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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!rutgers!lll-lcc!ptsfa!harlie!carl
From: carl@harlie.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: Flat Displays and Portable Computers
Message-ID: <540@harlie.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 23-Jan-87 17:22:35 EST
Article-I.D.: harlie.540
Posted: Fri Jan 23 17:22:35 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 27-Jan-87 03:47:52 EST
References: <275@netxcom.UUCP>
Organization: Lunatic Laboratories Unltd.
Lines: 41

>>>>Make it with a touch sensitive screen, Throw away the
>>>>keyboard and the pointer (mouse)...
>>>Ickkk!  I have a small problem with this.  I can not write.
>>>I can at best print slowly and painfully.
I can print fast, but it's disgustingly messy.  I prefer to turn in
assignments that have been printed out and get good grades for being
so nice to a teacher's fading eyesight...
>>How about adding a connector for a optional keyboard and pointing device
>>on the side of the machine?  Mechanical support for attaching it (directly
>>or with a detached cable) would be straightforward.
> No, don't add a keyboard on the end!  It was designed with the idea in mind
> that it would be about the size of a notebook.  If you add an auxiliary
> keyboard you defeat the design intent.
Having a decent keyboard about half the size of a notebook would be nice,
on a detached cord.  I personally can't stand small keys or ones that don't
travel far.  (My favourite keyboard is the one on the IBM PC/AT, with a
good solid click sensation every time you hit a key.)
> If you need a keyboard, then use the touch sensitive screen to create one.
Have you considered the FEEL of such a keyboard?  If you've ever used an
Atari 400, you'd reconsider.  (If you've used a Sun or a standard IBM PC,
even...)
> Keep the idea of an 'electric pencil', since it is rather difficult to type
> graphics into the screen.
This would be helpful for putting diagrams down, especially when someone
is illustrating sets or sketching something that you would put into paper
notes.
	The notion of a little flat display about the size of the average
clipboard with an "electric pencil" to select things with (instead of a
mouse), and a detachable keyboard that would either clip on the back or
perhaps slide into place in a specially designed binder with one side for
the display and one for the keyboard (and mebbe a 3.5" hard drive on board?)
would be fantastic for a student (who could afford it).
	Any manufacturers want to try for creating something?
							Carl
-- 
/--------------------------------v-------------------------------------------\
| Carl Greenberg                 | "I have a very firm grasp on reality!  I  |
| Lunatic Laboratories Unlimited | can reach out and strangle it any time!"  |
| "I always have fun because I'm | UUCP:                             -- Me   |
| out of my mind." -- Zippy      |  {qantel,ihnp4,lll-crg}!ptsfa!harlie!carl |
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