[Athen] Seeking info on Touch Tablets

[Shelley Haven]

A couple of other points to add to Nettie's comments:

- Some tablet computer screens (such as on the ThinkPad X61 and 
apparently the Fujitsu and HP Nettie's using) are able to respond to 
both a stylus and a fingernail; others will only respond to a stylus, 
which would eliminate the problem with something else touching the 
screen.  I also seem to recall that there's a way (at least on my 
ThinkPad) to "turn off" the finger/fingernail detection and only 
respond to a stylus.

- For precision cursor movement in drawing programs or image editing 
software, I usually just rely on using Mouse Keys, which gives me 
single-pixel movement control of the cursor via the keyboard.  With 
Mouse Keys on, click the number keypad zero key to click and hold the 
mouse button, then use the keys surrounding the 5 key to move the 
cursor (and whatever it's dragging) in the appropriate direction. 
Clicking the 5 or zero key releases the mouse button.  (Find Mouse 
Keys in the Accessibility control panel in Windows; Universal Access 
preferences on a Mac.)

Hope this helps.

- Shelley Haven


At 3:20 PM -0800 2/3/09, Nettie Fischer wrote:

>Hi Mike,

>

>Prior to my career as an ATP, I was a photographer and I worked with 

>PhotoShop and some other less vigorous photo software programs.  One 

>thing that I experienced was the need to perform some fine detailing 

>actions which is touchey with a mouse without user issues- how many 

>times when I was so close and needed to back step because my mouse 

>action 'messed up'  <smile>

>

>As an ATP, I am now on my second touch tablet computer, the fujitsu 

>3400 was my first and the HP Pavillion is my newer system.  They are 

>functional as mouse alternative for many things but I am not sure 

>how they will address the need for the detailed actions required for 

>photo software.   When you use a stylus -the fujitsu required the 

>stylus and/or a fingernail- to mimica the mouse activation/actions. 

>The HP is more responsive to the fingertip (great for AAC 

>software/mouse emulation) and does not require a stylus for basic 

>mouse options; the stylus is avialable and useful for writing and 

>other more detailed computer tasks.

>

>My concern would be related to the girls ability to hold the stylus 

>without touching another part of the screen with an arm or shirt 

>sleeve, etc. - which would move the cursor to the contact site. 

>This might require that she hold her arm above the screen with the 

>possible need of an arm support to address fatigue, etc.

>

>Prior to purchasing my tablet, , I was able to play with it at the 

>store (Fry's, Best Buy - most stores have tablets on display).  She 

>can explore using the stylus and her fingernail and see if she has 

>the fine motor skills as well as the ability to hold her arm in a 

>positon above/away from possible contact areas on the screen.

>

>Also, if she is receiving OT services, check to see if the actions 

>required might cause negative reactions - and maybe even more 

>fatigue.

>

>Hope this helps a little.

>

>Regards,

>Nettie Fischer, ATP

>

>

>

>

>

>On Tue, Feb 3, 2009 at 2:59 PM, Mike Gibson 

><<mailto:mikegibson at boisestate.edu>mikegibson at boisestate.edu> wrote:

>

>Hi Everyone,

>

>I am working with a student this semester who has issues using a

>conventional mouse do to Carpal Tunnel and Fibromyalgia.  She is

>enrolled in a  photography class this term which requires students to

>use photo editing software. She is having problems with the fine mouse

>movements to properly edit the photos and other related activities.

>

>I have been reading about touch tablets and their use for drawing,

>painting, and handwriting on a PC.  Has anyone had experience using

>these devices as a mouse alternative?  If so what challenges were their?

>Also any information on brands would be helpful as well.

>

>Thank you in advance.

>

>

>

>Mike Gibson

>Assistive Technology Coordinator

>Boise State University

>1910 University Dr.

>Boise, ID 83725-1375

>Phone: (208) 426-1583

>Fax: (208) 426-3785

>Email: <mailto:mikegibson at boisestate.edu>mikegibson at boisestate.edu

>

>

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>

>

>

>--

>Nettie T. Fischer, ATP

>Assistive Technology Practitioner

>nettiet, ATP Consultants

><http://www.nettietatpconsultants.com>www.nettietatpconsultants.com

>[916] 704-1456

>

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