Premise:
To make make a system that combines a keyboard and mouse and gets people thinking about new gestures and think about new formats for how humans can interface with computers.

PATH_0:
     Outline:Create a high end touch interface using products similar to 3M's touch sensor array and combine this with 1 to 2 Mac desktops. See the following link party for all parts and details.


Link Party:
3M's sensor array [I will get more specific soon]
3M's controller - EX series
3M's driver

The chosen sensor - 22,37 inches of fails x.x

C / C++

     MinGW 

     Installing MinGW 

     Setting Up a Compiler (CAUTION! This seems for older version of MinGW.  see above link)

     Setting Up Eclipse (see one above!!)

[I will leaf through the PDFs that I have and upload some useful ones] (still planning to do that)


RAW Materials:
-cables!!!!!! (power adapters? and connecting cables, like m to m USB)

     >custom: female 5 pin Molex brand to male type A USB (has arrived)

     >power cable for imac

     >[still adding]
-1 to 2 Macs Desktops (CCA's lovelies)

-mounting system/stand alone table (to be determined)

     >status: possible drawing & materials list uploaded in a couple of days (update from 29 Nov 2011)

     >[materials = metal frame, mild glossy 1/4" plywood sidings. Steel frame (welded), sidings cold fastened (nuts and bolts)]
-3M controller

     >status: in my hot little hands (update from 29 Nov 2011)
-touch sensor

     >status: in my hot little hands (update from 29 Nov 2011)
-suggestion system/placard for the available gestures


SOFT Materials:

-C/C++ development environment is required to use the libraries

     currently using Minimalist GNU for Windows (MinGW) and Eclipse for C/C++ (gotta double up <3)

-Processing (just in case I get java, C/C++ and the 3M driver talking to each other)
-Java SE runtime (needs to be installed) [maybe java is being scrapped from the project :( I should know in a few days]
-my mock OS / drawing and file management program
-Windows32/64: XP or 7
-3M micro touch controller's driver for Windows 32 or 64

POSSIBLE ERRORS

-Java or C/C++.   Hopefully there is something within Processing that allows me to communicate with the sensor (mainly for display purposes)

-The Windows 7 seems to be semi illegitimate to the point that this may cause a problem?

-The CCA's computers are running Windows 7 64 bit.  Most programs are tested on Windows 32 so hopefully this does not create an issue.  (3M's driver can run on 64, see specs on 3M's micro touch solution site)

-Currently I am running a test for what might get wiped from the Windows' side.  Thus installing files may become more complex (like it must be done all during the last week). 

ADMIN Requests:

  -need Don and Barney to have added permissions to instal files to the windows side of the school's imac's. _OR_ have the correct driver (and Java runtime / C / C++ development kit) installed by school admin.

Useful Numbers:

-3M touch tech support: +1 866.407.6666 (option #3)  Aprox Hrs of Op: 09h30 to 17h30 EST (-0500 GMT)

A small minor aside:

-3M has both single and multi touch sensors.  Sensor 17-93311-226 is a single touch sensor. *mybad*

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PATH_1:

     UPDATE: this path does not look and shall be discontinued shortly.
     Outline:Pouch (and possibly mod) a pre-made touch interface that is designed to fit over monitors.  This could cost considerably less but have limitations (like only one touch point and thus not good). See the Link Party for this research.  The principle behind this is that the screen is acting as the mouse (thus one point of input and primary and secondary buttons).


Link Party Of One:
MagicTouch - Mic Windows or Apple Inc Mac OS only touch screen addon
[I may dig up more, such as different products]


RAW Materials:
-cables!!!!!! (power adapters? and connecting cables, like m to m USB)
-1 to 2 Macs Desktops (CCA's lovelies)
-mounting system/stand alone table (to be determined)
    [possible materials = metal frame, mild glossy 1/8" plywood sidings. Frame welded, sidings cold fastened (nuts and bolts)]
-the screen addon (a few minor hardware mods done to this)


SOFT Materials:
-Java
-my mock OS / drawing and file management program
-the driver can exist for Mac OS as well as Windows

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last update: 2011.12.1 @ 14h04