GTA03 Touchscreen Capacitive (was Re: OT: iPhone howto)

[Friedrich Clausen]

On Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 10:34 AM, Helge Hafting <helge.hafting at hist.no> wrote:
> Friedrich Clausen wrote:
>
>> As far as I can see, the ultimate goal of the OpenMoko project is to
>> give everyone the chance to use a phone with a completely free (as in
>> freedom) software stack.
> Right.
>
>> For that to succeed I think a Capacitive
>> screen is better since you only need your fingers and no special
>> equipment.
> Wrong argument.
> The resistive screen doesn't need a stylus or other special equipment
> either. You can use the resistive screen with a finger only - no problem!
>
> The resistive screen gives you the _option_ of a stylus, for precision
> work. The capacitive screen doesn't give you the option.
>
> So the resistive screen has all the same options as the capacitive for
> finger-only use - capacitive has no advantage when it comes to fingers.

Thanks for your input - I was under the impression capacitive screens
conferred some advantages regarding detecting when a finger is placed
and when I finger is removed with regard to gestures. But I can't back
up this argument because I can't find any solid references.

So, I am conceding to the resistive argument for the time being and
assuming they both perform the same way when using fingers . If so,
then I too would say resistive gives more flexibility.

Regards,

Fred.

>> And, personal opinions aside, the non-technical users in my
>> social circle prefer the stylus free option.
>>
> Sure. And that works equally well with either screen.
>
> Nobody want a stylus for simple things like making a call. And no screen
> demands that either.
>
> But even non-techies may like some of the things you can do with a
> stylus. Such as handwriting, or drawing sketches.  Capacitive screens
> won't give you the option.
>
>> But, and this is one of the strengths of the Freerunner (+ future
>> models), is the ability to run multiple distributions - we  have
>> hacker friendly distros with full keyboards and end-user distros with
>> big friendly letters and smart ways to handle imprecision.
>>
>> Although the issue with capacitive screens remain - it appears that it
>> is not possible to create a really small stylus for use with a small
>> keyboard containing many buttons. In my very humble opinion, I believe
>> that a worthy sacrifice in order to create more mass appeal for the
>> Freerunner (+future models).
>
> If it gave a "mass market appeal". If! But what it the appeal of a
> capacitive screen? Certainly not the stylus-free operation, as the
> current resistive screen also does that just fine.
>
> Capacitive enforce stylus-free operation, resistive allows it too.
>
> Helge Hafting
>
>
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