Windows 7 Touch demo shows no soul

Tin (Senior Forumologist):

Apple's almost certain to include multitouch stuff in ANY touch product they release. They have patents on the topic, don't they?

I doubt MS will include anything "cool" in the touch arena in Windows 7. In fact, most of what they've been promoting was available in Vista, but basically ignored. It's more the touch panels are now becoming more commercially viable.

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Tin:
It's more the touch panels are now becoming more commercially viable.

commercially viable is one thing, but just like supply of air it's useless commercially until you find a market. I've heard one viable case for use by the handicapped, but for mass market consumption once the gee-whiz is over what does touch offer?

I work with systems where this technology delivers dividends but that is not mainstream computing via bloated OS's

Tin (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Raindog:
but for mass market consumption once the gee-whiz is over what does touch offer?


Nothing of course. You only have to walk into Hardley Normal, etc and try one of the touch based HP desktops as you would at home, and suddenly you feel kind of limited by it.

I was just saying it's cheap enough that manufacturers can use it as a gimmick, and MS is helping them by including support in all versions of Windows instead of just a higher priced "addon" version.

TV Bis (User):

Let's be truthful here. It doesn’t matter what Microsoft adds it's never going to be good enough for you guys. It's quite apparent that anyone who complains about everything Microsoft does is anti - MS to a certain degree.
I can see a few of things that touch could do in the domestic market like Video editing, graphics and plain old general navigation.
To stop using a stupid mouse is first on my list.
To have the option is better than no option at all!

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting TV Bis:
To stop using a stupid mouse is first on my list.

I've always used a regular mouse, much more convenient. Your IT department can issue you with the OEM Dell item you should have already received, if there has been any mix-up.


Quoting TV Bis:
Let's be truthful here.

I'd have thought we were!


Quoting TV Bis:
It doesn’t matter what Microsoft adds it's never going to be good enough for you guys

Who knows maybe one day they'll surprise us with something original and innovative.


Quoting TV Bis:
It's quite apparent that anyone who complains about everything Microsoft does is anti - MS to a certain degree.

stating the obvious a 10 paces is it?


Quoting TV Bis:
like Video editing, graphics

yeah these domestic touch screens sure offer such precision, but to be a fair it will be an absolute boon in the area of finger painting.


Quoting TV Bis:
To have the option is better than no option at all!

Option yes, but we are not talking options we a re talking about inappropriate (albeit cheap to produce) technology being flogged of as some new era in computing. I know enough about whats possible and what is practical to not be buying the spin.

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting TV Bis:
can see a few of things that touch could do in the domestic market like Video editing, graphics and plain old general navigation.

Actually ;) The only thing I like under my tired old fingers is my girlfriend and not some cold heartless monitor which doesn't even say hello when I turn it on :)

gankul (Cornerstone member):

you have not set your computer up to say hello and tell you how awesome you are?

Here i thought we all had done it, that way i feel better at 3am working on my computer instead of next to my fiancee.....hmmmm.

In other news...Touch.

Well i suppose it will be good for tablet pcs comparitivly, but who knows.

It will be more interesting seeing what open source and indie developers produce for it.

Aubrey (Advanced member):

I got a touch screen with my Dell 2100 netbook and it works as advertised (under Ubuntu 9.04, which has a nice calibration app). But, like Raindog says, after the first "gee whiz" effect, it doesn't have a lot of practical use. The actual ergonomics of it on a regular machine are appalling - it is soooo much more convenient to use a mouse plus keyboard shortcuts to do anything at all.

Please note: this is not an anti-MS comment, just a rant about touchscreens in general being a technology (like 3D rotating cubes and melting windows) looking for an application. Beyond those shopping center help screen/maps and toddler software, I can't see where I would find it useful at all.

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Aubrey:
I can't see where I would find it useful at all.
They have them at airports nowadays "Aubrey" so that they can get rid of a few more happy smiling staff that used to help you at check-in time :(

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting The Big Baboo:
at airports ........... happy smiling staff

Not on planet earth, never happened here. :>

I am sure that with clever programming airport touch screens will be able to output levels of contempt and condescension equivalent to those regularly experienced when dealing with those well manicured airline desk monkeys.

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Raindog:
When dealing with those well manicured airline desk monkeys.

Ah yes "Raindog" but some of those "desk monkeys" (the female ones of course)look rather good when you're contemplating a long trip somewhere away from your loved ones (and motorcycle) and you need some encouragement to come back ;) And if you're really lucky,you'll get their phone number.

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Aubrey:
plus keyboard shortcuts

Your brave suggesting something so simple and practical, legions of zombie clickers are already planning your lynching for such heresy.