Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!uunet!microsoft!garye
From: garye@microsoft.UUCP (Gary ERICSON)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
Subject: Re: Handwriting technology - What good is it?
Message-ID: <56906@microsoft.UUCP>
Date: 24 Aug 90 20:44:16 GMT
References: <5120.26d1113e@vax5.cit.cornell.edu> <PORTUESI.90Aug21100419@tweezers.esd.sgi.com> <1990Aug22.031750.17755@usenet.ins.cwru.edu>
Reply-To: garye@microsoft.UUCP (Gary ERICSON)
Distribution: comp
Organization: Microsoft Corp., Redmond WA
Lines: 21

In article <1990Aug22.031750.17755@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> turnbull@john.CES.CWRU.Edu (John Turnbull) writes:
>Handwriting as input has three advantages.
>
>	a) Drawing (e.g. graphs, tables etc) and text can be input
>	   with the same device.
>	b) Not everyone has great keyboard skills, and so could write
>	   faster than type.
>	c) Text can be changed with standard editor's signs.

Also:   d) Inputting "spatially-oriented" text (where the position of the
	   text on the page is significant - such as placing text into
	   boxes on forms, using indentation, or annotating existing text 
	   or drawings) is easier with a stylus than keyboard alone or even
	   keyboard with mouse (the latter requires moving the hands
	   between two input devices).

	e) In a handheld size, handwriting is as efficient as poking small
	   keys with one finger, and is generally easier, even for (maybe 
	   especially for) a touch-typist.

Gary Ericson - Microsoft - Work Group Apps