
    If Apple does choose to release a Tablet computer, I wouldn't be surprised if they decide to test the waters of Tablet computing by releasing an iBook or Powerbook with a reversible screen. It would allow Apple portables to function like Tablets, but retain enough notebook form factor so Jobs wouldn't have to admit he was wrong.

    --
    Divide by zero hurts my brain.
  82. So could he sell this? by inkswamp · · Score: 2, Interesting
    I wonder what the legality is of this guy starting up a small business to mod iBooks this way and resell them?

    --
    --Rick "If it isn't broken, take it apart and find out why."
    1. Re:So could he sell this? by adavies42 · · Score: 1

      I dunno these days, but the first Mac laptops were after-market mods of a Mac Plus, way back in about '87. Also, I think Marathon Computers at one point was selling modded rack-mountable Macs, before the XServe came out.

      --
      Media that can be recorded and distributed can be recorded and distributed.
      -kfg
  83. Re:Faking it by boots@work · · Score: 1

    I thought he was a dyslexic and goatographer.

  84. I really believe they will be a success by melted · · Score: 1

    Technologically, they are a success. Everyone I know who owns one is happy about their Tablet. Tablets are a huge flop as far as marketing is concerned. They deserve 10 times stronger marketing push than what they're getting. It truly is one of the most significant UI innovations to hit the market since mouse.

    Sad thing is, if Apple released the very same technology in lickable white design everyone would be raving about tablets like there's no tomorrow. Why? Because Apple knows how to appeal to the irrational and subconscious. Would you say it's rational to pay $600 for the latest iPod? No I don't think it is. A friend of mine is considering buying a dual proc G5. When I asked why is iMac not good enough, he could not answer rationally. See it's all about polished aluminum and perforated front panel, $2K+ of extra expense seems insignificant.

  85. Re: field inspections by capmilk · · Score: 1

    Apple *did* build powerbooks like that. Those heavy Wallstreet things were pretty tough, and the first generation of iBooks (with the toilet seat design) were nearly indestructable. I guess they didn't sell as expected. White iBooks do.

  86. Re:Mac is being held down by Republicans by MegaHyster · · Score: 1

    But he admits that. He might even be using AOL, all he does is check his email, and go to his site(and of course weather.com).

    --
    All good things...
  87. doh! by PDubNYC · · Score: 1

    Nothing like acting like a know-it-all and promptly being put in your place, huh? Ha-Ha

    Constantly misquoted, i love it....

  88. One Word Response by simpl3x · · Score: 1

    Voyager.

  89. reminds me of my old job... uh,.. ibook tablet pc by y8s · · Score: 1

    http://www.moto.com/portfolio/projects/projects_sa mple_9.html

    We hacked, cut, flipped the monitor, installed a touchscreen, etc etc for a company that makes computers for disabled people. They dont sell that particular model anymore, but it was a fun project and pretty slick. Had lots of software for people with poor motor or speaking skills. Software keyboard and of course USB/firewire so you could just plug in anything you wanted. Also came wired for use with the airport. What more could you want?

    http://www.assistivetech.com/

    Matt

  90. Hmmm... by iBod · · Score: 1

    Hey! Hello BigBird3d!

    I note that you're the one and only entry on my 'Freaks' list.

    Ok. So, what the fuck did I do?

    BTW if you throw your iBook across the room and then bitch and moan that it's "flaky", and you act all surprised, then you're an even more stupid fuck than I thought you were.

    Yours sincerely

    iBod

    1. Re:Hmmm... by BigBir3d · · Score: 1

      No idea on the 'Freaks' list thing. I have not edited that stuff in ages.

      As to the iBook, I said it was a robust design. If I threw a Dell or HP laptop that far it would have shattered into bits. My statement was intended as a compliment. To the 'flaky' nature... that is directly attributable to my anger and than attempts to repair it.

      Sincerely,
      BigBir3d (iPC over on MacRumors)

  91. Re:reminds me of my old job... uh,.. ibook tablet by photoworkplace · · Score: 1

    MOTO is a very cool looking place Do you still work there. I don't want to be picky but, The ability to burn CD Flash card reader built in 2 internal hard drives for redundancy No really what you guys did really was pretty.

  92. Re:reminds me of my old job... uh,.. ibook tablet by y8s · · Score: 1

    Keep in mind this was 4 years ago... those things, while nice, were outside the scope and cost target of the project. And does this guy's lappy have a connector for a chin-actuated wheel-chair control? I dont think so! heh.

    "Pretty", definitely.

  93. Re:reminds me of my old job... uh,.. ibook tablet by photoworkplace · · Score: 1

    OK you win

  94. Re:reminds me of my old job... uh,.. ibook tablet by y8s · · Score: 1

    that was too easy. i think the best part of this thing though was that you could do the whole "stephen hawking" thing.. it had this cool software written by assistive tech that formed sentences with a few quick button presses. granted they were all gradeschool level grammar and vocab but it was still fun! hours of laughs at the ol office.