[IxDA Discuss] "Interface-Free" Interface

[Daniel J. Wilson]

Alan Wexelblat wrote:
> [Please voluntarily trim replies to include only relevant quoted material.]
> 
> I can't find the references at this moment (they're on this ancient
> paper medium somewhere in my home office filing cabinet) but back in
> the late 80s the military went through a fad of touchscreen
> interfaces.  They were found to be highly error-prone and fatiguing.
> 
> Error sources include:
> - size of the pointing device (fingertip vs cursor)
> - selection with the finger obscures the thing you're trying to select
> - uncertainty on feedback.  The combination of physical feedback (does
> the screen flex in response to pressure?  If so how much and how does
> the user correlate that feedback with visual changes?) proved
> difficult for some users.
> - dirt and oils from human hands tended to introduce errors and
> obscure displays after extended use.

I wonder how the TactaPad would fare in comparison:

http://www.tactiva.com/demo.html

I want one.

Daniel J. Wilson
http://blog.wilsonet.com