Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!noao!arizona!gln
From: gln@arizona.edu (Gary L. Newell)
Newsgroups: comp.cog-eng
Subject: Re: Typing versus Handwriting
Message-ID: <11581@megaron.arizona.edu>
Date: 12 Jun 89 08:34:57 GMT
References: <1440001@hp-ptp.HP.COM>
Organization: U of Arizona CS Dept, Tucson
Lines: 31



I think that your theory is incorrect. Average writing speeds for English
are 1.5-2.5 characters per second (with peak rates approaching 5-10 
characters a second for things like a sequence of 1's). The only time that
handwriting interfaces would improve upon keyboard entry is for 
large alphabet languages like Chinese or for applications using a small
set of gestures or math. symbols. 

 Of course, if you intend a user population which is unfamiliar with or
simply not very good using keyboards - then I guess that it might be
usefull - say for inventory updates on the warehouse floor or the
factory floor (something hand held...).

 IBM has done work recently on Gestural interfaces and has a variety of
papers on the subject. One in particular 'ON-Line Handwriting
Recognition - A Survey" could probably give you a good feel for the
current trends in this area.

 I do think that certain applications lend themselves to handwritten 
interfaces assuming that many of the hardware problems are overcome.
The use of a VERY thin transparent tablet over a flat display comes
to mind for example..... 

It also seems a reasonable optional entry mode for almost any interface. 
Single gestures can indicate target, scope, and action for many commands
in applications like editting - much better than most keyboard designs.
Oh well, I could go on with this topic for a while but it gets boring
I guess.....

		gln