Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!microsoft!garye
From: garye@microsoft.UUCP (Gary ERICSON)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: i need an electronic organizer...
Message-ID: <54374@microsoft.UUCP>
Date: 30 Apr 90 19:47:59 GMT
References: <6082@ccncsu.ColoState.EDU> <31210018@hpcvia.CV.HP.COM> <3541@trantor.harris-atd.com>
Reply-To: garye@microsoft.UUCP (Gary ERICSON)
Organization: Microsoft Corp., Redmond WA
Lines: 39

>Best of all, the BOSS fits easily in a shirt or pants pocket.  Admittedly,
>the keyboard is a little tight, but you get used to it quickly.  
>
>Chuck Musciano

That's the question for me.  What's the interface like in real use?

Not counting for the moment the many advantages to an electronic system,
I see two advantages to paper notebook systems:

   1) You can go directly to different sections of your notebook by just 
      flipping to them with your fingers.  I can find an address by going 
      straight to the P's in the address section.  I can get to my expense 
      reports by grabbing that index tab - flip and I'm there.

   2) You can enter information quickly with a pencil.  You don't have to 
      squeeze your fingers onto a tiny keyboard, and you don't have to 
      navigate through forms using tab or arrow keys - you plunk your pencil 
      on the spot you want and write.

How is the BOSS (or Wizard or Portfolio) in these areas?  How do you flip
from your calendar section to names/address section (what keystrokes)?  How
do you search for the address for John Williams (scroll through list or jump
straight to W's)?  Is there a form for entering an appointment?  Can you
jump to different fields in that form randomly (or are you forced to enter
the information serially)?

My limited contact with devices like this has gotten me frustrated with
the keyboard-driven interface.  Admittedly, this is from a quick perusal,
and the good/bad-ness of the interface probably isn't clear until you've
used it consistently in real situations.

Despite the obvious advantages of the electronic version, a pencil-and-
fingertip-driven interface is enough of an advantage that I still prefer it 
(not to mention the up-front price difference).  But I love techie devices, 
so if you can convince me that it has as easy an interface as pencil and 
notebook (in real use), I'd love to get one.

Gary Ericson - Microsoft - Work Group Apps