[laptop-accessibility] Touchpad is not accessible friendly

[Seth Woodworth]

The default linux kernel can handle an incredibly wide range of Human
Input Devices.  What's more, it is often easier to write drivers under
linux.  Suggestions for low-cost hardware?

--S

On Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 3:10 PM, Greg Smith <gregsmitholpc at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I'm afraid that the pressure sensitive feature is not available and not
> planned right now.
>
> In short, if it doesn't work for David it doesn't work well enough.
>
> I don't think that we will have a chance to change the hardware in the
> near future for this. It may be something that can be supported better
> in the next generation.
>
> For the time being, I think you will need to use some kind of peripheral
> (AKA external to the XO and plugged in to its USB port) device.
>
> We support a mouse, but if you find that your preferred peripheral does
> not work, you may be able to get some engineering support to gets a
> driver installed. No promises but for sure you should follow up if you
> want to use something and you are not able to make it work.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Greg S
>
> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:48:28 -0800
> From: "Tim hobbs" <tim.thelion at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [laptop-accessibility] Touchpad is not accessible
>        friendly
> To: "Discussion of accessibility on the OLPC"
>        <accessibility at lists.laptop.org>
> Message-ID:
>        <650efde80811192248o6f6ce12em2dcc66260d74ef33 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> You know, I'm surprised, there are two functionalities on this touch pad,
> the touch pad it'self, and a pressure sensative pad.  You may be able to use
> the pressure sensative pad, your hook acting as a stylus.
>
> Timothy Hobbs
>
> On Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 7:32 PM, David K Parker <davparker at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>  > > I have yet to find a touchpad that works with a prosthetic hook. I
> tested
>  > > one of these laptops at a conference recently, it did NOT work with my
>  > > prosthetic.
>  > >
>  > >
>  > > On Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 6:47 PM, Seth Woodworth
> <seth at isforinsects.com>wrote:
>  > >
>  >> >> I disagree.
>  >> >>
>  >> >> I believe that this is called a capacitance touchpad.  I can't
> imagine
>  >> >> that there isn't some item that a child could use instead of a
> finger.
>  >> >>
>  >> >> In fact, within arm reach: my metal watch band enables me to use my
>  >> >> touchpad.
>  >> >>
>  >> >> I don't think there is a as-cheap device that will allow pointing on
>  >> >> the XO as a capacitance touchpad.
>  >> >>
>  >> >> --Seth
>  >> >>
>  >> >>
>  >> >> On Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 6:48 PM, Carlos mauro
> <unimauro at gmail.com> wrote:
>  >>> >> > I agree.
>  >>> >> >
>  >>> >> > For versions of the XO 1.5 or 2.0 would be my suggestion to
> place the
>  >> >> cam
>  >>> >> > and the microphone at the top of the screen of the laptop. Use
>  >> >> eyetracking
>  >>> >> > recognition technologies or the use of touchscreen or
> something similary
>  >> >> to
>  >>> >> > gnome speech desktop
>  >>> >> >
>  >>> >> > 2008/11/19 David K Parker <davparker at gmail.com>
>  >>>> >> >>
>  >>>> >> >> In looking at the laptop specs I noticed the mouse input is
> a touchpad.
>  >>>> >> >> This makes the laptop inaccessible for kids with artificial
> hands. The
>  >>>> >> >> touchpad technology is not good at all for people who wear
> prosthesis.
>  >> >> This
>  >>>> >> >> limitation can be addressed by providing a trackpoint type
> alternative.
>  >> >> It's
>  >>>> >> >> really a shame that technology companies don't think about these
>  >> >> unecessary
>  >>>> >> >> limitations for people with disabilities. I bet there are
> many kids
>  >> >> missing
>  >>>> >> >> limbs due to landmines that will be affected by this
> technology hurdle.
>  >> >> I
>  >>>> >> >> know because I'm missing my hands due to an accident.
> Technology should
>  >> >> be
>  >>>> >> >> used to allow people to overcome disabilities, not adding
> additional
>  >>>> >> >> obstacles to oversome. Please pass this info on to the
> developers of
>  >> >> the
>  >>>> >> >> laptops.
>  >>>> >> >>
>  >>>> >> >> _______________________________________________
>  >>>> >> >> accessibility mailing list
>  >>>> >> >> accessibility at lists.laptop.org
>  >>>> >> >> http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/accessibility
>  >>>> >> >>
>  >>> >> >
>  >>> >> >
>  >>> >> >
>  >>> >> > --
>  >>> >> > http://unimauro.blogspot.com/
>  >>> >> > Creemos en el amor de los Seres Humanos
>  >>> >> > Carlos Mauro C?rdenas Fern?ndez
>  >>> >> > 4582877 980525716
>  >>> >> >
>  >>> >> > _______________________________________________
>  >>> >> > accessibility mailing list
>  >>> >> > accessibility at lists.laptop.org
>  >>> >> > http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/accessibility
>  >>> >> >
>  >>> >> >
>  >> >> _______________________________________________
>  >> >> accessibility mailing list
>  >> >> accessibility at lists.laptop.org
>  >> >> http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/accessibility
>  >> >>
>  > >
>  > >
>  > > _______________________________________________
>  > > accessibility mailing list
>  > > accessibility at lists.laptop.org
>  > > http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/accessibility
>  > >
>  > >
>
>
> -- Thank you, Timothy Hobbs tim.thelion at gmail.com -------------- next
> part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL:
> http://lists.laptop.org/pipermail/accessibility/attachments/20081119/9889d66c/attachment.htm
>
> _______________________________________________
> accessibility mailing list
> accessibility at lists.laptop.org
> http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/accessibility
>