FAQs - Operating systems and application-specific information
How do I use the touch screen with Linux?
Can I use the touch screen with an Apple computer?
Working with Macromedia Flash buttons
Application software missing mouse clicks
Extended or stretched Windows desktop (custom calibration points)
How do I use the touch screen with Linux?
For instructions, see the NextWindow Touch Screen Working on Linux page.
Can I use the touch screen with an Apple Mac computer?
Answer - NextWindow's touch screens that have a hardware calibration button will work with the Apple Mac. When ordering, make sure you specify that the touch screen is to be used with an Apple Mac computer. Go here for instructions.
Working with Macromedia Flash buttons
A Macromedia Flash application button sometimes has two states when used with a normal mouse - a rollover state and a click. To make sure that a touch on the touch screen is always interpreted as a click and not a rollover, you can either remove the rollover state from your Flash application code, or set the drag threshold of the touch screen to as low as possible (but not 0%).
To set the drag threshold, go to the Mouse tab in USB Config and set the drag threshold to 0.5%.
Macromedia Flash applications can also exhibit slow response to mouse clicks. See the topic Application Software Missing Mouse Clicks for a remedy for this issue.
Application software missing mouse clicks
Certain third-party software applications cannot keep up with the normal rate of reported mouse clicks from NextWindow's products, which is 120 Hz. This can result in the application missing a touch action by the user.
This issue can be avoided by turning on the 50 Hz or 60 Hz sync setting available in USB Config. This will result in less than 50 or 60 messages being sent to the application per second.
Note: This phenomenon is caused by the programming of the application software. It may not be exhibited by other manufacturer's touchscreens, due to their slower touch response.
Custom calibration points and extended or stretched desktop
Certain applications, such as those using two display screens, need to specify the location of the calibration points. This can be achieved using the Custom Calibration Points dialog, which can be accessed from USB Config by pressing SHIFT CTRL C simultaneously.
(0, 0) is top left of the display, and (32767, 32767) is the bottom right corner.
Enter the coordinates of the required calibration points, click [Apply], then click [Save] to save the settings to the touch screen firmware.
The [Left Half of Screen] button automatically sets the calibration points to values within the left half of the screen.
To return to default calibration point values, go to the General tab of USB Config, and drag the calibration offset slider to zero and then back to 13%. Then click [Save] to save the settings to the touch screen controller board.
For information on touch-enabling a Windows stretched desktop, see Setting up Two Touch Screens for Stretched Desktop.
For information on touch-enabling a Windows extended desktop, see Setting up Two Touch Screens for Extended Desktop.
NextWindow multi-touch API
NextWindow's touch Application Program Interface (API) provides programmers with access to touch data generated by a NextWindow touch screen. It also provides derived touch information. The API is in the form of a DLL that provides useful functions for application developers.
For further information, see NextWindow Two-Touch API.
General information
What is the touch accuracy over the whole screen?
NextWindow specifies accuracy for the 2403 model as "+- 2mm (for 40" screen) over 90% of the screen." The following diagram illustrates where on screen this specification applies. (Diagram not to scale.)
How long can the USB cable be?
NextWindow touch screens use USB version 1.1, which supports cable lengths up to 5 metres. For lengths greater than 5 metres, you can use a CAT5 > USB ------ CAT5 > USB extender. This will allow you to go to up to 45 metres. For cable lengths over 20 metres, make sure you use high quality grade cable.
How do I clean a NextWindow touch screen?
To clean the touch screen, use a lint-free, soft cloth dampened with standard, household glass cleaning solution as follows:
- Spray a small amount of glass cleaner onto the cloth.
- Wipe the glass of the touch screen to remove any dirt, dust, or finger marks.
- Wipe the clear acrylic surfaces around the edges of the screen.
- Remove any residual glass cleaner with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth.
WARNING
- Do not spray the cleaner directly onto the touch screen as this could leave residue on the optical surfaces.
- Do not use an abrasive cleaner or rough cloth as this could damage the optics.
Other issues
If none of the solutions helps with the problem, please contact support@nextwindow.com, making sure you list the serial number and model number of the touch screen.