Splurge on computer accessories!

[janestarz]

Since my paycheck arrived on the 15th, I splurged yesterday.
I've been having problems with RSI for years and years now. Never had it diagnosed either, don't ask me why.

I splurged on a Wacom tablet. The Bamboo!


Sleek and black in design.

Buying computer accessoiries is always tricky, because most of the computer things you buy in store comes with a cd for all your (windoze) drivers. Most of the time this stuff works on Mac as well. But Linux...it's always a gamble.
So we made tea when we got home, sat down with the laptop, plugged in the power cable, network cable and the USB of the tablet. To my surprise it was plug & play!

I guess it pays to pay for the standard. Wacom is known for its pen tablets so it's kind of logical that newer Linux varieties have incorperated drivers. I run friggin' Kubuntu for a reason!

And my computer experience just took a great leap forward. It's so much fun, working with a tablet. And I already see I'm changing my computer approach. I use hotkeys more because it's slightly more quick than going to the far bottom corner of the tablet. Mouse dragging (where you drag your mouse to one end of the mouse pad, lift it up, place it on the other end, and drag some more) is no longer necessary. The tablet is a perfect representation of the screen. With some practice I could operate my computer without having my monitor on.

The only downside I've found is that it doesn't work well with all games. The battle for Wesnoth is not a problem and works very well with a pen tablet, but Secret Maryo Chronicles and Breakout refuse to accept the input. It can't be the 'runs in a window' factor, for I play Wesnoth and Breakout in a window, and Maryo in full-screen low-resolution.
Ah well. It's not like I really need to use a 'mouse' for either game.

There's still some kinks to work out. This tablet cost me € 79,-- but the extra buttons aren't working, nor is the handy scrolling thing at the top. Unless we can get the LinuxWacom to work, we're not likely to fix this. And by 'we' I of course mean NoKey, since I can't code worth a damn. There's some dependencies that my laptop didn't have, and It Gets Complicated.
If we can't fix this, I might just exchange it for the slightly cheaper model with less buttons.

I did try a little GIMPing with the tablet and I can't believe the smooth lines I can make with this. Now where's Ursula's tutorial on how to create digital art, eh?

Also: go download, install and play Wesnoth. It's free and fun! I gotta support games that were originally intended for Linux systems. (For all other Ubuntu-like users: check your Adept or Package manager!)

Comments

[woran.livejournal.com]

A tablet has been on my 'want' list for years. I dont really need it, thats why I dont have one yet. And the few times that I do need it, I nick Marco's old one. But now I want one again! (im such a gadget nerd).

[steelweaver.livejournal.com]

I think we have a spare somewhere if you want to borrow it.

[woran.livejournal.com]

That would be nice, but I just have to make prioreties in my 'gadget' list and save some money to buy one myself. Its far less expensive then some of the photography gear I want.

[fyrane.livejournal.com]

I love wacoms! Have an intuos A5, myself ^^. You have a tutorial on making digital art? could you share please? :)

[janestarz.livejournal.com]

Ursula once made an image which tells you how to do some of the amazing stuff she does. It's here. (http://ursulav.deviantart.com/art/Scribbly-and-Ink-Tutorial-33116403)
You could probably google "tutorial +[insert image program here]". I know there's some amazing GIMP tutorials, but then you're probably a fotosoep user. =)

[fyrane.livejournal.com]

thanks! Yeah I have the fotosoep thingy.. But now I'm curious about GIMP :D I shall do le google on it ^^

[https://me.yahoo.com/maladignia#6d2f0 (from livejournal.com)]

Matthijs and I both use a Bamboo. Matthijs runs Debian, if I'm correct (not really into the non-windows thing) but I don't know if he uses the buttons.
On mine I have fotosoep on the right hotkey. My cats sometimes step on it...

I got the tablet because I was getting muscle sores from my mouse. A pen is much more natural to hold and makes you relax your hand and arm sooner than with a mouse.
I wish you a lot of fun with it. :)

~Brenda~

PS I tried Gimp ('cause it's open source) but found it lacking compared to fotosoep.

[janestarz.livejournal.com]

I agree that it's a lot easier to hold than a mouse! Using the buttons is still a bit of a challenge, though.

I can work both Gimp and fotosoep. I guess it's just what you're used to. When it comes to editing photo's, I know Ork (http://www.ork.be) uses the Gimp for his editing, and I know he makes some really beautiful things pop out of there! ;-)

[steelweaver.livejournal.com]

I cheat and use the GIMPshop plugin to make it look more like fotosoep.