What is your favorite input method?

[Ed Hansberry]

I am curious. What is the input method you use the most?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/inputmethods.gif" /><br /><br />Your Pocket PC comes with several different methods, and you can buy a few others. There are the new thumb-keyboards. For this discussion, I am excluding full or mini-keyboards because they require a desk or at least you to be sitting to use and are intended more for heads down work, not updating a task, inputting a contact or firing off a quick email. The new thumb keyboards, especially the Jornada's, integrate more or less into device and you can use them anywhere, anytime.<br /><br />Click on the "Add your thoughts" link below and cast your vote.

[JoeThielen]

Definately the QWERTY on-screen keyboard (small keys).

I tried using the transcriber/character recognizer, as well as the FITALY methods, but just couldn't get used to them.

Good ole' QWERTY seems to work fine :)

[sesummers]

The character recognizer is too flexible and makes too many mistakes with my not very neat left handed handwriting. But the block recognizer makes almost no mistakes. It also handles punctuation that the character recognizer requires you to use the stupid little punctuation keyboard for.

In fact, block recognizer is probably my favorite new feature in PPC2002.

[iPAUL]

I just got my iPAQ 3850 two months ago (Love it). Prior to that I was a 3-year Palm user. Over that 3 year period I became fluent in the Graphitti method of text entry on the Palm.

I was absolutely tickled when I found out I didn't have to re-learn a new character set for Pocket PC. Block Recognizer is amazing.

iPAUL :wink:

[Aceze]

I guess you can put me down for Transcriber, but it's quite a bit inferior to the full Calligrapher 6 suite.

I'm still waiting/hoping for Calligrapher with learn-able (modifiable) stroke patterns.

Aceze

[JamesM]

In this order:
1. Calligrapher
2. QWERTY (If number intensive input is required)
3. AccessPanel

BTW I regret the purchase of my HP Pocket Keyboard.

JamesM

[topps]

For those who spend the time getting to know the Fitaly layout, it pays off big time in terms of speed. It takes about 2 hours to get comfortable with the layout and about a day to become proficient. After that, any of my users who have spent the time getting to know it have never gone back.

The new version 3 has some neat new 'sliding' features - slide in various directions on a character to produce other characters or even whole macros. Wonderful. eg. I have set up mine so that I can slide downwards on 'd' for today's date. I can slide down on 'h' for 'http://' or 'w' for 'www.' or 't' for my email address '[email protected]'. It also has a separate macro function which works like old WordPerfect macros - any combo of chars followed by the macro button can produce any text including multiline text.

The layout is optimised for pen input so once you get used to it, your stylus tends to drift across series of characters that commonly occur together eg 'ion', - when you go back to using the qwerty layout, it is striking how much farther you have to move the stylus across the keyboard. (And no, it doesn not affect your ten finger touch typing).

We have done some speed testing on our users - most users average 20-25 words/min with Graffiti or Qwerty but after a little practice, 40 wpm is common with Fitaly.

Highly recommended. BTW, I have no vested interest in Fitaly - this is entirely unsolicited.

dt
www.pocketprof.org

[ctitanic]

What about wordlogic (www.wordlogic.net). Use it and I like the capability of guessing the words using an English or Spanish dictionary if I need it. Also I can set it as a default input method so I don't have to change it back after a softreset.
8)

[djl]

I've tried them all, but I still come back to the plain old keyboard (small).

In order:

small keyboard

Calligrapher (comes in handy for some handwriting needs; also, the newer versions have a popup keyboard that I'll use, too)

Thumb keyboard (for longer text input)

Foldable keyboard (tried but never use anymore due to the fact that the keys are too plasticy and the keyboard doesn't lock in place -- it tends to bend).

Regards.

[RickP in AZ]

In order:
1. Transcriber
2. Typango
3. QWERTY Large Keys/Gestures, w/ word complete

Even though I'm a leftie, I get excellent results with Transcriber.

RickP in AZ

[entropy1980]

Character recoginizer as I can fire off sentences as fast as I can draw the letters, I have had too much trouble with Transcriber.....

[Ed Hansberry]

For those who spend the time getting to know the Fitaly layout, it pays off big time in terms of speed.

Amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen. :lol:

I am up around 40wpm with FITALY. Sweet.

[brntcrsp]

Normally for notes, emails and such I use Transcriber, but for those oh so tricky passwords and web addresses I either use the HP Pocket Keyboard, or Keyboard.

Longer compositions are done on the aforementioned PocketKB.

[dunneldeen]

In order of Preference:

1. Letter Recognizer (great for note taking, not good for when you can't see what you are typing, ie passwords.)
2. WordLogic
3. Keyboard

I used Fitaly for a little while, and started to get pretty good, but I prefer Letter Recognizer for mass entry and it was too limited for the other functions.

[seatec]

1. FITALY
2. Calligrapher

I use FITALY for data entry and quick notes, but Calligrapher 6 for writing anything longer than a few lines.
Also use D1 Access panel and RapidCalc occasionally

usually get 30-40 WPM on FITALY

[Ed Hansberry]

2. Typango

GOOGLEWHACK! :lol:

I typed in "typango keyboard" at Google and got only one response. Not sure if that is an official googlewhack since typango isn't in the dictionary though.....

[Steven Cedrone]

In order:

1) Transcriber
2) QWERTY (small keys) keyboard

Steve

[adamz]

1. Calligrapher
2. Fitaly

Sometimes you have to switch out Calligrapher to do actual user interface related things since sometimes it thinks your writing, when you're really scrollin'.

[johnbeat]

FITALY is your only man. Tried everything else, but I always come back to FITALY. Takes a bit of getting used to, but it's like riding a bike - once you've got it, you've got it for good. Definitely worth the effort.

[welmoed]

I've been working with Fitaly and really like it, although I am still on the upside of the learning curve. I like the slide-to-capitalize feature, as well as being able to use both symbols and numbers without having to go to a different menu.

I tried using a handwriting recognition program but didn't like that I had to pause after each letter to make sure it was "read" correctly.

--Welmoed

[CME2C]

1. Transcriber
2. Fitaly

I'm just curious, is there a way to make Transcriber the default Keyboard?? I know there is a way to make Fitaly the default.

[Jason Lee]

I use character recognizer the most. I am faster with keyboard/large keys/guestures but it is very hard to use while walking. (Yes, I input data while walking... :) )
I used transcriber for a while but it makes too many mistakes and it is very difficult to correct them. I still use it at times for lengthy emails and such while I am sitting still.
Love my clip on ipaq thumb board as well. (and of course the new folding keyboard)
I always use keyboard/large keys/guestures when I am using terminal services or jslandscape.

Maybe I should try Fitaly... I tapped on a a pictire in Pocket PC Magazine for a while at Barns and Noble once. Seemed pretty intuitive.

[MacBirdie]

My favorite input method is the InterWrite Recognizer from SunnySoft (www.sunnysoft.cz), it's a modified Character Recognizer which supports Polish diacritical characters but it's IRC chat where software keyboard comes in (small keys with gestures - FAST!)

[Don't Panic!]

I use the pen in notes. Is that the same as character recognizer?

Don't Panic!
Bobby

[raweaver]

I came from a Palm, and had used the keyboard before PPC2K2. After the upgrade, I have been using Block Transcriber. I had problems with Transcriber (probably because of my bad handwriting), so I'm happy with Block Transcriber.

[KLM568]

In this order:
1. Calligrapher
2. QWERTY (If number intensive input is required)
3. AccessPanel

BTW I regret the purchase of my HP Pocket Keyboard.

JamesM


OT a little but, James, try the HPHotKey (http://www.stellarmetrics.com/Software/HotKey/hotkey.htm) program. I, like you, also regreted my purchase until I loaded this little jewl. I can now navigate my PPC without stopping to pick up my stylist soo much.

1. HP Pocket Keyboard
2. Fitaly


Regards,
KLM568

[JamesM]

OT a little but, James, try the HPHotKey program. I, like you, also regreted my purchase until I loaded this little jewl. I can now navigate my PPC without stopping to pick up my stylist soo much

Yep, I bought it and agree that it makes the keyboard itself more usable. My issue is that I found out I don't like typing with my thumbs all that much. Not hp's or StellarMetric's fault at all. I think the keyboard LOOKS great.

James

[Rob Alexander]

Definitely FITALY! Once you learn it, it's the fastest possible pen-based way of entering information. I'm at about 40 words per minute and I don't hesitate to write emails or notes while I travel or whatever. It's definitely worth the trouble to learn. And it's not all that much trouble. If you use it frequently, you'll be comfortable within the week. They even have some tutorials on their web site that they claim are designed specifically to help you learn it.

There's one situation where I'm not comfortable with FITALY, however, and for that I use Trabscriber. When I'm in a meeting and everyone else has paper pads to take notes on, I feel a bit rude staring intently at my PPC as I tap away on FITALY. It's like you're removing yourself from the discussion be never looking up and meeting people's eyes. So I use Transcriber for that, as I can use it very much like a regular pad of paper. It's not all that accurate (perhaps because it's not my every day method), but it's fine for taking notes in meetings.

And even though it's not within the scope of the original question, I'll still give an honorable mention to my Stowaway keyboard. It's absolutely brilliant when I travel so that I can input some real serious text, take extensive notes during professional conferences, etc.

My order of usage would be the order I discussed them in: 1) FITALY, 2) Transcriber and 3) Stowaway.

[JonnoB]

Character Recognizer: It is nearly 100% accurate, does have block-style shorthand capabilities and is usable for quick corrections.

With all of the positive comments on Fitaly, I may give it a try.

The QWERTY input is too analog for my geek brain and I have so far, refused to use it.

I really like the concept of Transcriber, and it does a decent job at recognition, but it is terrible at making corrections, so I often switch input modes and easily give up after a short while.

[[Cruzer]]

Since im an ex-newton user I prefer using transcriber. Its works for most things I do and it has not problem recognizing my hand writing.

[crashdau]

I prefer to use My Script from www.visionobjects.com. When I remember to switch back to it after a soft-reset.

[JonnoB]

When I remember to switch back to it after a soft-reset.


Just save your setting

[Timothy Rapson]

Fitaly, I hope I can get it on my next PDA. Really like it. That, a little thumboard like on the Zaurus (and on the next Toshiba from what the Newspapers said last Sunday), and a Stowaway and all the bases would be covered for me.

[Hugh Nano]

Well, the FITALY crowd are certainly the most vocal, if not the most numerous.

I use my Stowaway folding keyboard for about 90% of my input--it is wonderful!

After the Stowaway, I use the small keys keyboard (my vote in the poll) with use of gestures enabled, then Transcriber. I used to use Transcriber more often, but then timed myself with both Transcriber and the keyboard, and found that I get about 20wpm on both (including corrections), but the keyboard felt somehow less frustrating.

[PDAlien]

Calligrapher is excellent. I especially like being able to make macros to paste in whole lines of text or do other functions. For example, if I highlight a portion of text, then draw a C with a circle around it, I have it setup to do a COPY command. Then I can do a P with a circle around it for PASTE. Awesome!

And SIGN with a circle around it pastes my entire multiline signature. You can even have it launch programs! Very nice.

The only thing is that sometimes it doesn't recognize certain words due to my handwriting. FOr example, my cat's name is Artemis. It usually comes out ARTERIES! :D So We're now calling him that! And my other cat, Kramer, sometimes comes out TUNER. Hehehe!

[Aceze]

Calligrapher is excellent. I especially like being able to make macros to paste in whole lines of text or do other functions. For example, if I highlight a portion of text, then draw a C with a circle around it, I have it setup to do a COPY command. Then I can do a P with a circle around it for PASTE. Awesome!


Dude, you didnt have to make macros for Copy and Paste - they're built in gestures with Calligrapher (and much faster than using the macro method as well) - go read the help on Calligrapher, you wont regret it.

I do like macros though - especially for putting in the date and addresses and such things.


The only thing is that sometimes it doesn't recognize certain words due to my handwriting. FOr example, my cat's name is Artemis. It usually comes out ARTERIES! :D So We're now calling him that! And my other cat, Kramer, sometimes comes out TUNER. Hehehe!


One weakness of Calligrapher/Transcriber is entering names (ie. non-dictionary words) - it will always try to match it to a word (unless you write VERY clearly). The way around this is to add all the names that you use into the dictionary (double click the word to highlight, do a down-up motion and "Add to dictionary"). Next time you write the name out, it will find it in the dictionary, and it'll be picked up perfectly.

Aceze

[eosd30]

[quote=PDAlien]
Calligrapher is excellent. I especially like being able to make macros to paste in whole lines of text or do other functions. For example, if I highlight a portion of text, then draw a C with a circle around it, I have it setup to do a COPY command. Then I can do a P with a circle around it for PASTE. Awesome!


I have a macro set up so that if I draw a W with a circle around it, it types out "www..com" and all I have to do is insert the appropriate text in between the periods. Helps when surfing and when writing out emails that contain a web address!

BTW, I love Calligrapher. I downloaded Typango the other day and was sorely disappointed. I will give it another try but I really think they should offer a demo version - I feel gypped, I wish I could have tried it out before I bought it.

In case some of you may not be aware, you can write pretty much an entire email on Calli without waiting for it to catch up and recognize. I used to pause every time I had filled the screen with my writing so that Calli could take over and recognize, but now when I run out of screen space I just go back to the top of the screen and continue writing over the stuff I had already written. It doesn't seem to affect recognition at all. After recognition, you can always just go over the text and tweak any errors or add any new words to the dictionary.

Vic

[lderooy]

Transcriber 90% of the time. Switch to small keyboard to edit when Transcriber just doesn't get it.

[xandro]

Took me a while to actually buy (http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&jid=4EE922AX248348X4FE2D448B7XXX2329&platformId=2&productType=2&productId=20746&sectionId=0&catalog=30) the darn thing but the day after it expired and I was forced to use the large-key keyboard, I just knew I had to have it. Plus I bought TapRate (http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&jid=4EE922AX248348X4FE2D448B7XXX2329&platformId=2&productType=2&productId=25044&sectionId=0&catalog=30) (a FITALY-letris, Giraffe-type program) as well to learn how to use FITALY much faster and I have to say it certainly did. :) Lastly, InputTweaker5.1 (http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&jid=4EE922AX248348X4FE2D448B7XXX2329&platformId=2&productType=2&productId=16091&sectionId=0&catalog=30), a program that can set your preferred input method in your PocketPC, just recently became free!

Try 'em out. You'll certainly see the difference in speed compared to any other SIP method. ;)

[Sven Johannsen]

Calligraher's full pop-up keyboard, which also supports special characters (like the Euro), and is movable up and down the screen makes it unnecessary for any SIP other than it. That gives me the excellent handwriting recognition , instantly coupled with a soft keyboard. Jotting notes or entering passwords, I never have to change input apps. I know there is a reason for passwords to not be displayed in their input boxes, but I really like being able to see what I am putting in when I use Calligrapher's keyboard.

[PDAlien]

Thanks for the Calligrapher tips, Aceze! Sounds like I need to dig deeper and really feel the power! :wink:

[helloboys]

I use Calligrapher for most note taking. If I expect to enter a lot of data, I'll use a Targus Stowaway keyboard. If I'm dealing a lot with numbers, I'll use Character Recogniser. If I need to enter passwords, I'll use the on-screen Keyboard.

[Will T Smith]

For those who spend the time getting to know the Fitaly layout, it pays off big time in terms of speed. It takes about 2 hours to get comfortable with the layout and about a day to become proficient. After that, any of my users who have spent the time getting to know it have never gone back.

The new version 3 has some neat new 'sliding' features - slide in various directions on a character to produce other characters or even whole macros. Wonderful. eg. I have set up mine so that I can slide downwards on 'd' for today's date. I can slide down on 'h' for 'http://' or 'w' for 'www.' or 't' for my email address '[email protected]'. It also has a separate macro function which works like old WordPerfect macros - any combo of chars followed by the macro button can produce any text including multiline text.

The layout is optimised for pen input so once you get used to it, your stylus tends to drift across series of characters that commonly occur together eg 'ion', - when you go back to using the qwerty layout, it is striking how much farther you have to move the stylus across the keyboard. (And no, it doesn not affect your ten finger touch typing).

We have done some speed testing on our users - most users average 20-25 words/min with Graffiti or Qwerty but after a little practice, 40 wpm is common with Fitaly.

Highly recommended. BTW, I have no vested interest in Fitaly - this is entirely unsolicited.

dt
www.pocketprof.org


I second this post. Fitaly DOES take some dedication to become proficient. However, you have to "immerse" yourself and cut yourself off from other input methodologies during the transition.

Once you do, you will find Fitaly to be so much faster as the layout is optimized for pen output. QWERTY is optimized (not as well as Dvorak)for 10 finger input. The QWERTY keyboard will be easier in the beginning since your already familiar. However, unwillingness to learn new concepts and ideas will lead you to obsolescense and the "grumpy old man" syndrome.

The slide feature on Fitaly is absoluetly awesome. It eliminates SOOO many keyclicks.

----------------------

Other methods:

2) Calligrapher. This is much better for longer documents. It sucks at editing forms because there is no sentence context to guide it's recognition. URL entry is impossible since no URL will EVER appear in a dictionary.

3) Character Recognizer. Character recognizer originally directed me to WinCE instead of Palm. I have no desire to learn an entirely new script. Though, I am more than willing to modify my writing style for better recognition. I assume that those changes will (and they HAVE) made it easier for people to read as well.

4) Access Panel. Great for inserting, name phone numbers and addresses. It solves a fundamental problem that cut & paste is often a pain in the ass, especially when only one "window" can be open.

---------------------------------
Generic point:

English letters are terribly ambiguous. We suffice because we have a much greater ability to decipher CONTEXT. Additionally, we can "re-interpret" as we go. In other words, as we read through a sentence or paragraph, it can become obvious whether a letter is an 'a' or an 'o'.

I believe that eventually computers will change the way we print. Our lettering will morph in order to make it easier for computers AND people to decipher markings.

Calligrapher wise ... programs must maintain an "active" connection to "sentence" recognition systems. The connection must be "two-way" and be multi-state. The recognizer may see two or three words, it must present them to the application as it may be able to choose the appropriate one for the situation. Grammer recognition is also appropriate in this situation. The user should be able to intervene at any point to direct a "re-interpretation". The system should learn through the user's "correction" process how the user types.

Ok, I'm tired of typing. Message over.

[Will T Smith]

BTW,

I think that Fitaly based "thumb-boards" would be SOOOO cool.

If they focused on ergomic convenience (small a stylish) I think they would be a HUGE success. Especially among the Palm crowd who have a much bigger exposure to the Fitaly input method.

I think they really are sitting on a gold mine, especially where Smart-Phones are concerned. A fitaly thumb-board could fit into a smart-phone where a QWERTY keyboard has the wrong dimesions.

Keep up the good work Fitaly. Release some hard electronics and then license the method. You'll make millions.

[jsjxyz]

I tried Wordlogic input method expecting to be like T9 (the one that I really love from my Philips Nino), but the keyboard is too small thus it required extra concentration in pressing the screen.
Then I come back again to "letter recognizer"

[QYV]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Transcriber is fantastic! I trained myself to be decent on Grafitti when I had a Palm, but once I saw an iPAQ with Transcriber I was hooked. For passwords, I do what I would guess most folks do, which is switch input methods to the keyboard (this is particularly necessary when the password is hidden).

I hear lots of good things about Fitaly, but it's very difficult to imagine any such keyboard improving upon my handwriting speed (which, while I haven't measured it, is pretty darn fast).

[Ed Hansberry]

BTW,

I think that Fitaly based "thumb-boards" would be SOOOO cool.

Not sure about that. It was designed for single digit entry. Throwing two against the keyboard wouldn't make sense. The keys almost always right next to each other in the center. Your thumbs would be bumping up against each other all of the time.

Another arrangement would need to be made with the most common key on the center left, the 2nd most common on the center right, etc. Split it up.

Lay your PPC down and grab a 2nd stylus. See if you get more speed. I doubt you will.

[Jean Ichbiah]

BTW,

[quote]I think that Fitaly based "thumb-boards" would be SOOOO cool.

Not sure about that. It was designed for single digit entry. Throwing two against the keyboard wouldn't make sense. The keys almost always right next to each other in the center. Your thumbs would be bumping up against each other all of the time.

In the Dom Perignon contest, the record was held almost until the end by someone who was tapping with two pens and that may have overcome the problem Ed is mentioning. (We were quite relieved when his record was broken in the last week since our impression was that he had somewhat stretched the rules of the contest.)

About Thumb-boards, I am unconvinced. Most of them require too much pressure to press keys. My conjecture is that on the Dom Perignon test, it will be difficult to go over 40 to 45 wpm with a thumbboard.

Besides, there is the "transportation model" objection against thumboards. The idea is that whenever you need to use two modes of transportation, you lose at the changes: you drive to the train station but spend 10 minutes parking and another 10 waiting for the train.

The same applies when you are on a device where major actions are done with the pen. If you do everything with the pen, you are bound to be faster than when you alternate between pen an thumbs. The Blackberry avoids the problem by never using the pen.

[Ed Hansberry]

The same applies when you are on a device where major actions are done with the pen. If you do everything with the pen, you are bound to be faster than when you alternate between pen an thumbs. The Blackberry avoids the problem by never using the pen.

Interesting on the dual stylus input. I never would have guessed.

I think Thumb-keyboards will be more useful when the PPC OS itself is geared more towards key'd input so you don't need the stylus for everything. My understanding is the new Sharp 5500 has much of its functionality usable from hotkeys in its thumb keyboard.

Thanks for stopping by Jean. Great to see developers monitoring this site. :-)

[Dave Conger]

I would be interested to try the input method put out by exideas called MessagEase. I guess it is similar to Fitaly, but it just looks interesting. To bad they don't have a PPC version. http://www.exideas.com/

[JonnoB]

I would be interested to try the input method put out by exideas called MessagEase. I guess it is similar to Fitaly, but it just looks interesting. To bad they don't have a PPC version. http://www.exideas.com/


I tried the demo on this site... and it looks like it is designed more for a phone (touch key) interface even though there is key stroking involved. I actually wouldn't mind a T9 style touch input with word auto-completion like the character recognizer.

[Jean Ichbiah]

Interesting on the dual stylus input. I never would have guessed.


Here is a link to the message by Jared Feddersen, although at this time he had not yet made his technique public:
http://fitaly.com/board/domperignon/posts/122.html

Fortunately, two other entries came to show that the best finger (or hand) can do better than the average of two, since this is not a piano and you only use one at a time.

[Bond]

When I'm doing alot of entry, I'll pull out my Targus fold-out (unfortunately, I'm still waiting for UPS to deliver my 3800 adapter), but other than that, I absolutely LOVE transcriber, and when I'm in a tap happy mode, I'll use the small on-screen QWERTY.

[erwinfranz]

With FITALY I type between 30 and 40 WPM with it and I know I could do better if I used it more.

Practicing "Now is the time for all good man to come to the aid of their country" I was able to achieve 60 WPM with FITALY.

Is far better than the standard PPC keyboard because instead of tapping all over the keyboard (since it was designed for 10 finger typing) it's optimized for stylus entry, keeping the most commonly used keys in the center minimizing pen travel.

As far as calligraphy type of entry, my opinion is: It's faster to make a single tap to generate a character than having to press, slide in one direction, then slide in a different direction (one step as opposed to three).

It takes a little while getting used to the different layout but the gain is speed is definitely worth the effort.

I recommend it to anyone who's serious about fast entry.

You can try it FREE for 30 days, play with all the features (fully customizable) and then decide.

I'm in no way related to the company that makes FITALY but some things in life are just worth their weight (should I say code?) in gold :-)