Microsoft is desperate for gamers to adopt Windows SideShow
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted May 20th 2009 4:53PM
posted May 20th 2009 4:53PM
Microsoft really, really wants to convince you that in the high stakes world of multiple displays, SideShow is the only way to go. To that end, the company has put together a little white paper meant to sell us on the idea of using their product to for extra screen real estate as you flail about Azeroth (or whatever it is that you do in your free time). And it's not like we need to be sold on the concept -- we love our Mimo as much as the next guy or gal -- but as wary as companies have been of this technology, we're guessing that it'll take more than some fancy Photoshoppin' to get hardware vendors on board. But who knows? Hit the read link to discover all of Microsoft's thoughts on the subject.
[Via SlashGear]
[Via SlashGear]
How about a way for the OS to "partition" your current screen display for certain apps.
Both ATI and nvidia supply that with their drivers, although I do think it's a bit limited, and last time I tried the nvidia one also buggy.
I know there are also 3rd party apps but that doesn't excuse MS, but free stuff that comes with the graphicsdrivers anyway does sort of excuse MS not thinking they need to do an effort I feel, since they could conclude everybody is provided for already, although a MS effort would give all program makers something steady and confirmed to work with so it would still be better.
Looks pretty handy for players
I was just thinking about SideShow yesterday as a possible addition to a project that I'm planning. I'm planning on building myself a SFF computer out of wood and hooking it up to my HDTV. An ideal solution would have a small touchscreen on the computer itself that I can use as a media player. I wouldn't want it to be a second monitor in the traditional sense but a simple applet to be used when I don't want to turn on my TV but still want to listen to my music.
Is this even possible with SideShow? Is there some other way to homebrew (for cheap) something without writing my own program?
Screw it. I'd have to make the case bigger to accomodate the screen and I'd have to loop back one of the video ports to the inside of the case and I can't find a screen small enough and.... it's just not worth it.
How about the moncaso 932 shown here:
http://mediacenterpcworld.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/moneual-932t1.jpg
Thanks for the link, but I like the idea of building this myself and having it made of stained wood. Also, it's going to be a small 10" x 7" x 3.5" and have 2 DVD-RWs (unlike the link).
I like the idea of a second screen for menus, but without a touchscreen of it's own, you have to use your mouse to control what's happening on that second screen, which takes you away from the action on the main screen. I like my little Mimo monitor, but they don't have the touchscreen version anymore, and it doesn't seem like anyone else is going to make one either. So without a touchscreen on that second screen, accessing those menus is going to be pretty hard... really not even worth the trouble.
So what exactly comes after this? An amazing advancement in technology allowing for everything to be displayed on one larger screen? Oh wait, that's what windows in graphical user interfaces were made for.
What is an Azeroth?
Grandpa, is that you?
Sorry, I don't play WOW. That post was for the people who play all the other cool stuff instead.
give me an 9 inch 840x480 oled touchscreen for $200 that i can use for menu /option selection and to get other player stats. I'll take an LCD, just has to look great.
and TOUCHSCREEN.
I already have the freedom of a second display, for which i didn't pay the MS premium and it comes without any of the inevitable proprietary extras.
Seriously Microsoft, give us some of that TouchTable action in the form of an updated Sidewinder device reincarnation already so we can put the opposite hand to work effectively.
i often humored that EVE online should sell a second monitor with a resolution of 500x7000 just for the overview in fleet fights
Even if a manufacturer would I bet windows would choke madly on that unusual resolution, as would the graphics drivers, sigh
Sorry but I'm all adopted out.. Especially when it comes to any M$ products. I never thought I'd see the day but Thank God I am finally able to say that everyone in this house is free of M$ forever..
I think the key to really pushing this technology into the 'gamer' market segment is the monitor being touch compatible. Does it make technical sense? No. Will it sell the product? Yes.
Where's Sideshow gone in Windows 7?
Can't seem to find it.
Heh this from the same company that can't figure out how to add the taskbar to a second monitor, umm pass.
I can't believe you guys can accept awards for technology critiques with such a bias. You and every other engadget follower knows that if that particular proposition was made by anyone else than Microsoft you would have only positive things to say.
What MS should really do is make a way to allow ANY second monitor to be used this way. The game devs could develop for the second monitor using vector-based graphics, so all the info could scale nicely to different screens and also optionally allow room for 3rd party apps, such as chat apps, music players, and browsers.
Windows Sideshow and Windows Media Extender. It could have been beautiful. :-(
not really, I run 4 monitors at a total resolution of over 5500x1600 with two average graphics cards and it works flawlessly in xp, vista, and 7. I've heard of much greater resolutions and am overall very pleased with M$ increasing support for multiple monitors.
i'm still waiting for that ricavision sideshow remote.... i think it was announced more than 2 years ago.
With Windows 7, some device-specific CPL's are hidden until you install the related hardware. The SideShow CPL is definitely in Windows 7, but you won't find any reference to it until you install a SideShow device. The SideShow simulator is available from MS Download in case you want to check it out.
Ricavision went out of business, so don't hold your breath on that Vave 100 remote.
Huh... Isn't that a Mod'd Dell Monitor?!
If you guys had actually bothered to read the whitepaper, it mentions that it would be a touchscreen. Which takes this from "useless midget monitor" to "awesome". As it would be used primarily for a HUD/UI hybrid, it doesn't need to be that big to begin with. Imagine being able to navigate through various menus in a 4E game while still being able to look at the overworld map while you're doing it. Being able to see the data on various cities/starbases/outputs/trade routes/diplomacy networks while looking at how they are affected by the geopolitical picture. Any strategy game, really, could greatly benefit from this. Or having something that has the status of your entire raid in a MMO and various actions to perform without having your graphics almost completely blocked by mods. This is a big deal, just like how the DS greatly improved the UI and control of portable gaming, but with, how do we say..... "real" games.
Sure, it's almost completely useless for FPSs, but eh.