[NTLK] Using Newton - Simple Pleasures

[Bob Adamson]

While I agree that Graffiti was not the answer, the much larger and even primal handwriting issue that Newton EXCELS at, is.  I could care less that the first version did not work well.  Ever try the first version of DOS?  Or drive a model T?  Didn't seem to stop your further exploration.  From the time we first pick up a crayon and see the empty canvas of the wall, writing is ingrained.  The most revered writing is your signature.  We place ultimate conviction in handwriting.  I am at a loss to understand the lack of interest if fostering this form of user input.  Sorry, just my personal vent at the windmill.  Frustrating when you know it can be done right, because it has, by our green friend.

Bob Adamson


On Oct 27, 2010, at 9:21 AM, Riccardo Mori wrote:

> 
> quoth Bob Adamson:
> 
>> Are we expected to believe people would rather type on a touch screen than write and have their handwriting recognized and turned into text? 
> 
> My answer is yes, but wait, here's my theory.
> 
> The Newton had the best implementation of HWR in its days. I mean, it was the only device where the act of writing with a stylus on a surface felt really natural, like writing on a paper note-book. But the Newton, sadly, wasn't exactly a success, mostly because of the steep price of entry and because its HWR capability was initially not as effective as later on, and was generally not taken very seriously.
> 
> So, what happened? Cheaper devices like Palms grew more popular and so did their sad, poor, counter-intuitive HWR method. I believe that many people tend to remember more the Palm's HWR method rather than the Newton's. No wonder they want to get rid of it. After trying to learn Graffiti (I like to know what I'm criticising), hell, I'd rather type on a virtual keyboard like the iPad's (or even the iPhone's!) any time! :)
> 
> My $0.02.
> 
> Cheers,
> Rick 
> 
> 
> 
> ==================================================================== 
> The NewtonTalk Mailing List - http://newtontalk.net/
> The Official Newton FAQ     - http://splorp.com/newton/faq/
> The Newton Glossary         - http://splorp.com/newton/glossary/
> WikiWikiNewt                - http://tools.unna.org/wikiwikinewt/
> ====================================================================

Bob Adamson
bobadamson at mac.com