http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/ Engadget Comments for Microsoft goes DDR with "Step User Interface" http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 10:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 11:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 11:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
Was this a problem?]]>Mar 1st 2006 11:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
Little harsh don't you think? Innovating means coming up with a bunch of stupid things before coming up with a great idea.

As stupid as this looks at first, I could see this having application to people to use during demos and presentations to free up their hands.

Or handicapped people who don't have arms could use this.]]>Mar 1st 2006 11:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
no carpal tunnel syndrome; quick access; possibly more efficient than a mouse for bringing up commonly used applications (no more searching for the print button - just drag your foot left and right). sure it's really wacky, but hey, who would have thought people would navigate their computers with a little red knob before IBM came up with the Thinkpad? or navigate their music collection with a round touchpad, for that matter ;)]]>Mar 1st 2006 11:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
Awesome!]]>Mar 1st 2006 11:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 11:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
Obesity epidemic, sedentary lifestyles, fat kids? Nah... just a tiny one.]]>Mar 1st 2006 11:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 11:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 12:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
But then, Microsoft is a success story in growing a busines - not in technological innovation. To expect anything else from them is unrealistic.

Funny how Apple's worst can still seem better than Microsoft's best. ]]>Mar 1st 2006 12:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 12:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/looks stupid though and engadget called it a dancemat thats y we cant take it seriously.
if it had a brished chrome finish and didnt have fluorescent colours in it, then i reckon peoples reactions would be different.
it would be like having more keys on your keyboard...and having 2 more arms to use them.
i dont think it will ever take off, but maybe for graphic designers or something who could zoom and move pics with their feet, whilst editing with their hands. (if this is totaly wrong i apologise, as i have NO idea about graphic designers)]]>Mar 1st 2006 12:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 12:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
OR

"In case of frozen system, place right foot firmly on blue."
Gives new meaning to the term "reBOOT". Wokka wokka!]]>Mar 1st 2006 12:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
Did Microsoft really come up with this or is it a hoax? I can't believe anyone is that stupid. There are so many things wrong with this from an interface control standpoint (no pun intended) that it's rediculous.

Hope you like hopping on one foot to keep going left...

Better not put both feet down and stand on it or it might fritz out.

I'm gonna go with my instinct and say this is a hoax. And someome was playing with a DDR pad and a HDPC Because it is just not humanly possibly that Microsoft is this retarded and could actually take this idea seriously.]]>Mar 1st 2006 12:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
OHHH yeah.. that's right, that's another one of Apple's innovative products..

Oh hell no..

MS/Apple, two sides of the same coin...]]>Mar 1st 2006 12:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
Remember that Apple makes new products, not new ideas. MS often just makes new products, not new ideas. But MS Research makes new ideas.]]>Mar 1st 2006 12:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://engadget.com/2004/11/22/collabolla-collaborative-pac-man/)

http://www.collabolla.com/]]>Mar 1st 2006 12:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 12:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 12:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 12:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
DDR pad + joystick->keyboard mapper = 8 (or 10) extra keys under your desk...

u/d = pgup/pgdn
l/r = scroll left/right, tab forward and back
ul/ur = navigate forward/back
bl+br = boss button!
start = start button
select = task switcher?

Would be handy for games too, not as much moving your fingers off WASD for less-often-accessed buttons.]]>Mar 1st 2006 12:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 1:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
Bob Bob Revolution!]]>Mar 1st 2006 1:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 2:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
ipod hifi is comparable to $1000 systems, hence, will sell..

the mini is interesting because of the ability to stream media from other pcs/macs in the house and it's remote control etc.

do your research]]>Mar 1st 2006 2:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 2:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
All MS did was write a basic UI to take the same joystick inputs... Oh yeah, with an interface like this, it must have taken them all of 5 minutes to throw together...

Red Octane (the main company who makes these mats) must be laughing themselves silly.]]>Mar 1st 2006 2:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 2:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 3:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
USB Dualbox (search on google)
DDR Mat (Logitech)

I even played pro evolution soccer with this
IT's terribly awkward, its good for a few laughs

Then i combined mouse and DDR mat in counterstrike so i could walk around whilst shoot with mouse... it was quite funny..!]]>Mar 1st 2006 4:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 4:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
True, a $99 lether case is an insult. A lack of sales should slap them on the wrist. However they are not trying to repeatedly sell me God-awful beta software as if it were a finished product - for hundreds of dollars a pop. This would be fine if the updates were optional, but as anyone who's owned a wintel box knows, they never are.
I grew up on microsoft machines since the 08086 days. Then I learned to program. Then I got a look at Microsoft's awful API's. Then I was introduced to UNIX and realized that it is NOT normal for a system to be as unstable and inconsistent as windows. That software revisions should generaly make the same hardware perform better - not worse (game-consoles are the most obvious example of this principle in action.)
Then I gave OSX a look and learned that powerful does not mean complicated. It is known that the best solution - even the correct solution - to a problem is almost always the simplest one. This is not limited to a UI design - even in software, or hardware, or mechanical engineering - complexity is almost always bad and best avoided.

Microsoft is a business. Software just happens to be their product - but it is by no means their craft. Business is their craft.

As a company, Apple is certainly not perfect or innocent. They do, however have researchers who tend to forge new territory on the software, hardware, and human-machine interface fronts - and it is often territory that was worth entering. In short, they very often push the state of the art that others end up aspiring to. Microsoft half-heartedly copies them and others, and flops around like a fish out of watter in the meantime. Research is one thing. Flailing aimlesly is quite another. Dead ends happen, but track records are telling. It is hard to credit Microsoft as an R&D house when the majority of their "successes" stand on the shoulders of work done external to them - work that they cobble together into a buggy mess. Their inability to fix their own mess is also telling - and indeed, helps them sell the next "upgrade" since they have most people thinking that this is "normal" for "complex" software.

Their craft is marketing and business. And that's it.


#21

Your grasp of "technological advancement" is clearly second to none.



#29

Sweet reference!



#32

Not that you yourself have done this, but I grow tired of people who "read" posts like mine, and assume I'm an Apple fanboy.]]>Mar 1st 2006 4:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/I thought so. Until yesterday.]]>Mar 1st 2006 4:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
or MS's dancepad?

i'd go with the dancepad, if only to laugh when all the fatso's try to surf the net.]]>Mar 1st 2006 5:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 1st 2006 5:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 2nd 2006 12:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/"...this could be really helpful for people without arms and such, and since its being made by microsoft you won't have problems configuring it and such"

No?? How you gonna plug it in without any arms?]]>Mar 2nd 2006 2:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 2nd 2006 4:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
What they should really do: combine DDR with eyetoy. A geek disaster waiting to happen ;)]]>Mar 2nd 2006 6:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/Mar 2nd 2006 8:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/01/microsoft-goes-ddr-with-step-user-interface/
A foot operated user interface will also be enjoyed by people learning to play an instrument. Many other uses will be adopted I am sure.

-- I want to thank the Microsoft crew that finally brought this forth.]]>Mar 15th 2006 4:30PM