Gen2 pointing device

[M. Edward (Ed) Borasky]

Albert Cahalan wrote:
> It's time to think outside the box again. These office-oriented
> pointing devices aren't working very well. Kids are commonly
> coated with stuff. That includes abrasive grit, conductive liquid,
> and opaque liquid. Mud and food are particularly common.
> 
> The touchpad fails with conductive liquid. Remember that people
> do not have equally sweaty hands, even in an equal environment.
> What works for you, or in a cold office, won't work for everybody.
> Now add mud and food.
> 
> Using a stylus unsurprisingly requires a stylus. This is not good.
> If the stylus were to be a primary input device, it would need to
> be in relative mode. Anything pressure-sensitive is going to
> encourage heavy pressure with sharp objects, leading to damage.
> On the positive side, at least it works fine while filthy.
> 
> The touchscreen is first of all just plain inadequate. It lacks the
> ability to hover, which is used throughout sugar. It is inaccurate.
> Depending on mechanism, it has either the touchpad or stylus problems.
> The really terrible thing is screen damage. Screens will not last long
> if kids are rubbing them with filthy fingers. Mud contains grit.
> 
> This could work:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointing_stick
> It might be possible to mold it right into the keyboard, preventing
> entry of liquids or grit while cutting costs.
> 
> This could work: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_stick
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:GameCube_Analog_Stick.jpg
> It's especially good for tablet mode, assuming that gets kept.
> _______________________________________________
> Devel mailing list
> Devel at lists.laptop.org
> http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/devel
> 
What about a second camera and tracking head movements? Sonar? Can't I
just "point with my nose?"