Discussion on:

Shuttleworth unveils touchy Ubuntu to help reignite PC innovation

Original post:
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=5826

Actually, I'm going to need a touch-enabled device to decide. The concept is excellent, and could potentially be a much needed "desktop" innovation. However, as I don't necessarily have a device at the current time that can take advantage, I'm not sure.

I dual-boot Vista SP2/Ubuntu 10.04.24 (or something like that when the system starts, I don't pay too much attention, it works.), so 10.10 would be a step up for my current system. To get the true benefit, I'll have to invest in a device that can take advantage.

I like the ideas, and am sure Canonical has put its best efforts into this (and are still). Now, I just need to find the hardware I want to run it on. Perhaps in October (the scheduled release) I can come back and offer a more considered opinion.

M.

I think it would be fun to play around with an XT2 with multitouch Ubuntu, but the price point is going to be very prohibitive. Granted, it has a lot more power, but the software alone is not going to drive $1,500+ laptop/tablets. I know the article is about PCs, but the listed hardware is still a PC tablet, so I'm not sure how this relates completely.

Is there a hardware manufacturer making touch integrated equipment for the desktop that Ubuntu works with? Personally, I'm still not sure I want touch at the desktop. I have enough shoulder strain from leaning forward at my desk as it is, I can't imagine having to reach out and touch a screen at eye level to make it do everything I currently do.

I actually do play with Unbuntu 10.04 and 17" TFT LCD Monitor, Model number 821A.
I have used it with SUSE 11.3 too.
I use it with VLC player, so I can select what music I want to play. I was trying and still working on system that I can put into a wall that can operate a home audio/video system with touch controls, and can even be used with an overhead projector to watch movies. Still has a few bugs, but more of a stress relever after a day at the office.

My guess is that using this would lend itself to workstations along the lines of stations on a Star Trek bridge.

There are studies around that suggest that working, at least part time, on your feet is more stimulating and creative and a touch screen would really lend it self to this scenario.

Worth a thought after spending years with a numb bum and stiffness in my back from sitting in a chair that someone has reset to suit themselves... dont get me started.

Besides it would mean I could realise part of my dream of being a space cadet...=)

Besides it would mean I could realise part of my dream of being a space cadet.

I know dozens who have achieved this state without the use of computers or any other technology.

We use a large touch screen, 46" soon to go to a 83" screen in planning for emergency's at our Fusion Center. It is more Stimulating and we get more participation from users. We currently use Win7pro with a Linux Server, but if Ubuntu is cheaper, and of course better, we would use it. Dell XT is expensive and not very fast, with Win7, so we might try Ubuntu 10.10 soon.

Maybe Ubuntu's aim isn't solely the desktop multi-touch screen interface, but also a means of enhancing trackpad operability. Wacom's Bamboo (Graphics tablet) is already a pen or multi-touch gesture based interface, which may become even more versatile with Ubuntu's work. I'm a trackball user, but I can see a Wacom Ubuntu marriage as a great mouse alternative, or an Apple Magic Trackpad for the PC user.

In 10 years it won't make sense for most people to have a smartphone a tablet and a PC with a separate data connection for each. So the tablet and dock will foot the bill for most people.

If Ubuntu can instead focus on the tablet market, that will be their Trojan Horse into the PC market.

Google was smart enough to realize that the desktop is the dinasaur and mobile is the wave of the future. Ubuntu should hedge its future on tablets and mobile devices like Google did or maybe they should team up with Google and fork their ChromeOS when it comes out.

HP has had touch enabled computers for two years now, Windows 7 is touch aware out of the box and their are several models of monitors and laptops out there that have touch screens. The one big complaint with the technology that I have read is not the gestures but that the screen gets covered in finger prints/oil so always looks dirty. Shuttleworths gestures also remind me of the same gestures a PDA used more than 10 years ago. Mr Shuttleworth, the definition of innovative is something new, not a retread of something everyone else has already done and moved on from. You want to get innovative why not make a universal driver for Ubuntu for video, printers and sound cards so that your OS is truly plug and play.

You can be the winner of the Bonehead of the year award again this year.

Until Ubuntu and the forkings FIX the critical security stupidities of using an END USER PASSWORD for admin access, on top of the idiocy of AUTOMATIC LOGIN, there is nothing about Cannonical's products that any intelligent person would touch.
[ and we all know Dell has no intelligent people in their employ. ]

Particularly other distros in the Debian family. Mint comes to mind...

but since I don't have the source tarball for it I'll never know.

Is slick (I use v9), but it is built on Ubuntu.

I'll take the bait. I was going to spend time writing a proper rebuttal but I can't be bothered.

1) It's trivial to remove sudo access from normal users and setup a password for the root account, if you prefer that model.

Having said that, I think Ubuntu has a good default security setup for a home user. The average user would never get any updates installed if they'd have to remember a second password for administrative tasks.

2) Automatic login is only useful in marginal cases (wouldn't use it myself) and also available on other desktop OSs.

Maybe you could apply for a job at Canonical and set them right since they are so obviously stupid and you have a better solution.

What feeshtank said.

I thought I could hear a drum banging there for a moment...

why should anyone have to lock it down to the normal default level?
[ translation: having to edit the config you remove the sudo screwup should NOT ne needed ]

and if it's only marginally usefull, why is it enabled by default in Ubuntu?
oh, cause they want to **** security.

everything they have done with Linux has been to the detriment of security.
with no benefit to usability.

Eh. This is going to scare a lot of people. I don't see it catching on too soon. I don't really ever see it being widely accepted. Even being the techie that I am I get a weird feeling when I am not operating my computer with a mouse.

Your mouse still has a track ball too, doesn't it?

Are you putting down my Logitech trackball (Marble FX - best darn trackball ever made) I have been using now for the last 12 yrs?

-Tammy

Hell hath no fury, an all...

Every 'mouse' I have has a thumb operated trackball on it. They date back to Logitech's original trackball, and far and away the most ergonomic trackball offering ever, the Stationary Mouse (approximately 15 years ago). I first sampled a trackball on a friend's computer, had to have one myself, and have not looked back since. I cannot picture a touch screen replacing a trackball and keyboard on my machines. However - If touch screens become commonplace - and affordable - in my lifetime, I would certainly be forced to try one.

My real dream in monitors is for the 4:3 aspect ratio to come back into vogue; or even a square screen.

For those whose medical need necessitate, they are pretty handy. Pain in the rear for Tech folks who are not used to them, to navigate though.

Ubuntu Linux is still swinging away on desktop innovation. On Monday, Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth unveiled new multitouch capabilities to bring some of the mobile innovations to the desktop and kick it up a notch.

I dunno about you, but I don't want to reach over my desk and smudge up my screen for 8 hours every day. This sounds like a pretty stupid idea to help innovate the desktop.

Might make more sense on a mobile phone, but Ubuntu is way to late to that game, just look at how RIM is fairing, they came in too late...

Remember back in the halcyon days of youth when you actually had to purchase your mouse separately? (and yes, I refused to pay $50 for a mouse when "I have a Kraft joystick that works just fine." This was on a Tandy Color Computer 3, by the way... Didja ever actually try to doubleclick with a joystick? It's not actually the same thing...)

Same thing all over again - you would need to purchase a multitouch capable touchpad that would (probably) replace your mouse as your new pointing device.

Now, if they came out with an affordable 12x12 inch multitouch pad like my old Kurta IS-One CAD Digitizer, I might find it interesting and possibly even useful; but IMHO today's trackpads aren't quite big enough for one finger, let alone 4...

20 years ago, I thought the mouse was an interesting but unnecessary tidbit, now they're indispensable for almost everyone. In 20 years, are mice going to be considered archaic when standard GUIs have multitouch working well? Imagine the questions from the kids then: "What do you mean you only click on one thing at a time?" "Where do you pinch this thing?" Rather like trying to explain cassette tape & floppy magnetic media to kids currently...

Oh, and for the record: RIM started back in the days of the "Messaging Pager" - they were one of the pioneers of "smart devices." However, just like Atari & Amiga, methinks their marketing abilities are not up to par; and their enterprise solutions are gosh-darned expensive... I'm just sayin'.

Laterz,
"Merch"

We use touch screens here at work, and as a tech guy, it is great. I can walk up to a user, let them explain the problem, fix it with min. fuss, walk away. I don't get pinned to their chair. I use it at home, and on my phone, Droid, and wish more people would use it. It is easier to point to something, than grab a mouse, locate it on the screen, move it to where I want to go, and click or double click. Makes sense.

Just think about it Canonical, this could be the next big thing!

Instead of typing you could use arm and body gestures. This innovation helped make YMCA one of the most popular wedding reception songs of all time.

You could run forward or backwards in your browser, as well as jump up and squat down a page. Close an app with a hug. Double-click like the wildly successful Clapper. The possibilities are endless.

Instead of sitting at a desk typing and clicking, we could get in to the best shape of our lives by doing hours of aerobic calisthenics and yoga.

People will laugh at the thought of using an archaic keyboard and mouse. Primitive barbarians!

Plus, I could still eat my barbecue ribs and fried chicken while generating an expense report without messing up my screen.

If you think in terms of an OS that can be used with kiosks, the touch is a huge plus. That seems very close to using the camera for gestures...that's fuel for interactive digital signs.