SHARK: Next-Gen IBM Stylus-Based Input

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/sharktext?open&S_TACT=104AHW61&S_CMP=GR&ca=dgr-227awsharktext' target='_blank'>http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/...-227awsharktext</a><br /><br /></div>"Shorthand Aided Rapid Keyboarding (SHARK) is an advanced pen-based text input method for mobile devices. It combines novel pattern recognition technology with a stylus keyboard. A new user may trace the letters on the keyboard to enter a word. Over time one may remember some or parts of the patterns and speed up the text writing...SHARK has three advantages compared to stylus keyboards, long-hand writing, and traditional shorthand writing:<br /><li> More fluid, smooth, and pleasant interaction than tapping on stylus keyboards<br /><li> Faster and more efficient than long-hand alphabetical writing<br /><li> Easier to learn and more robust than traditional shorthand writing systems. Gradual progress from tracing to gesturing." <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20041026-SharkStrokes.gif" /><br /><br />Take a look at the video in the link to get a better idea of how this works -- it's very cool, and I can see this improving input speed on stylus-based devices tremendously. I'm glad to see someone is still doing research on making stylus input faster, as it's often overlooked as a solution with some of the new devices coming out. You can download a trial, but it's only for Windows on desktops right now.

[Brad Adrian]

You really need to view the video to see how nifty a system this is. I assume that the key layout is non-traditional because it results in more efficient movements, but learning a new keyboard layout can be really tough for some people.

If this were on a Pocket PC, I'd surely give it a try.

[Nat]

Did you look at MessageEase ?

They were there for a long time and their product works very well.

I use it for myself on my axim and i can't use any other input method now else than that. It works especially well to input special characters and accented letters.

[farnold]

Maybe I'm just too old for stuff like this... I learned to read and I can still do it without the requirement to re-learn it. The same goes for hand- and type-writing. Why do some companies think that I would even consider to learn it all over again? Ah right, maybe it's just because they want to my money for something I don't need...

[omikron.sk]

I downloaded the demo - and it didn't work, but the idea (from video) looks really great. Probably some FAST input method is finally coming for PPC?

[omikron.sk]

Maybe I'm just too old for stuff like this... I learned to read and I can still do it without the requirement to re-learn it. The same goes for hand- and type-writing. Why do some companies think that I would even consider to learn it all over again? Ah right, maybe it's just because they want to my money for something I don't need...
Are you satisfied with the speed of writing (typing) in PPC apps? I'm not - absolutely.

[hamishmacdonald]

I'm with farnold: I've tried a bunch of non-handwriting input methods over the years, and... Well, to me they're like mnemonics that get so complicated that it's easier to remember the original thing instead. ("One is a gun -- so a loaf of bread is being shot by a gun. Two is a -- what was the second thing I was supposed to buy?")

If I want really fast text input, I use my Stowaway keyboard. When I'm on the go, I just peck words out on the SIP keyboard. Even Transcriber, which isn't bad now, still makes too many mistakes for me to bother with it. ("W... Not 'N'. W... W!!! Take the freakin' W!") Or if I'm feeling especially non-dextrous, like in bed, I make a voice note.

My mum is one of the few surviving human beings who knows Pitman's Shorthand. I wish I knew it, but you know, I've got other stuff to do.

That's my two bits.

[maximus]

Take a look at the video in the link to get a better idea of how this works -- it's very cool, and I can see this improving input speed on stylus-based devices tremendously. I'm glad to see someone is still doing research on making stylus input faster, as it's often overlooked as a solution with some of the new devices coming out. You can download a trial, but it's only for Windows on desktops right now.

Nice, the idea of using hexagon, instead of squares is really interesting.
More buttons without sacrificing button size is good.

[ipaq_wannabe]

i wouldnt mind learning a new thing... especially a new form of input...

basically i consider myself quite proficient in the following forms of input:

1. desktop QWERTY - around 80 to 100 WPM
2. Graffitti 1 - around 30 WPM
3. Fitaly - around 40 WPM
4. MessagEase - around 40 to 50 WPM
6. Japanese cellphones - about 10 WPM

... SHARK? i would give it a week...

:lol:

i just love learning...

does anyone know when this would be released for PPCs?

[farnold]

Maybe I'm just too old for stuff like this... I learned to read and I can still do it without the requirement to re-learn it. The same goes for hand- and type-writing. Why do some companies think that I would even consider to learn it all over again? Ah right, maybe it's just because they want to my money for something I don't need...
Are you satisfied with the speed of writing (typing) in PPC apps? I'm not - absolutely.
I'm particularly not satisfied with my speed of learning things :mrgreen:

[omikron.sk]

Maybe I'm just too old for stuff like this... I learned to read and I can still do it without the requirement to re-learn it. The same goes for hand- and type-writing. Why do some companies think that I would even consider to learn it all over again? Ah right, maybe it's just because they want to my money for something I don't need...
Are you satisfied with the speed of writing (typing) in PPC apps? I'm not - absolutely.
I'm particularly not satisfied with my speed of learning things :mrgreen:
I did the serious learning once. With fitaly. Although I wasn't as much satisfied as I wanted to be. I can now write with both QWERTY-large-keys-keyboard and fitaly at about same speed (40-60 WPM). It is still not enought for me. I tried several other methods, but refused them before I tried to learn them - you usually see that it is impossible to write (type) faster in it.
However I wanted to say ... it might be worth learning...

[Chafic]

I downloaded the demo - and it didn't work, but the idea (from video) looks really great. Probably some FAST input method is finally coming for PPC?
I think it is meant to be demoed on stylus based PCs such as tablet.

[omikron.sk]

I downloaded the demo - and it didn't work, but the idea (from video) looks really great. Probably some FAST input method is finally coming for PPC?
I think it is meant to be demoed on stylus based PCs such as tablet.
May be. I ran the .exe file on my WinXP desktop and nothing happened - no error - simply nothing. I don't know what to think about it. 8)

[gtarent]

Did you look at MessageEase ?

They were there for a long time and their product works very well.

I use it for myself on my axim and i can't use any other input method now else than that. It works especially well to input special characters and accented letters.

Hey thanks directing me to MessageEase, I downloaded the demo, and it looks very interesting. It is amazing how often you use the main 9 keys, but like Fitali it is so frustrating when you struggle to "find" a letter. Will give it a shot! :wink:

[Mark Johnson]

Even Transcriber, which isn't bad now, still makes too many mistakes for me to bother with it. ("W... Not 'N'. W... W!!!


I also have been frustrated w:th how Transcr:ber seems to be unable to recogn:ze the :increb:ble :mprobab:l:ty that I'm us:ng colons :n the m:ddle of my words. I mean, after all, how many of the words :n the :nternal PPC d:ct:onary end with ":ng" anyway? :wink:

How likely does it really seem that I'm making a note about "attend:ng" a meeting on Tuesday, "runn:ng" an errand after work, or "go:ng" on vacation next month? :roll:

[claud9999]

This alternative input method (keyboard?) was developed a couple years ago...I would not hold my breath for a port anytime soon...(But couldn't one use a customizable keyboard tool on the PPC to set up the same layout? I'm thinking of Fitaly or some other input tool...)

[maximus]

Maybe I'm just too old for stuff like this... I learned to read and I can still do it without the requirement to re-learn it. The same goes for hand- and type-writing. Why do some companies think that I would even consider to learn it all over again? Ah right, maybe it's just because they want to my money for something I don't need...
Are you satisfied with the speed of writing (typing) in PPC apps? I'm not - absolutely.
I'm particularly not satisfied with my speed of learning things :mrgreen:

hehe. same here. I remembered how smart I was 10 years ago :)