I-Appliance BBS The Official Source for Internet Appliance Upgrades and Mods BBS Main List | Sign In | Sign Up | Search | Help | Linux-Hacker.net Reply to Thread | Printer |

Home / Web Pads / Panasonic CF-01 Pen Input Alternatives? Anyway around Pen Services?

Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) Groch Profile | Email By far the biggest obstacle I see to ultimate CF-1 happiness so far is not the smaller screen or even the battary life but the really mediocre pen input. The problem isn't CPU related as we know Epods does it better. Has anyone got any suggestions for alternatives. I see CIC makes a product that has been well reviewed http://www.cic.com/products/penx/ , but it seems to be only available OEM. I wonder if it could easily be ported to the CF-1. My guess is Pen Services would have to be removed entirely. Any suggestions. Even for browsing the web Pens services is a major pain. 04-20-2001 05:22:26

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) bus_depot Profile Pen Office (from the makers of Calligrapher) works much better than the included Pen Services. It's a trial version so supposedly you have to buy it after a month. (I haven't had it installed long enough to confirm if it actually locks you out after a month, but it does have a countdown dialog box when you open it.) It brings the CF-01 much closer to (but not equal to) the ePods/Calligrapher combination. I'd definately recommend trying it out, at least until we find an even better option. If you want to try it, here's the download link for the free trial version: http://www.paragraph.com/download/penoffice/PenOfficeTrial.exe 04-20-2001 05:57:54

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) jamesd1343 Profile I agree with bus_depot on Calligrapher...its close to CE version. What's up with the keyboard being missing though???? I have set pen services to not integrate into applications and calligrapher works much better. Ill have to try the other app. 04-20-2001 07:11:04

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) bus_depot Profile I agree it's a shame that the win95/98 doesn't include a pop-up keyboard like the Calligrapher CE version does. This would have been perfect. It would have been more convenient than the included keyboard, and might have solved that problem with no keyboard icon appearing on some dialog boxes in IE. There's another thread about keyboards on the bbs. So far I haven't found a better one, although there are some non-freeware ones I haven't tried yet. 04-20-2001 07:44:02

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) Logikos Profile I could've sworn 98 included an on-screen keyboard as part of the Accessibility options. I know that Win2K does, and am pretty sure WinME does too. Guess I'll have to find a 98 machine and see... 04-20-2001 09:38:38

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) vagitizer Profile | Email I am purchasing PenX and should have my CF-01 my Tuesday. I will report on how this will work with the CF-01. Vagitizer Scratch and Sniff... 04-20-2001 09:51:36

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) jamesd1343 Profile Here is the response from CIC as to personal services: James, Penx is an OEM product. The cost for the Penx software is 59.00. CIC does not offer technical support for this product for consumer purchase. With the software is a user guide. You can purchase for 59.00 each copy. CIC does offer a 30 day money back guarantee on all their software. http://www.cic.com/support/faq/PenX/PenX.html Regards, Kassy Loving CIC Online Sales 650/802-7766 kloving@cic.com www.cic.com 04-20-2001 10:41:01

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) fsaunders Profile The Fitaly keyboard is available for Windows 95. I have used the Fitaly keyboard for Windows CE and it is optimized for pen input. I would like to try it before I buy it, but there is no demo version. See http://www.fitaly.com . Maybe we could arrange a trial or a group purchase ;) 04-20-2001 11:31:48

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) bus_depot Profile > I agree it's a shame that the win95/98 doesn't include > a pop-up keyboard like the Calligrapher CE version does Sorry... That sentence should have read that the win95/98 version of Calligrapher (Pen Office) doesn't include a pop-up keyboard like the CE version does. 04-20-2001 11:59:52

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) jamesd1343 Profile vagitizer, keep us updated on the penX user friendliness, i HATE pen services and want it off my system. 04-20-2001 12:21:08

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) vagitizer Profile | Email I just emailed in my order for a copy of PenX today. According to the specs, there should be no problem running this on the CF-01, but don't everyone start ordering before we have a 'confirmed' answer as to if this is the solution. I have a 6 MB toshiba drive that I will be loading with win98 sunday in prep for the CF-01. By Tuesday I should have all the pieces to see what the DEAL is. Heck, I just can barely wait!!! PS... You just have to appreciate the name of the rep for CIC!! Just imagine Dark red lipstick!! Vagitizer Scratch and Sniff... 04-20-2001 20:51:04

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) JamesW Profile Here's another alternative Pen input system. http://www.artcomp.com/products/ds_smartwriter.htm It's $69.95 and you can pay for & download it online. I got on to it thanks to SiliconIce and his post about the Casio FIVA ( http://www.linux-hacker.net/cgi-bin/UltraBoard/UltraBoard.pl?Action=ShowPost&Board=PanasonicCF01&Post=43&Idle=0&Sort=0&Order=Descend&Page=0&Session= ) which runs 98 and uses smARTwriter for input, given that 98 doesn't have Pen Services... I haven't tried it yet, but once I get my CF-01... 04-22-2001 19:21:38

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) Groch Profile | Email The MSNBC review of the FIVA Here http://www.msnbc.com/news/465218.asp#BODY did not like the handwriting recognition, saying it only had a 50-60% accuracy, which if correct is useless. I imagine the hardware (cpu and screen type) and operating system effect this accuracy as well as the software, so it might be worth a shot. I am hoping we here positive reviews of PENX from JamesSD. 04-22-2001 20:16:24

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) Groch Profile | Email Vagitizer, any word on PenX yet? I am sick of trying to write in those tiny boxes. 05-02-2001 02:04:35

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) pete Profile Still only real reason that I am using Epods is the easy to use on screen keyboard functions. 05-02-2001 03:59:19

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) SiliconIce Profile ePods pen input kills the CF-01's, especially the fact that ePods seems to have implemented the pen as a mouse. The CF-01 pen does not work in many programs where a mouse usually would, but my pen in ePods worked even in emulated DOS progs as a mouse. Anyone gotten pen to work in DOS? 05-02-2001 12:57:35

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) JunkLeo Profile you guys can try this ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/Drivers/notebooks/stgkb.exe It is demo version, but it seems the expiration day stays for 60 days and does not change on my CF-01. It is not bad and works for all applications (at least it is much better than the one comes with Pen Service). Leo 05-02-2001 14:34:42

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) vagitizer Profile | Email Well... PenX is not the magic solution. While it does a better job at character recognition... The on screen is OK (miniature version of a full sized keyboard. It's behavior was slow. It did work in all text boxes in windows. The keyboard almost worked in a dos window. The space bar and the enter keys didn't work. Also some time the keyboard didn't work at all. If your looking for a modest increase in the character recognition mode, and I mean modest, then buy it. But as far as I'm concerned, I'm going to wipe it clean from my machine and ask for a refund. 05-02-2001 19:37:48

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) DSteiNeuro Profile I just checked and my version of Win2k has a fairly nice on screen keyboard. The program is osk.exe. I will copy it and try it on my CF-01 running Win98 when I get home. Also the MS Acessibility site has a fair amount of information on different keyboards. Here is a long list of add on programs: http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/aids.asp 05-07-2001 17:21:28

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) DSteiNeuro Profile I tried osk.exe on Win98. It needed a dll which I downloaded from a dll site. Still didn't work. I will try the .dll from Win2k tomorrow just in case, but probably a no go. 05-07-2001 23:10:56

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) yellow1 Profile | Email tried it on my Gateway running WinME and while it's not too bad, it doesn't interact very well with the mouse/pen. For instance, hitting alt and then the icon/shortcut won't give the equivalent of a right-click 05-08-2001 01:04:00

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) DataBytes Profile | Email I have had good luck with this on screen key-board "My-T-Touch" you can customize a bunch of differant functions and has pretty good macro features. The demo works for a long time and when it times out - just close and restart the app. Over 45 "Heads-Up Display" Keyboards in 12 different sizes Ctrl-Alt-Del support Transparency & low-level interface Heres the link for all intersted CF-01 users. http://www.imgpresents.com/myttouch/mtt.htm DataBytes 06-01-2001 19:03:24

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) DSteiNeuro Profile My-T-Touch looks good. Which version are you using? My-T-Pen might be a good choice. 06-02-2001 23:29:51

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) DataBytes Profile | Email DSteiNeuro Im using My-T-Touch - but it looks like My-T-Pen is the same thing. It has the same write-up and is at the same version number 1.7 If you try My-T-Pen let me know if you find any differences. DataBytes 06-04-2001 20:46:32

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) bus_depot Profile My-T-Touch is great! Everybody should go download this right away! It blows away the mediocre keyboard utility included with the CF-01. You must choose the "preferences" option that tells it to always follow the curser. This makes it as easy to use as the ePods on-screen keyboard, and more complete as well. Like on the ePods, it automatically lets you type whereever the cursor is, you don't have to bother with that little "letter" icon. It even lets you type in dos commands, which the stock keyboard utility wouldn't. A definate winner! I'm going to put a link to it on my CF-01 site. Thanks, DataBytes! 06-09-2001 08:13:49

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) BigDick Profile Can MY-T_touch be set up to replace the included app on startup or must it be started up manually after booting? 06-09-2001 19:01:14

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) BigDick Profile Us, Does MY-T_touch have an "enter" key to enable entering URLs directly into IE's URL box, rather than having to use the File-open method? 06-09-2001 19:05:36

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) bus_depot Profile Yes, you can enter it in the URL spot in IE. As far as getting it to open automatically, just put it in the startup file. 06-10-2001 16:33:56

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) bus_depot Profile That should have been startup folder, of course, not startup file. 06-10-2001 17:44:39

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) Pat the Hack Profile I don't know if anyone else has tried this, but you can replace the Micro$oft HWR with one from CIC. This doesn't solve the Internet Explorer problems, but it does have better recognition AND it has gestures! It's available from the Fujitsu support site for the Stylistic 500, but I've installed it on my CF-01 and I'm using it right now. Get it here. It`s under the "Drivers" section. The readme.txt has detailed instructions. 06-16-2001 00:40:09

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) Groch Profile | Email Thanks Pat, it is a significant improvement and the price is certainly right. I had noticed this mentioned on the Stylistic board but did not figure it would work. It works fine and is more flexible and a bit smarter than the Microsoft version. 06-16-2001 17:40:24

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) Pat the Hack Profile My problem is that on my Stylistic 1200, I'm running w98 and I can't find the registry entry for the recognizer.... 06-16-2001 22:12:32

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) JunkLeo Profile Add it by yourself. 06-16-2001 22:24:39

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) Pat the Hack Profile That did it, thanks! 06-18-2001 01:37:27

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) PeteC Profile For a while noticed that CIC works better but have recently noticed when utilizing it it locks...went back to MS Pen services and it locks up (only when trying to use pen recognition)...screen keyboard works fine....think one of the drivers got zapped. Like My-T-Touch on screen keyboard but priced a little high at $99 a license is a bit much for a screen keyboard.... PeteC 06-20-2001 13:21:36

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 0 times) ccostan Profile | Email Bus Depot - Can you post a link to your CF-01 website? I am always looking for a Good Source of information. Thanks CARLO Carlo@ipm.com Carlo@ipm.com 08-03-2001 10:41:40

RE:Pen Input Alternatives? (modified 1 times) bus_depot Profile http://home.ptd.net/~busdepot/ 08-03-2001 11:50:09

Reply to Thread | Printer | All times are PST Powered by UltraBoard v1.62

I-Appliance BBS General - NEWS, Breaking NEWS - linux-hacker.net BBS on CD Questions - User Groups in Your Town - E-Bay, Yahoo Auction LINKS ONLY (MODERATED) - Jokes & Humor - usdtv box I-Opener Areas - I-Opener General Posts - I-Opener Technical Stuff - I-Opener Technical Info Reference (MODERATED) WebSurfer Areas - WebSurfer General Posts - WebSurfer Technical Stuff - WebSurfer Technical Info Reference (MODERATED) Other I-Appliances - Virgin Webplayer - WebPal - MailStation - 3Com Audrey - ThinkNIC / Oracle NIC - Gateway/AOL Connected Touch Pad - Philips/AOL-TV - ACER NT-150 STB - MSN Companion - Compaq IA - Emachines IA - IBM NetVista IA - Intel dot.station - MSNTV2 Network Computers - Fujitsu-Siemens Scovery Linux Net Computers - GallantWeb Server Consoles - Dreamcast - xbox hacking Web Pads - Epods One General Post - Panasonic CF-01 - Fujitsu Stylistic 1200 - Cybiko Thin Clients - Thin Clients DigitalVideoRecorders - DTV Recorders, Replay, TiVo, Etc... - Tivo Hacks Linux - Midori Linux General Board - ITX MotherBoards Single Board Computers - Earth Computers mARMalade Elite Member Area MISC Areas - The Swap Meet WE TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY TRANSACTION HERE AND NO COMMERCIAL POST PERIOD !!! - Wireless Net - Cameras - Robotics - Routers/Gateways - Mattel JuiceBox