Orchid XP v8 wrote:
> Stephen wrote:
> 
>> Don't be afraid of not using the whole area.
> 
> OK, now I'm puzzled... Tablets use absolute positioning. So how do you 
> only use a small area?
> 

Two ways: I have mine set to match my monitor's aspect ratio, and you 
can also set it to relative mode, or mouse mode.

-- 
~Mike

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On Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:38:07 +0100, Orchid XP v8 wrote:

> OK, now I'm puzzled... Tablets use absolute positioning. So how do you
> only use a small area?

Because tablets don't use absolute positioning.  The Wacom driver for all 
platforms (Linux, Windows, and Mac) lets you choose whether you're using 
absolute or relative positioning.

In fact, the Wacom tablets let you set this depending on the tool you're 
using.  So when I'm using the cordless mouse, it uses relative 
positioning (so I can move off the edge of my screen and onto the next 
system the way I always have), but the stylus and eraser are configured 
for absolute positioning.

You can also configure the area, and even can configure within some 
applications for "Window" or "Screen" mode (meaning the area applies only 
to the current window or to the entire screen).

Jim

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On Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:38:07 +0100, Orchid XP v8 <voi### [at] devnull> wrote:

>Stephen wrote:
>
>> Don't be afraid of not using the whole area.
>
>OK, now I'm puzzled... Tablets use absolute positioning. So how do you 
>only use a small area?

Map a small area to the full screen area.

Think of moving a mouse the actual distance the cursor moves onscreen. Not very
ergonomic is it? For quick movements I can map the screen diagonal to be a
couple of inches movement on the tablet. That means that I can keep the heal of
my hand stationary and just move my thumb and forefinger for the courser to
transverse the whole of the screen. If I want a fine control, by tapping a
button on the tablet I can toggle to the whole tablet to being the area of the
screen. 
Also I can use gestures for keyboard functions. If I draw a line that is down
then right I get an "Enter" action, a capital P prints, a cap S saves the
document etc.
 
-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On 17 Sep 2009 15:15:21 -0400, Jim Henderson <nos### [at] nospamcom> wrote:

>
>I'm no artist, just been spending time playing in the Gimp and Inkscape.  
>And Xournal, which is a pretty neat app for just doodling.  I may even 
>take my whiteboard down now. :-)  (But I doubt it)

Practicing signatures is fun as is using a pressure sensitive drawing package. 
-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:49:11 +0100, Stephen wrote:

> On 17 Sep 2009 15:15:21 -0400, Jim Henderson <nos### [at] nospamcom> wrote:
> 
> 
>>I'm no artist, just been spending time playing in the Gimp and Inkscape.
>>And Xournal, which is a pretty neat app for just doodling.  I may even
>>take my whiteboard down now. :-)  (But I doubt it)
> 
> Practicing signatures is fun as is using a pressure sensitive drawing
> package.

Yeah, the Gimp picks that up - and contrary to the linuxwacom web page's 
assertion, the current release of Gimp understands tilt as well (when 
applied through the calligraphy tool).

One nice use (in conjunction with an online meeting tool) is something 
that behaves a lot more like a whiteboard.  It's so difficult to "write" 
with a mouse.  If I were still teaching, this would be a great way to 
handle drawing diagrams for the class.

Jim

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On 17 Sep 2009 19:15:22 -0400, Jim Henderson <nos### [at] nospamcom> wrote:

>> Practicing signatures is fun as is using a pressure sensitive drawing
>> package.
>
>Yeah, the Gimp picks that up - and contrary to the linuxwacom web page's 
>assertion, the current release of Gimp understands tilt as well (when 
>applied through the calligraphy tool).
>

I've not used mine for about 6 months as I've been meaning to send my laptop off
for repair. I did not bother installing the software after my last system crash
and reinstall.

>One nice use (in conjunction with an online meeting tool) is something 
>that behaves a lot more like a whiteboard.  It's so difficult to "write" 
>with a mouse.  If I were still teaching, this would be a great way to 
>handle drawing diagrams for the class.

With out a doubt.
-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:02:19 +0100, Stephen wrote:

>>Yeah, the Gimp picks that up - and contrary to the linuxwacom web page's
>>assertion, the current release of Gimp understands tilt as well (when
>>applied through the calligraphy tool).
>>
>>
> I've not used mine for about 6 months as I've been meaning to send my
> laptop off for repair. I did not bother installing the software after my
> last system crash and reinstall.

I find I'm actually using both the touchpad and the tablet; the touchpad 
is on the keyboard tray, but the tablet's too big for the tray - so if I 
am working on something that uses the keyboard extensively, I'm tending 
not to use the tablet.  I definitely need to rearrange things on my desk 
a little. :-)

And a wrist-rest would probably also be useful, as I otherwise end up 
resting my hand on the edge of the desk, which is glass.

Jim

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On 18 Sep 2009 14:30:02 -0400, Jim Henderson <nos### [at] nospamcom> wrote:

>
>I find I'm actually using both the touchpad and the tablet; the touchpad 
>is on the keyboard tray, but the tablet's too big for the tray - so if I 
>am working on something that uses the keyboard extensively, I'm tending 
>not to use the tablet.  I definitely need to rearrange things on my desk 
>a little. :-)
>

I found that too so I bought a smaller one. I used ebay so it was not too
expensive.

>And a wrist-rest would probably also be useful, as I otherwise end up 
>resting my hand on the edge of the desk, which is glass.

Yes, I've found that too especially at work as I move from project to project.
In the meantime you can use a small folded hand towel. I know that we all carry
one ;)
-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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On Sat, 19 Sep 2009 09:12:50 +0100, Stephen wrote:

> On 18 Sep 2009 14:30:02 -0400, Jim Henderson <nos### [at] nospamcom> wrote:
> 
> 
>>I find I'm actually using both the touchpad and the tablet; the touchpad
>>is on the keyboard tray, but the tablet's too big for the tray - so if I
>>am working on something that uses the keyboard extensively, I'm tending
>>not to use the tablet.  I definitely need to rearrange things on my desk
>>a little. :-)
>>
>>
> I found that too so I bought a smaller one. I used ebay so it was not
> too expensive.

In my case it's not that the desk isn't big enough, just that there's too 
much clutter.  Maybe I'll clean it up this afternoon. :-)

>>And a wrist-rest would probably also be useful, as I otherwise end up
>>resting my hand on the edge of the desk, which is glass.
> 
> Yes, I've found that too especially at work as I move from project to
> project. In the meantime you can use a small folded hand towel. I know
> that we all carry one ;)

Hey, that's a good idea, and I have one right here...of course, it's 
autographed so I probably don't want to use it for that... ;-)

Jim

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On 19 Sep 2009 14:46:45 -0400, Jim Henderson <nos### [at] nospamcom> wrote:

>
>In my case it's not that the desk isn't big enough, just that there's too 
>much clutter.  Maybe I'll clean it up this afternoon. :-)
>

And did you? :P

>>>And a wrist-rest would probably also be useful, as I otherwise end up
>>>resting my hand on the edge of the desk, which is glass.
>> 
>> Yes, I've found that too especially at work as I move from project to
>> project. In the meantime you can use a small folded hand towel. I know
>> that we all carry one ;)
>
>Hey, that's a good idea, and I have one right here...of course, it's 
>autographed so I probably don't want to use it for that... ;-)

Show off ;)
-- 

Regards
     Stephen

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