Slashdot Mirror
Windows 7 Touchscreen Details Emerging
nandemoari writes "Microsoft has revealed more about Windows 7 and its support for touch screen technology. The system sounds impressive, however, reports suggest it appears to have a high error rate. In an early version of the system, Microsoft found some problems. For example, both the zoom and rotate functions worked less than 75% of the time, often because the computer confused the two. To rectify this, engineers redesigned the system so that it only looks out for gestures specifically relevant to the program being used. This made a significant improvement: the zoom gesture was now recognized 90% of the time.
The problem is that even a 90% success rate may be too low. If you can imagine how frustrating it would be if one in ten keystrokes or mouse movements didn't do what you intended, you can see why touch screen technology will need to be even more reliable if it's to truly improve the user experience. PC Authority has a related story about statements from HP, who don't expect such technology to replace keyboards and mice any time soon."
I mean, letting everyone think it was a touch screen, when in reality it uses several cameras down below the glass to track motion
Yeah, it's like letting everyone think your latest electric car has an engine, when in reality it uses short-range teleportation.
A story about touch screens that doesn't say they cure cancer and solve world hunger?
What is this site, and where is the real slashdot?
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Why should this be different from any other Microsoft product?
.o q q o ss uoo nq 'ooz o usno s1qod u buou ou , pu 'ou 7 sopu o q busn ,
But Microsoft can fix this easily.
When you touch the screen and it's not clear what you want, an animated character can pop up and say "Hi! It looks like you're trying to rotate the screen image!" and coach you on how to bend your fingers into the right position to meet the software's expectations.
To prevent errors, when you're done, a dialog box can pop up saying "Do you really want to rotate the screen image? Allow/deny." Then there will be no errors... or any errors that do occur can be blamed on the user.
And, of course, there can be a Screen Rotation Wizard to give you a simple six-screen walkthrough, and context-sensitive Help available simply by tapping your ring finger in the northeast quadrant of the screen while you're making your gesture.
The Microsoft Way is that the computer should control the user, not the other way around. Once the touchscreen programmers absorb this fundamental principal, all their problems can be easily solved.
"How to Do Nothing," kids activities, back in print!
Porn!!!
Yeah, that table was brilliant. Microsoft launches furniture that crashes.
I look forward to Microsoft's vision of the Digital Home. Imagine your television, your refrigerator, your gas boiler, all running Windows Vista^W7. What could possibly go wrong?
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What the hell are "primate peoples"?
I am quite sure that he meant primitive people; basically Window users.
I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
Speaking as a primate, I found the interface quite simple.
I am TheRaven on Soylent News
"even primate peoples who have been shown the device could operate it"
MODERATORS: How can a statement be "informative" if there is no indication of any kind that what is being said can be verified?
Ignoring the bizarre idea of "primate peoples" (WTF??), we need to have a special tag on /. for when this happens:
Well. Actually, the non-human primate, the bonobo, has been filmed playing Pacman (with considerable skill I would say) out of curiosity. This starts from 15:51. Before that, the bonobos do less important things like light fires and such (although they cheat and use a lighter). It's not much of a stretch to imagine them using a touchscreen.
Plus, in these hard economic times it's conceivable that Microsoft just substituted bonobos for testers, due to the fact that bonobos don't require payment for their efforts. And, since I've never seen what goes on in Microsoft research, you've probably never seen what goes on, and neither of us is likely to take the time to find out (this being /.), who's to say they don't use bonobos right now?
It's hot in my room and I have to open my window you insensitive clod!