Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Lady Gaga being so forthcoming about her cocaine use, Lance Berkman (really?!?), or if electric cars will take off this time around, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
So I’m still thinking about Apple’s Magic Trackpad (way more than I ought to). It’s more than that though. I’m thinking about the evolution of input methods. Games started with Pong paddles, moved onto joysticks, which gave way to gamepads, which are currently being overshadowed by the dawn of motion controls. Phones had rotary dials, eventually started using digital keys, and now use touchscreens.
What’s fascinating about personal computers is that the input method hasn’t really changed in more than 25 years. The vast majority of users out there still use a keyboard and mouse to interact with their computer. This just seems ridiculous to me. Mice are mostly inefficient and certainly dated. Whether it’s the Magic Trackpad or some other device, I can’t wait until the mouse is displaced as the most common input device.
Having said that, I still think that mice are the best choice for PC gaming. Will mice eventually becoming niche products that are purchased mainly by gamers? Will mice become the minority by the end of this decade? Or are people to comfortable and familiar with them? To paraphrase Johnny 5, I want your thoughts on “input”!
I tried using the magic mouse for gaming but found it inefficient because of the shape. I do think that mice will become a niche product for games and in the workplace.
@electric cars
No. Too $$$
I am a mouse freak. I have to have MY mouse whenever I use a computer. I love my Logitech MX 518s. I will be sad when they stop selling them. I use every button on the thing. For gaming I haven't found anything better. I refuse to use wireless mice also. I had bad experiences when they first came out with connection issues and battery drain killing me in games. Being able to adjust the sensitivity on the fly comes in handy all of the time.
I have never tried any other input methods. I tried out one of those that has the track ball on the outside and it just seemed to foreign. I don't know how open to a new input method I would be.
I am interested in this though
Just cameras that track you movement and do away with the mouse but it still emulates one.
i really can't make a choice on this topic without going out to try the magic trackpad myself. i don't know when i'll go ot an Apple store or if they have those out for demo purposes but without testing, i can't say whether or not the mouse would be better than the trackpad.
@Lady Gaga and cocaine abuse
if you haven't noticed we are a forgiving country. someone can do something bad like take steroids *cough* A-Rod *cough* but just say you're sorry and everyone will get over it. I think this was her thinking, beat the media or whomever had this information on her to the punch.
@Lance Berkman
yeah i don't see why the Yankees needed him but i'm cheering for them now that they got Kerry Wood. I hope he doesn't fall apart for you guys.
@electric cars
i agree with Smartguy too much money and the latest one Chevy Volt you have to put premium gas. WTF?!?!? i know you'll hardly need to put gas if you charge it but come premium gas really?? what a bunch of ass clowns.
Anyone know why it's taking my iphone to upgrade to iOS 4.01. This is my 2nd time after i cancelled the first one that was already going over an hour. i'm at 10 mins on the 2nd try and i'm barely a 3rd of the way in the backing up my iphone phase.
For gaming in anything not MMO/RTS, I find mouse and keyboard to be the worst input method possible. Even then I have played RTSs and MMOs that make me doubt the necessity of the mouse and keyboard. At work, they are definitely essential for mass appeal and efficiency reasons, but at home they could be swapped for touch screen tablets or monitors.
@Ray
The mouse has evolved in the last 25 years. What started with one button and a metal ball, has evolved into a two button, track wheel, laser guide monster. And now they like to be stroked too O_o
@tokz_21 Lada Gaga's coke and A-Rod's steroids aren't quite the same. The drugs A-Rod was taking weren't illegal at the time.
@rpad
Steroids have been illegal to have for awhile now. People have gone to jail for distributing steroids out at the gym i go to. I've done a google search and the DEA website doesn't mention when but mentions a bust it did in 2005. Just because it wasn't illegal in baseball doesn't make A-Rod innocent. Everyone knows that steroids is a P.E.D and the effect it has on people taking it. I think my Lady Gaga and A-Rod comparison works.
@berkman lance will do good for the Yankees, he will be great in the club house and he can still contribute just don't have him play first base the rest of the season
@tokz_21 PEDs can be used as treatment. People can get steroids or HGH for medical purposes. Cocaine is recreational.
@rpad
Steroids can legal be if prescribed by a doctor or if you are being monitored by a doctor during treatment but if you are using it on your own without a 'script then it's illegal. A-Rod even admits to it, quote, "I did take a banned substance. And for that, I am very sorry and deeply regretful." end quote. taken from Peter Gammons interview in Feb last year. I bet if they could find a medicinal use for cocaine it would be legal just like marijuana is legal in CA with a 'script.
@tokz
That Volt is 41k and is the base model. If you want some modern niceties, that will be extra. Not too mention the charging station that is required.
@smartguy
yeah i saw that. this is why i'm like geez you make enough money with all the other extra things you're making people get, you figure they would cut you some slack at the pump.
@tokz_21 The point being that steroids and HGH aren't illegal substances. They're controlled substances. Marijuana actually has legitimate medical uses — glaucoma, severe insomnia, severe nausea, etc. Certainly a lot of people with prescriptions don't actually need them, but I don't see how cocaine would be allowed in a similar fashion. What possible medical benefit could cocaine have?
@ Rpad and Tokz
Random history
Coke in the early 1900's was the miracle cure all drug it was in everything along with morphine, sodas, childrens cough syrup, bread, everything . Today an even more super synthetic cocaine is SOMETIMES used to help with broken noses being snapped back into place and some tooth problems. Novocaine is cocaine based so I guess we all did coke at one time. I am very interested in drugs and their histories not usage.
@rpad
i think you misread something. I said if they were to find a medicinal use for cocaine it would be legal with a 'script like marijuana, hgh, and steroids. I never said that there was a medical use for Cocaine but i think big blak may have help me out a little bit. My other point is that HGH and Steroids are illegal when not being administered by a doctor and i am 100% certain that A-Rod was not being injected by a doctor when he was doping.
@tokz_21 No, I didn't misread what you said. You're actually supporting why I don't think the situations are comparable. There is no legal reason to have cocaine in America (at least, not that I'm aware of). The substance itself is illegal. It's just a recreational drug. What A-Rod did was obtain substances illegally. Like I said before, they are controlled substances, not illegal ones. That's a significant difference.
@rpad
Cocaine is controlled substance, as well. I don't think we're ever going to agree but i see them being relevant. Lady Gaga's Cocaine use/possesion = A-Rod's illegal possesion of PEDs w/out script or doctor administration.
AGREE TO DISAGREE, AGREED?
@tokz_21 Is cocaine a controlled substance? I don't know of any circumstances where it's legal to possess it. Please let me know.
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@rpad
when you get arrested for it that's how you get booked, in possession of a controlled substance or unlawful possession of a controlled substance. also, if you believe wikipedia as a source it does list Cocaine in schedule II of their entry of the Controlled Substances Act.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled_Substance…
@Ray
The definition of controlled substance is a substance that is regulated. Cocaine is regulated, and that reg says you can't possess any.
@Mr. Padilla;
Cocaine can be used as a local anesthetic (due to it’s numbing properties) and it also makes Coca-Cola taste better.
Source: http://www.a1b2c3.com/drugs/coc03.htm
-M
@Iceman A-ha, I was not aware of that.
@smartguy Yes, I'm just using the wrong terminology then. I don't see how it's comparable to something you can possess legally.
Guess I gotta cite my references when it comes to drugs lol.
@Big Blak
you're telling me. I think i came >>> <<<<< that close from getting a law degree from all the research i did on PEDs and cocaine. I can specialize in drug cases.
Can you possess steroids? I know they are prescribed but I didn't know that John Q Public could have them.
@smartguy
yes you can if you have a doctor prescription. steroid use especially anabolic steroids use has to be monitored. Remember that there are other steroids but the one that was most used by athletes was anabolic steroids.
@Ray
THANK YOU
I have been waiting for Just Cause 2 to go on sale. It wasn't a $60 game but that I'll pay. And lucky for you I finally got an ATT rebate card in so I can now use your links (usually a cash only person)
Has everyone seen the Ron White Stand Up where he talks about taking a van to Sears only to have a wheel fall the F&@K off when he drove away? Well that just happened to me. I got my brakes done on my truck got a few blocks away and my dad noticed my wheel was about to fall off the back. It felt funny and thats why I had him follow me. Got out and there were a few hand tightened lugs left holding it on. got it back to the shop and then had to wait while they replaced all my lugs and studs on that wheel.
@slicky
damn.
What sucks is the rear brakes were kind of an after thought I just decided to have done because I figured at 130,000 miles I might need them. The front brakes had to be completely redone. Total cost $600 and missed 4 hours of work waiting. He had to eat the $35 for studs and lugs plus whatever labor was.
At least it didn't mess up the rim or rotor. I drive a Silverado and those units are over $500.
It probably would have, but I never got over 10 mph.
@Ray I just used my your link for Just Cause 2. I hope I did it right.
@ Slicky
Im going to do the same once I get my rebate from Tmobile.
@Everyone
anyone now of a Skype App I can use on my cell. I just want to be able to IM on Skype. I don't care about Skype calls at all, just the IM part. And Skype is the only thing my friend can use at work because she uses it for work anyway, so nothing else is an option. Currently I tether to my work PC to skype.
**KNOW not now. i'm dumb
Why not use Skype?
Is Skype available? I have searched but nothing there. It might be one of those blocked by ATT again. I'll check
You can pull Meebo down. I think that works for Skype IM if you can't get the skype app
all i get when i search skype is iskoot. is that what i want?
No. There is an official Skype App for Android.
@slicky
I just looked and Skype is tied to Verizon until later this year. Either try Meebo or Fring.
@SG
tried iskoot and work perfectly. It was blocked by AT&T of coarse.
@SlickyFats An official Skype app will hit later this year. I'm incredibly psyched for it, especially the video chat.
why all the criticism of cocaine?
its great, it gets you really high….im kidding
cocaine is a hell of a drug
@ All
Google passes Apple in the smart phone department with new customers.
http://gigaom.com/2010/08/02/android-sales-overta…
@Big Blak To be fair, that's for Q2 and only counts a few days of iPhone 4 sales.
@ Rpad
Damn that was so misleading I don't even think the article mentions its just Q2 numbers up until the end. But it was also new customers most people I know that have an iPhone4 upgraded. Ah stats, you can make then show what ever you want lol.
@Big Blak To be fair (x2), it didn't count a full quarter of sales for hot Android phones like the Evo 4G and Droid X. The Q3 results will be terribly interesting.
@SlickyFats Thanks so much for the Amazon order!