Irfan’s Corner on the Web On Mac, Linux, Grid, Virtualization and Software Technology

Whats wrong with a Touch Screen interface?

Maybe its just me, but I feel a LOT more productive with a touch screen interface. I just came across this post, which highlighted numerous problems with touchscreen interfaces (a la iPhone) namely:

"Some of his problems with touchscreens include: sun glare (MacBook users are already intimate with this one), grease, lack of one-handed operation and the potential for trapped dirt."

I agree with most of the highlighted problems, they indeed do cause a nuisance, however one claim which I just can't agree is that touchscreen interfaces are 'slower' at writing text than regular keyboard interfaces. I dont believe that's true at all. Touchscreen interfaces are just so much more productive. I use a Motorola e680i, which features a touchscreen interface and has no keyboard. I can write on it a lot quicker than on a regular cellphone, additionally its word prediction technology is a great time saver, theoretically in a touch screen interface you can type as fast as you can move your finger. I think there will be many problems with the iPhone's touchscreen interface, but typing is not going to be it!

Slashdot learns from Digg!

It seems that Slashdot.org, has introduced a Digg/reddit type moderation system where the users vote up or down some story, which may eventually aid the moderators in approving them to the system.

Officially dubbed as "Firehose", it says:

"The Slashdot Firehose is a collaborative system designed to allow users to assist our editors in the story selection process. Try tagging and voting on the entries below, and by using the 'feedback' menu by each entry. The hose can contain submissions, RSS Feeds, bookmarks, journal entries and Slashdot stories. "

Slashdot, once the feared for its 'slashdot effect', has been tamed since the introduction of Digg, compare the alexa rankings of the three sites, digg, slashdot and reddit. Firehose may be an attempt to take its once coveted position back by opening up its moderation system.

• slashdot.org (blue)
  
• digg.com (red)