Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ncrlnk!ncr-sd!serene!rfarris
From: rfarris@serene.UUCP (Rick Farris)
Newsgroups: comp.cog-eng
Subject: Re: Human Factors: Paper-Like Interface
Message-ID: <265@serene.UUCP>
Date: 6 Jan 89 03:39:10 GMT
References: <2690003@hpdsla.HP.COM> <2690007@hpdsla.HP.COM> <316@cui.UUCP>
Reply-To: rfarris@serene.UUCP (Rick Farris)
Organization: RF Engineering, Del Mar, California
Lines: 23

In an article, Gary Ericson asks:

> I'm curious about using the touch panel in this manner.  I assume the
> screen was vertical, meaning that the user would have to reach up and
> forward to touch the screen.  Did users feel it is tiring or
> frustrating to suspend the hand in the air for extended periods of
> time, or does the benefit of direct contact with the graphics/data
> override this sensation?

Yes, yes, YES.  Both Tektronix and Hewlett Packard have burdened
users of their test instruments with touch screens.  And yes, your
arm gets darn tired.  Also, after a couple of hours of use, the
screen is so dirty and greasy from all those finger presses, that you
can barely read it anymore.  Touch screens that are meant to be both
touched and read, are a big lose.  Even those parts of the screen
that don't have touch buttons get greasy from bracing your hands.

Touch might be interesting as a replacement for a digitizing tablet,
though. 


Rick Farris   RF Engineering  POB M  Del Mar, CA  92014   voice (619) 259-6793
rfarris@serene.cts.com     ...!uunet!serene!rfarris       serene.UUCP 259-7757