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From: reg@lti2.UUCP (Rick Genter x18)
Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Subject: the interface for the rest of us?
Message-ID: <9105021606.AA26962@lti2.lti.uucp>
Date: 2 May 91 16:06:27 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
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I recently read an article in the March '91 issue of MacUser that
reviews PenPoint, GO Corporation's pen-based operating system.  The
user interface is (or can be) entirely pen-driven.  PenPoint supports
an optional keyboard, but its use is discouraged.

Is this really "the interface for the rest of us"?  PenPoint 1.0 requires
that all written input be printed - no cursive writing.  I assume that
this will be overcome in future releases (or with future technology),
but even so, a handwriting interface strikes me as, well, cumbersome.

The "pen" also strikes me as cumbersome; it's one more thing I have to
worry about breaking/losing/maintaining/whatever.  Some of the features
of PenPoint aside from character input ("flicking" to scroll or page
through a document, and "tapping" to press a button) are nice, but can
also be accomplished through a touch screen without the nuisance of a
pen.

So what's the win?  After reading the article, I concluded that PenPoint
will be good for a limited set of applications, usually revolving around
filling out forms in a non-time-critical environment.  I can not see how
PenPoint would ever provide a comfortable environment for a "power" user,
or even for the everyday user.

How do others feel?
					- reg
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Rick Genter					reg%lti.uucp@bu.edu
Language Technology, Inc.