Linux MPX Multi-touch Alternative to MS Surface 182
An anonymous reader writes "Gizmodo has published an article (with video) on the Linux-based free alternative to MS Surface along with a quite interesting interview with its creator, Peter Hutterer.
"It may not be as fancy-schmancy as Microsoft Surface or Jeff Han's demos but this video of a Linux-based MPX multi-touch table shows that things are moving full speed ahead in the land of the free penguins. We talked with developer Peter Hutterer, who gave us his insight on the project, the iPhone and the ongoing multi-touch craze."
He talks about Jeff Han's work, MS Surface and defines the iPhone as "not the first in what it's doing, but definitely a huge impact" in the field."
Re:MultiMeh... (Score:5, Interesting)
Why not... (Score:5, Interesting)
http://www.instructables.com/id/EJIXKOEF3ER7VN5/?
Hardware seemed the issue (Score:3, Interesting)
Also, I don't think it would have taken much to add Beryl for that extra bling that MS can't offer.
Re:"schmancy"? well la-di-da (Score:1, Interesting)
That being said I agree that linux should accept what it is. You can argue all you want about better or worse than windows, but its just a different animal and both serve their purpose. I dual boot and both OS's have their draw for me. I end up spending more time using linux and like it a lot more, but you won't catch me going linux only anytime soon.
Question: Common Practical Uses? (Score:3, Interesting)
Maybe it's just me, but I'm not seeing any widespread practical use for this critter outside of some extreme niches (e.g. kiosk or limited industrial or medical machine interfaces).
Software! (Score:5, Interesting)
You know, Microsoft didn't invent this multi-touch stuff, and neither did Apple. Its been around as research projects for years. So why is the MS version such a big deal?
Software!
See, the real hard part about all this is the fact that you need to come up with a completely new set of UI conventions and implement a completely new set of applications in order to make it a useable product. Until now with MS, nobody's done that.
From the article, this MPX thing seems to consist of nothing more than a modified X server, running "normal" (i.e., designed for a single cursor) applications. Therefore, it is not nearly as impressive as the MS Surface.
Re:Question: Common Practical Uses? (Score:5, Interesting)
Also, save the CAD file to a PDF, e-mail it to the client, and he can view the drawing package in full on their table, "Red Line" it/mark it up, save it, and e-mail it back.
Considering a package can run from ten to a hundred drawings, this potentially saves a ton of paper and other resources.
Re:Again Microsoft copies other people's technolog (Score:2, Interesting)
The big problem with tabletop displays... (Score:3, Interesting)