Peter's Gekko

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Using a tablet PC

For a couple of months I've been using a tablet PC as a part of my everyday activities, time tor a little update.

Some observations.

  • The machine is quite powerful as a PC. It runs Outlook, Feeddemon and a Virtual. Small Business Server at the same time.
  • The machine is really mobile and connective, it has 3 ways to connect to the network: a TP plug, WiFi and bluetooth.  Windows switches  automatically to fastest available. When I'm on the road the Siemens Data Suite connects me seamlessly to the net using my Cell phone.
  • The screen is quite useless out of doors, it's just not bright enough. Indoors, it is a pleasure to use.
  • lt is difficult to allign the pen with the cursor. Sometimes you have to tap outside of the screen to hit the right spot. This sounds worse than it is, you get the feel for the right place to hit by using. According to the tablet hardware specs a deviation of 2 mm between actual hit and visual feedback is allowed. l think my tablet is within limits.
  • The tablet SDK is great. But they don't know who to target. It's a mixture old style COM and managed. NET Code. You can do almost everything in managed .NET code and I can't imagine why you would run a tablet on anything else than XP tablet edition 2005 which includes the framework.
  • Literature on developing apps is rare. There is one good MS book and that's just about all. Going to dive deeper into tablet development and will keep you informed.

Peter

 


Posted 11-08-2004 1:51 PM by pvanooijen

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Comments

Gaston wrote re: Using a tablet PC
on 11-08-2004 9:21 AM
2mm deviation within specs? Hmmm, this makes me think that a screen-resolution larger than 1024x768 would not be appropriate for a tablet. Say, you have a screen-resolution of 1280x1024 on future tablets; icons, images and text are smaller then, so miss-clicks will be numerous... Unless the digitizer is improved.

What is your view on this?

Arin Goldberg wrote re: Using a tablet PC
on 11-08-2004 4:11 PM
Peter,

Be sure to check out the Tablet PC Development Center on MSDN. There's lots of developer content available. http://msdn.microsoft.com/tabletpc

Arin Goldberg - ISV Architect - Tablet PC Group
Peter's Gekko wrote Is a Tablet PC cool (to program) ? Oh yes !
on 11-08-2004 8:15 PM
Is a Tablet PC cool (to program) ? Oh yes !
Peter van Ooijen wrote re: Using a tablet PC
on 11-09-2004 1:08 AM
hi Gaston,
There is alist of recommendations for the UI of a tablet. Including some on the size of items on the desktop. Recomended DPI for the desktop is 120 or more. Another nice one is the allowed distance between two taps to be a double click (instead of two single clicks).
Your point makes perfect sense. ANd has been thougth of beforehand.

hi Arnin,
That is a very good place. I'll make a new post to highlight the site.
Peter's Gekko wrote Is a Tablet PC cool (to program) ? Oh yes !
on 09-25-2005 4:12 PM
In yesterday's post I listed some practical experiences, looking back on using a tablet PC. Today I want...

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