Calligrapher Reviewer Shocked - Finds Program "Almost Always Right"

[Jon Westfall]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://justanothermobilemonday.com/Wordpress/2007/03/03/review-phatware-calligrapher-one-small-scribble-for-manone-giant-note-for-mankind/' target='_blank'>http://justanothermobilemonday.com/...te-for-mankind/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Every once in a while, I get to test out a program that completely surprises me. The latest example of this was PhatWare’s Calligrapher. I am not typically a fan of handwriting recognition software. Frankly, my handwriting is such a mess that they rarely work for me and tend to take more time to fix the "misunderstandings". For this reason, I had been somewhat hesitant to review Calligrapher. Much to my surprise, however, Calligrapher was able to recognize even the sloppiest handwriting and translated it into typed text with amazing accuracy."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/westfall-cgr8-anim.gif" /> <br /><br />Doug at JustAnotherMobileMonday admits that he didn't think Calligrapher was going to impress him on the way into his review, but finished with a new appreciation for handwriting recognition. I've used Calligrapher in the past and have had very good experiences myself - but still haven't up'ed it to "Must have" status. Why? Well, the fact that all my current devices have a keyboard may be behind it. However with newer and sleeker keyboard-less models on the way, Calligrapher may be poised to further make it's mark. What do you think?

[Brad Adrian]

I've been sold on Calligrapher ever since it first came out. The recognition engine has gotten better and better with each update, so I'm not too surprised with the reviewer's conclusions. It still takes a little practice, though, and most users I've spoken to say their results get better and better the longer they use Calligrapher.

For me, the most useful aspect is the AutoCorrection feature. Like in the desktop version of Word, you can define shortcuts so writing things like "ppct" enters "Pocket PC Thoughts" into the document, which makes for VERY quick entry.

If you prefer using a built-in hardware keyboard, though, you can get very similar results with a little program called (oddly enough) AutoKorrectur. With it, you can type a shortcut or abbreviation and the program types in text of virtually any length. So, I can even type "ha" and AutoKorrectur enters my entire home address, for instance.

http://www.pocketkai.net/asp/

[Jon Westfall]

So, I can even type "ha" and AutoKorrectur enters my entire home address, for instance.

That would make it pretty hard for me to express laughter in IM conversations (I detest "LOL"). Friends would wonder why I typed my home address 3 times :mrgreen:

[halljames]

After reading the review, I decided to give it another try, and I am pleasantly pleased with the results.

I have been an on off user of calligrapher for a long time, but since I got my dell axim a couple of weeks ago, and found I was using Textmaker more and more, this might help me compose my novel on it. Possibily

LOL