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Linux MPX Multi-touch Alternative to MS Surface
An anonymous reader writes "Gizmodo has published an article (with video) on the Linux-based free alternative to MS Surface along with a quite interesting interview with its creator, Peter Hutterer.
"It may not be as fancy-schmancy as Microsoft Surface or Jeff Han's demos but this video of a Linux-based MPX multi-touch table shows that things are moving full speed ahead in the land of the free penguins. We talked with developer Peter Hutterer, who gave us his insight on the project, the iPhone and the ongoing multi-touch craze."
He talks about Jeff Han's work, MS Surface and defines the iPhone as "not the first in what it's doing, but definitely a huge impact" in the field."
To be honest I use the multitouch trackpad on my Macbookpro all of the time. Two finger tap for right click, two finger drag for scrolling with the usual single finger tap for left click and single finger drag for normal drag. Multitouch in a small sense is something that I miss when I go to another laptop because I instinctively two finger tap trackpads to try to right click. No need to scroll in a special part of the track pad, no need to press a special part for left and right click. Just the gesture anywhere on the trackpad. Thats multitouch for me in action and working.
I always wondered where this setting was...
Build your own multi-touch sensitive display device? It's surprisingly easy:
A LLSTEPS
http://www.instructables.com/id/EJIXKOEF3ER7VN5/?
Limina.Log
I felt it would have been better had they used an actual flat-screen touch monitor. The shadows from the projector kinda killed it. Put a decent touch-screen monitor down there and we may have something.
Also, I don't think it would have taken much to add Beryl for that extra bling that MS can't offer.
There is no "I disagree" mod for a reason. Flamebait, Troll, and Overrated are not substitutes.
Gizmodo defiantly does not represent the community. Once I saw them call themselves the slashdot for people who actually have touched a woman or something like that. It's basically a "oohhh shiny gadget" blog. I wouldn't be surprised if I saw a post about "this sick new phone, brah" or about "a totally kickin' HDTV." That blog is seriously mind numbing and the last place I'd go for linux news.
That being said I agree that linux should accept what it is. You can argue all you want about better or worse than windows, but its just a different animal and both serve their purpose. I dual boot and both OS's have their draw for me. I end up spending more time using linux and like it a lot more, but you won't catch me going linux only anytime soon.
Maybe it's just me, but I'm not seeing any widespread practical use for this critter outside of some extreme niches (e.g. kiosk or limited industrial or medical machine interfaces).
Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
You know, Microsoft didn't invent this multi-touch stuff, and neither did Apple. Its been around as research projects for years. So why is the MS version such a big deal?
Software!
See, the real hard part about all this is the fact that you need to come up with a completely new set of UI conventions and implement a completely new set of applications in order to make it a useable product. Until now with MS, nobody's done that.
From the article, this MPX thing seems to consist of nothing more than a modified X server, running "normal" (i.e., designed for a single cursor) applications. Therefore, it is not nearly as impressive as the MS Surface.
"[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz
Hmmm, over 5 years? OK so you try to make a point while knowing the facts on only one side. You're obviously spreading a little FUD by making readers assume microsoft through this idea together recently, although they started working on it in 2001. While, according to your statements at least, they had an already finished product by then, then microsoft may be implementing their own vision of this product. However, why should microsoft be excluded from making a product. What do you mean by original, something noone has ever thought of? I didn't see anything about device recognition in your link, while moving data from digital cameras or laptops. That seems different, or is their a device that already does that? Either way- if it ends up to be a better product it will be worth microsofts investment. Otherwise, its their money spent anyways, you don't have to buy it- buy the diamond touch if its better.
is that you're hunched over them. If used for extended periods of time, the result is terrible back problems.