(Last edited July 19 2009)

In this part of the series, we will be discussing the other alternative text entry methods for inputting text and characters in the Palm that you may not be aware of. And, for many people (myself included), entering text via a keyboard is much easier than entering via Graffiti 2 especially if we are comfortable with typing.

Third party Text-completion and Graffiti enhancement software

Text Completion software

These types of software will try to predict the word or phrase that you are attempting to input, based on the characters you have entered already.

Screenshot of TextPlus text completion software

Simply enter a letter in Graffiti and the software will pop up various word and phrase suggestions. Tap on the one you want or continue inputting the letters until the correct word or phrase comes up or until you’ve finished inputting the word. You can also create and add words to their dictionary so that it will come up with your words. This can be very helpful so that you don’t need to struggle with each character of a word and just select the correct word suggestion in the pop up window.

I have written a posting on TextPlus here should you wish to read it.

Graffiti enhancement software

These types of software helps better detect your Graffiti strokes so that your “t”s will be recognized as “t”s and not a “+” or “_” and “l” or whatever. So rather than forcing yourself to “re-learn” to input your characters, the software will make the adjustments to refine and fine tune itself to better recognize your strokes.

Screenshot of TealScript

Tealscript Plus allows you to input your characters the way you want, so that you don’t have to learn how to input the way Graffiti 2 wants. You teach the software how you input your “a”’s so that there’s less frustration with Graffiti input.

Screenshot of MobileWrite

I have discussed TealScript and MobileWrite in a bit more detail in this posting about Graffiti enhancement applications. Check it out if interested as I’ve provided Flash simulations of both programs.

Also, here are some related links to posting you may be interested in reading:

Graffiti Silkscreen area

Graffiti 2 application

Even now, from time to time, I still struggle with Graffiti 2 but I’ve found ways to overcome it. I found that using third party applications like text completion software (TextPlus, QuickWrite, TextMaster, TextComplete, etc) and other graffiti enhancement software (MobileWrite, Tealscript Plus, PenJammer, etc) make inputting text much easier.

If you’re planning on purchasing MobileWrite, please support my blog by purchasing it here: or from Handango

Use the entire screen for Graffiti input

As I’ve discussed before, if you can use the entire Palm screen for Graffiti input, your may notice an improvement in the accuracy of the character recognition. If your Palm has the “Write Anywhere on-screen” feature, enable it and try to see if your Graffiti input improves. Check this previous posting on how to enable “Write Anywhere on-screen”

For those who do not have that functionality in their Palm (including the Treo 650), here are a few third party programs that function similar to the “Write Anywhere on-screen” feature.

Please report broken or invalid links

Graffiti Anywhere

Newpen

TealEcho Plus

The other way to help the Palm recognize your Graffiti strokes is to enable the Write Anywhere on Screen feature (if your Palm supports this feature). If not, you can also try something similar which allows you to use the entire screen to input your Graffiti strokes. The most popular is Graffiti Anywhere, Newpen, and TealEcho Plus.

Shortcomings of the Palm pop up keyboard

The Pop up keyboard, although it seems handy at first, was frustrating to use. Why? The keys, although they are in the familiar QWERTY format, were too small to correctly tap even with a stylus. And I found that it wasn’t detecting my taps quickly enough. There was a slight delay in when the tap was detected before it shows up on the screen. I found that when trying to compose a sentence that I end up having to slow down in my tapping so that the keyboard could catch up. Even then, many times, the wrong key was detected. So, I was only using the keyboard for special characters that I’d have problems in Graffiti 2.

Third party virtual keyboard application

Mini-Keyboard Portrait mode for 320×320 screens and Landscape mode for 320×480 screens

I’ve found a third party virtual keyboard Mini_Keyboard that does a much better job at detecting my stylus taps and the keys are large enough allowing me to use my fingers, or really, my fingernails to tap the keys. it supports the square 320×320 screen. And it’s much better and detects the taps much faster. Using this keyboard, I can easily compose my sentences at the rate that I’m comfortable with. I have discussed mini-Keyboard in this posting so please read it if interested.

Here are some for the 320×480 screens:

Thumboard

VKB (Virtual KB)

Other virtual keyboard alternatives

Fitaly keyboard

MessagEase virtual keypad

There are other text entry methods like Fitaly’s keyboard, or MessagEase, but they require you to completely learn another keyboard layout and input methods. That takes time. At one point, I was trying MessagEase, but found it difficult to remember sometimes, even after trying it for quite a while. Eventually I gave up and went back to Graffiti 2 and the keyboard, until I started using the other third party programs I’ve mentioned previously.

Here are other keyboard layout programs:

JetKeys	PKWrite Rapid Text Entry	TouchMe
ALPHATROS Glissando	PrestoScript	FatFinger
MilliKeys	TenGo	Keyboard Hack II

Mirroring Software and inputting via computer

Rather than struggling with inputting on the small screen, you can try using a mirroring software, which allows you to use your desktop or laptop computer and input characters via the keyboard and taps via the mouse. Now, that doesn’t take ANY time to learn, since you already know how to input via the keyboard and mouse.

Tapsmart Keylink

mDesktop

PDAReach

These applications mirror the Palm on the desktop computer so that you can input via the desktop keyboard or mouse.

Simply connect the Palm in its cradle or charger to the computer, launch the program and then start typing and watch your text entered on your computer screen as well as on the Palm. Or, move your mouse and left click to simulate a stylus tap. Or, you can also use the stylus as you would normally on the Palm and watch it mirrored on the computer display. It works both ways. Very cool.

There is a slight delay before whatever keyboard inputs you’ve typed shows on-screen but it’s not enough to distract or annoy me. Unfortunately, it is mainly due to the USB connection and unless the data can pass by fast enough, I doubt that this delay aspect can be improved. I have only tried Tapsmart Keylink and I find that the developers are very quick at addressing bugs and problems. I am very happy with my purchase of the software.

Text entry via external keyboards

Lastly, you can invest in an external keyboard, whether it directly attaches to the Palm via the universal connector or other connectors, or via bluetooth or infrared signals (depending on your Palm unit). I have the Palm Universal Wireless keyboard (3169WW) which operates via infrared, is very nice to use.

Please ensure that you have the correct keyboard drivers installed before you try using it with the Palm or you may experience a lot of crashes and problems that the correct driver will fix. Those with the TX device should get keyboard driver version 1.10 . All other devices should get version 1.08. 1.10 is only for TX. Check out Palm’s keyboard driver page for links to the downloads.

Simply open up the keyboard, place your Palm so that the Palm’s infrared port is positioned to detect the infrared signals sent from the “wand”. The keyboard locks flat in place so you can comfortably type with the keyboard on your lap. It does require batteries since it’s a standalone accessory and not directly connected to the Palm. The keyboards that connect directly to the Palm draw the power from the Palm’s internal batteries. There are pros and cons with both keyboards.

With an external keyboard that is somewhat large enough for comfortable typing, it’s quite possible to compose documents while you’re commuting, travelling. Many people have mentioned that they leave their laptops behind when travelling since the Palm with the keyboard is all they need.

There are also bluetooth keyboard for those who have Bluetooth enable Palms. There’s the Palm wireless keyboard with bluetooth technology.

Hopefully, I’ve provided a good idea of how to use the Memo Pad as well as provided some third party software that can aid in inputting text in the Palm and some tips that may help.

Due to the amount of writing, revising (and I do a lot of it), it may take me days to complete one posting so I hope you guys don’t expect me to post one blog a day. If there’s no new entry yet, chances are, I’m busy working on it. Thanks for your patience.

This is part 3 of the Memo Pad application series. If you haven’t read part 1, please check it out here

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