A comparative review of alternative input methods

[Brad Isaac]

Tired of the built in data entry methods for your XDA II / i-mate? Mike gives us the low-down on some alternatives ...
What type of input method do you use when you are away from a foldable keyboard? Calligrapher? Fitaly? Character Recognizer? Human Blood? (Mua ha ha ha ha )
I've gone through a couple of stages of swapping between Fitaly and Calligrapher. Lately, my compass points to Fitaly, but with the new Calligrapher, I suppose things could change.
The article above points to a comparitive review of 6 different text entry methods you could purchase separately to enter text into your Pocket PC. It covers SPB's Full Screen Keyboard, WordLogic, TenGO, Fitaly, Quikwriter and Resco Keyboard.

[bkbroil]

I thought the article was good, I agree with his assessment of the input options. I personally use WordLogic (his score 9 out of 10) and Transcriber for my input on the PPC. What do you use?

[yildi]

Hi, I am new on the forums and have been a PPC user for the last six months (after having bought my first iPAQ: 1915). I have very quickly became dependant on this tool but the text entry was a problem. I write both in English and in French on my ipaq. As everybody, I have tried to struggle with Transcriber, adopted Fitaly as a nice alternative (yes the learning curve is quite hard and I have not finished yet climbing it ) and lastly I have decided to give a try to Calligrapher 7. Well, you can only try the version for English, you must directly buy the French package. I have played a little bit with the English version and decided to buy the French package (it is cheaper than the software). I must tell that I have really been impressed by the quality of the recognition engine of Calligrapher. I always have problems with "n" vs "u" and with "m" (especially when I am in a haste) but if I am a little bit carefull, the final result is impressive. The possibility of launching programs and introducing full sentences just using a shortcut gesture (it is called pen commander) is also very useful.
I would tell that my best combination is Calligrapher for writing long texts and Fitaly for writing bits and pieces that are quite heterogenous and that need precision (numbers, web and email addresses...). After all switching from one to the other only takes two taps....
Thank you for these very rich forums. I have just had a first impression that some of the messages are a little bit too commercial, but many others are very relevant.
Happy new year.
MY

[bkbroil]

I have tried to struggle with Transcriber

I too struggled with it too...but the only reason that I didn't try another input method was because Transcriber came Free :P on my 3835.

I have just had a first impression that some of the messages are a little bit too commercial, but many others are very relevant.

I'll have to try not to make the articles not sound like a selling tool and more like an editorial. Thanks for your comments.

[Brad Isaac]

Originally Posted by yildi

Thank you for these very rich forums. I have just had a first impression that some of the messages are a little bit too commercial, but many others are very relevant.
Happy new year.
MY

Welcome to Pocket PC Addict yildi.
If you started out in the Announcement forum, then yeah, those sound commercial, because it's sort of a free for all where other companies can announce their Pocket PC goods and services.
If you are referring to other front page posts, then...well, we'll try not to sound commercial. We aren't really affiliated with anyone else out there, so if we say something is good. It's most likely because we've plopped our hard earned money on the counter and bought it We certainly aren't being paid to talk up any products out there. BK is good at finding great deals on memory cards and Pocket PCs - as far as I know he's not getting kickbacks on the deal (are you BK?) :P . I'm opinionated about my text entry methods because it's almost the weakest link in the PPC chain.
Thanks for the feedback...

[bkbroil]

as far as I know he's not getting kickbacks on the deal (are you BK?)

I wish! What I would do with that money! ......Maybe buy some memory cards! :P

[Hantra]

That WordLogic looks interesting. I may have to give it a try. My freaking handwriting is so bad, Calligrapher didn't do it for me. Perhaps the new version is at least worth a try though. . .