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  3. Do developers really need a touch screen?

Do developers really need a touch screen?

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  • L Lost User

    I find even the smallest smudge on my dev screen a huge distraction and can't get work done till it's gone (turn-off - easier to see smudges against black.) No way I'd entertain a touch screen (and even more when there's going to be other people "helping".) Once had an ant get in my screen behind the front layer, I figured it'd die in a day or two so first thought was just leave it. 10 minutes later I had the thing disassembled. There's now gouges in the casing (sides) from levering off the snap-on front with a screwdriver - dont care about that - as the display area is clean.)

    Installing Signature... Do not switch off your computer.

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    Tomz_KV
    wrote on last edited by
    #25

    Lopatir wrote:

    Once had an ant get in my screen behind the front layer

    That was a real computer bug. :)

    TOMZ_KV

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    • T Tomz_KV

      Most touch applications are developed using an emulator. The "touch" test is generally conducted on a real phone or pad. Are there any good reasons that developers need a touch screen dev box?

      TOMZ_KV

      OriginalGriffO Offline
      OriginalGriffO Offline
      OriginalGriff
      wrote on last edited by
      #26

      Well, I don't have one. But ... After I bought the WookieTab and got used to using it as a Win10 Pad, I found myself getting frustrated that my desktop screen didn't respond when I tapped it... I could see a touchscreen dev machine being really pretty useful, but not essential. I suspect that (just like dual monitors) once you were used to it, it would really slow you down to go without.

      Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

      "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
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      • T Tomz_KV

        Most touch applications are developed using an emulator. The "touch" test is generally conducted on a real phone or pad. Are there any good reasons that developers need a touch screen dev box?

        TOMZ_KV

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        Marc Clifton
        wrote on last edited by
        #27

        Being contrarian, I quite enjoy using a touch screen on my laptop for scrolling, and I wish applications were designed to be more usable -- think Minority Report. Unfortunately, because my laptop is my main "desktop" platform and sits to the side of two large non-touch screen monitors, and because the whole setup is at arms length, it's quite inconvenient to touch unless its actually sitting on my lap. ;)

        Latest Article - Class-less Coding - Minimalist C# and Why F# and Function Programming Has Some Advantages Learning to code with python is like learning to swim with those little arm floaties. It gives you undeserved confidence and will eventually drown you. - DangerBunny Artificial intelligence is the only remedy for natural stupidity. - CDP1802

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        • M Marc Clifton

          Being contrarian, I quite enjoy using a touch screen on my laptop for scrolling, and I wish applications were designed to be more usable -- think Minority Report. Unfortunately, because my laptop is my main "desktop" platform and sits to the side of two large non-touch screen monitors, and because the whole setup is at arms length, it's quite inconvenient to touch unless its actually sitting on my lap. ;)

          Latest Article - Class-less Coding - Minimalist C# and Why F# and Function Programming Has Some Advantages Learning to code with python is like learning to swim with those little arm floaties. It gives you undeserved confidence and will eventually drown you. - DangerBunny Artificial intelligence is the only remedy for natural stupidity. - CDP1802

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          Tomz_KV
          wrote on last edited by
          #28

          I have two monitors too linked to my laptop that sits in a corner. I rarely touch the laptop screen.

          TOMZ_KV

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          • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

            Well, I don't have one. But ... After I bought the WookieTab and got used to using it as a Win10 Pad, I found myself getting frustrated that my desktop screen didn't respond when I tapped it... I could see a touchscreen dev machine being really pretty useful, but not essential. I suspect that (just like dual monitors) once you were used to it, it would really slow you down to go without.

            Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

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            Tomz_KV
            wrote on last edited by
            #29

            Most daily business apps, for example office apps, do not require touch interaction. Until business needs arise, a touchscreen will not be essential for developers.

            TOMZ_KV

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            • J Jeremy Falcon

              Not until programming becomes as simple as pointing and clicking. At which time devs will make up about 2,000 fancy acronyms for left click and right click so we can still sound important in meetings.

              Jeremy Falcon

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              Tomz_KV
              wrote on last edited by
              #30

              Jeremy Falcon wrote:

              Not until programming becomes as simple as pointing and clicking

              The day may come sooner than we expect.

              TOMZ_KV

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              • K Kaladin

                The way I see it, the best testing is done on the actual system the user is using, whereas emulators are best used for prototyping and debugging. I've had many problems only occurred when it was run on the actual system.

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                Tomz_KV
                wrote on last edited by
                #31

                Agree. Even on actual systems, problems may still exist since there are so many different devices made by different manufacturers. Cannot test them all.

                TOMZ_KV

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                • R Ron Anders

                  Nobody really does. That will find it's way to the top of the truth heap in time.

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                  Tomz_KV
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #32

                  For daily business operation, not so much touch interaction on a computer is needed.

                  TOMZ_KV

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                  • L Lost User

                    Tomz_KV wrote:

                    Are there any good reasons that developers need a touch screen dev box?

                    An emulator is just that; it may not be an entirely accurate representation of what happens on the real hardware.

                    Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]

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                    Tomz_KV
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #33

                    Do you think my boss would buy me an iPhone X? :-D

                    TOMZ_KV

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                    • A Abhinav S

                      Nope.

                      Windows Apps - Sound Meter | Color Analyzer | Wallpaper Selector | Football Doodles

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                      Tomz_KV
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #34

                      My laptop has a touchscreen and I have not found a way to really utilize it in dev.

                      TOMZ_KV

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                      • T Tomz_KV

                        Most touch applications are developed using an emulator. The "touch" test is generally conducted on a real phone or pad. Are there any good reasons that developers need a touch screen dev box?

                        TOMZ_KV

                        K Offline
                        K Offline
                        kmoorevs
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #35

                        My newest laptop has a touchscreen. The only time I've ever used it was when developing a web application for POS terminals, and a few times since when demoing the same application at trade shows. Honestly, I'd like to find an easy way to disable it as I have a colleague who has problems with depth perception and will occasionally tap the screen accidently! :)

                        "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse

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                        • T Tomz_KV

                          Jeremy Falcon wrote:

                          Not until programming becomes as simple as pointing and clicking

                          The day may come sooner than we expect.

                          TOMZ_KV

                          J Offline
                          J Offline
                          Jeremy Falcon
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #36

                          True that.

                          Jeremy Falcon

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                          • K kmoorevs

                            My newest laptop has a touchscreen. The only time I've ever used it was when developing a web application for POS terminals, and a few times since when demoing the same application at trade shows. Honestly, I'd like to find an easy way to disable it as I have a colleague who has problems with depth perception and will occasionally tap the screen accidently! :)

                            "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse

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                            Tomz_KV
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #37

                            A new project for touchscreen makers: the difference between intentional and accidental touches. :-D

                            TOMZ_KV

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                            • T Tomz_KV

                              Most touch applications are developed using an emulator. The "touch" test is generally conducted on a real phone or pad. Are there any good reasons that developers need a touch screen dev box?

                              TOMZ_KV

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                              Ravi Bhavnani
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #38

                              I have no use for one.  It's (much) easier for me to use a mouse to click than tap on the screen.  Same for Ctrl/Mousewheel vs. pinch to zoom. /ravi

                              My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

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                              • T Tomz_KV

                                Most touch applications are developed using an emulator. The "touch" test is generally conducted on a real phone or pad. Are there any good reasons that developers need a touch screen dev box?

                                TOMZ_KV

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                                MacSpudster
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #39

                                :suss: I had a touchscreen for development back in the late '80s. :cool: :omg: What took y'all so long? :wtf:

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                                • R Ravi Bhavnani

                                  I have no use for one.  It's (much) easier for me to use a mouse to click than tap on the screen.  Same for Ctrl/Mousewheel vs. pinch to zoom. /ravi

                                  My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

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                                  Tomz_KV
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #40

                                  Keyboard shortcuts seem to be used more often than a touchscreen.

                                  TOMZ_KV

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                                  • M MacSpudster

                                    :suss: I had a touchscreen for development back in the late '80s. :cool: :omg: What took y'all so long? :wtf:

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                                    Tomz_KV
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #41

                                    MacSpudster wrote:

                                    I had a touchscreen for development back in the late '80s.

                                    Must be very expensive then.

                                    TOMZ_KV

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                                    • T Tomz_KV

                                      Keyboard shortcuts seem to be used more often than a touchscreen.

                                      TOMZ_KV

                                      R Offline
                                      R Offline
                                      Ravi Bhavnani
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #42

                                      :thumbsup: /ravi

                                      My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

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                                      • T Tomz_KV

                                        MacSpudster wrote:

                                        I had a touchscreen for development back in the late '80s.

                                        Must be very expensive then.

                                        TOMZ_KV

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                                        MacSpudster
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #43

                                        $400 for a 9" touchscreen for the then Mac Classic/Classic II. $815 in today's dollars ~ CPI Inflation Calculator[^]

                                        The first person that replies to this comment gets $200. (Well, actually, anyone can get "$200" via copy/paste... :laugh: )

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                                        • M MacSpudster

                                          $400 for a 9" touchscreen for the then Mac Classic/Classic II. $815 in today's dollars ~ CPI Inflation Calculator[^]

                                          The first person that replies to this comment gets $200. (Well, actually, anyone can get "$200" via copy/paste... :laugh: )

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                                          Tomz_KV
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #44

                                          That is the cost of an iPad today with a similar screen size. Not as expensive as I thought. :)

                                          TOMZ_KV

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