Anonymous
Unregistered
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/computers.htm
Touch screens. Some laptops and desktop monitors now have touch screens. The monitors we tested with this capability work with Windows 7's touch capabilities, but we haven't found those to be all that useful
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru
If you play simulation games like the DCS: Black Shark and DCS: A-10C Warthog you can use a touch screen to use all of the switches dials and other controls. Take on helicopters also has a similar ability but not to the same extent. Microsofts Flight Sim X also has this function as do other simulation games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noEM1ko7Pm8
When I can afford it I will be getting at least one overlay for my monitors. (I think it's cheaper to use overlays than buy a monitor with an overlay inbuilt)?
The above games also work really well with a three monitor set up as they have six degrees of freedom. Any game with six degrees of freedom (which bascally means you can look around side to side and backwards while in game) plays brilliantly on three monitors (other examples include Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising and Red River, all of the ArmA franchise as well as racing games such as the Dirt franchise.
If you use head tracking technology such as the Track IR you can look around in your environment by moving your head and even look behind you (it also allows you to peep around corners). It's an amazing experence, almost as good as using one of those virtual reality headsets. Well..... probably better at the moment because the textures used for the graphics when using those head sets are still pretty old; at least the ones I've experienced at Orlando were.
Check out some videos using TracK IR:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U4jTZqmvuI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZluGLQ6X4MQ
here's one using 3 monitors:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=441ThwLYd4g
If you go even further and use force feedback technology via hardware like the Novint Falcon you can even feel your way through some games.
Video of Novint Falcon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW70elK9Yrs
Finally, check THIS setup using three monitors and touch screen technology plus custom flight controllers.
Gaming has come a long way from the game Pong. :)
here's one using 3 monitors:
Neat setups but all I could think of with that video was 'all that fancy gear and he couldn't even bother to buy monitor stands!' :)
Speaking of touch screens, as soon as my contract is up I'm going to find an Android phone with an actual keyboard - if they even make them anymore. I've given up gaming on a touch screen.
Worst case scenario I'll have to buy one of these (if I ever have money again).
mikiem2
Moderator
"Speaking of touch screens, as soon as my contract is up I'm going to find an Android phone with an actual keyboard - if they even make them anymore. I've given up gaming on a touch screen."
I often rely on a bluetooth keyboard with my tablet. There are small, pocket-sized Bluetooth keyboards -- I've seen a them as small as what [used to be?] included on cell phones, though try & make sure your cell will work with them 1st -- my wife's cell *Will Not* pair with my keyboard, not from a lack of trying. While not always the cheapest, they have a fair selection here: http://www.meritline.com/mini-keyboard-iphone-portable-keyboards---c-14349.aspx
Hi mikie, I've considered that as well, my only problem is figuring out how to hold both at the same time. Apple users are well supplied with things like the NUU MiniKey and this generic slider.
The Gametel GamePad is almost right... if I have no other option, come renewal time.
I'd take any of them quite happily - but not the Apple :)
I'd consider robbing a bank for an Android version of the 'BladePad'.. :Þ
Or perhaps I'll just have to dig up a used Xperia Play. Sigh! :)
mikiem2
Moderator
my only problem is figuring out how to hold both at the same time
How about a small piece of masonite or similar & velcro, like a base or bridge holding the 2 together? [You may be used to calling it something else, but this is what I mean: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masonite ] Stick the keyboard on 1/2, the cell on the other.
I'd guess it would only need to be about somewhere around 4-6" long, & maybe 2" wide or so, so it'd fit in your pockets or whatever as well as the keyboard. Cover it with fabric if you wanted it to look a little less Micky Mouse, & maybe round the corners so if you did carry it in your pocket it wouldn't rip through the material.
Anonymous
Unregistered
http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/gadgetbox/usability-expert-finds-windows-8-pc-confusing-954680
Usability expert finds Windows 8 on a PC confusing
Courtesy of Laptop
Though Windows 8 is winning rave reviews for its touch-friendly tablet experience, many feel that the operating system’s “Modern-style” UI makes life more difficult for PC users.
Budiu explained to us why the design principles Microsoft used don’t make sense for PCs and have the potential to confuse desktop users and slow them down.
Sorry mikie - missed your message.
That would be concievable, assuming I could find anything like that here. I know exactly what you you're talking about as I remember it from the backs of my speakers from many moons ago. None of the hardware stores around here seem to stock it - at least not on their websites.
I'd be worried it was too thick to be pocketable. Even then I'd probably have to fold it over like a wallet in order to fit it in my pocket, which means some sort of support system for when it's opened. I'd rather just skip straight to the support system and cut out some bulk.
The Gametel Gamepad has a clamp system so it's fairly universal. It'll even hold a Samsung Galaxy S III which has a 4.8" screen! Probably even holds those phones that Apple sells, whatever they're called...
But I'd probably be thinking more along the lines of that.
My phone actually has an HDMI out port, so I've hooked it up to the big TV and used it in conjunction with a Wii remote. It worked ok, but if I'm going to do that, I may as well just use the Wii. So anything where I have to set the phone down is out as well.
Maybe I'll save up for a Gametel..
Maybe I'll just have to learn to live with it!
Hmm.. maybe if I bought two hard phone cases specifically for my phone and glued them together.. or made some sort of string and hole connection so I could lay them flat, side by side, and then use the string tension to lock them together... hmmmm... hmmmmm!
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