questions about touchscreens...

[bazz]

Hi,

Anyone got experience of touchscreens?

Is it so simple as to consider it like this:-

instead of using a mouse to click a web page link; you press a link with your finger? so does it work just like the ipod or iphone?


bazz

[ramm19]

bazz,

yes! most touchscreen laptops (tablet pc's) also come with a stylus that allows you to handwrite that can be coupled with handwriting recognition software.

[bazz]

OK, thanks.

so if I chose to; I could build an epos software program in web pages, which I could integrate with other web applications?

bazz

[ramm19]

a touchscreen is seen by the system as a pointing device, it has the same functionality as using a mouse... right-click, drag n' drop, etc.

[bazz]

ramm19, thanks.

That makes things much clearer to me.

bazz

[ramm19]

you are welcome. Just make sure you buy the right monitor (check specs and reviews) for your application, for a POS you will want to use your finger more than a stylus ;)

[bazz]

Yeh I am trying to research that side of it now.

initially, I am thinking

1. glass surface
2. spill resistant
3. >= 15" <= 19"

If you have suggestions, please let me know.

bazz

[ramm19]

I don't have experience with external touchscreens.. but I think this is a good place to look at for them:

link-here (http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=514&name=Touchscreen-Monitors)

Capacitive touchscreens are based on electricity, so basically getting close enough would trigger the click.

Resistive ones are based on pressure to calculate the coordinates..

I believe most of them should be spill resistant, and about the glass surface, those may be available only on capacitive screen (but don't take my word for it, I'm just guessing)

[bazz]

yep I found a site which turns out to be just about the most likely domain name I could have asked for :) touchscreens com.

I'll check out the link you gave me too. thanks

bazz

[oracleguy]

I've used computers with touchscreens for a long time. I can tell you one thing with absolute certainty, a touchscreen on a normal desktop setup is a complete waste. A mouse and keyboard is a much superior interface solution. The only way they become useful is in positions where you don't need to extend your arm out. For example, down and to the side of you. Or in situations where you will only interact with the screen for a few minutes at a time.

As far as capacitive versus resistive panels, the former is cheap however requires contact with your skin, it will not respond to fingernails anything else. The latter is more natural to use since you can tap with your fingernail or use a stylus.

Also most user interfaces aren't designed to be used by touch, generally speaking most desktop environments can be used without any real issues (Windows and Linux) but some applications don't work to well. However if you use it on a UI that you get to design or was made with touch usage in mind, they can be fantastic.

[bazz]

However if you use it on a UI that you get to design or was made with touch usage in mind, they can be fantastic.

heh, that is what I working am on.

I am currently thinking along the lines of a capacitive screen and of course, it'll be my own-designed UI.

Thanks for the advice, oracleguy.
bazz