Just Released: AlphaTap is a pen-based typing tool for Tablet PC. It
leverages the natural motion of handwriting to let you type far faster
and with less fatigue than possible with either handwriting or the
on-screen QWERTY keyboard.

The Tablet PC's handwriting recognition is remarkably good and very
useful, but when you need to write more than a few words handwriting
just gets slow and tiring. AlphaTap is especially effective for
note-taking and outlining, where abbreviations and jargon are common;
such text is more difficult for the recognizer.

More info and download at: http://networkimprov.net/alphatap/

Thanks for your interest!

Liam Breck
Network Improv
Boston, Mass. USA
mailto:liam%40networkimprov%2Enet

(No QWERTY keys were struck while typing this message :)

I've downloaded it and am finding it quite useful. The program has a small footprint and works without any performance issues. The best feature about this input system is the ability to slide across several letters. Already, words like "the", "for" and "-ing" are becoming a second nature. My problem is that, despite practice, I'm still finding it difficult to locate the letters. It would be much more usable if the letters were arranged in QWERTY but staggered in stair-case fashion like now, in effect creating a QWERTY keyboard that's been compressed and rotated 45 degrees. The free space on either side of the letters could accommodate common strings like "the", "for" "-tion" and "-ing". This would make character localisation easier but still obviate the need to lift the hand. Enter, space, backspace and shift keys should be highlighted. The punctuations could be bolder to make then more legible. These are some feedback after a real life use. All in all, I've found the experience Superior to MessagEze. I especially like the way the panel shrinks after a period of non-use. A great effort and best wishes for your product. Kwon

I gave alphatap a try. It looks like a solid solution. Compared with a
similar alternative, I found these advantages:

1. It lives well with RitePen. It manages to neutralize the latter's
recognition function when the pen gets to the keyboard. (I guess the
same goes for Calligrapher.) Good news for users of full-screen
handwriting recognition!

2. Easy to access keys.

3. Large, easy to access special signs and function keys (collapsible).

4. Single tap special function keys, such as go to start/end of line.

5. Sticky shift/control/alt that works in the obvious way.

5. Auto collapse when not in use.

6. It has not crashed so far.

These features appeal to me, as a user of mainly handwriting
recognition, needing the keyboard for symbols, function keys, occasional
correction and inputting non-English.

I recall reading, in a bicycle magazine, in praise of the Brompton
folding bicycle, that it is the only machine of its type whose owners
tend to fold it even when they don't have to (i.e. so easy and intuitive
the folding process). The same goes for this on-screen keyboard: I am
finding myself tapping it even when I don't strictly have to! for
example, I enjoyed tapping control-C and control-V for cut and paste, in
spite of the icons waiting in the window above and the availability of
pen shortcuts from StrokeIt. I have been waiting so long to do this...

Avner.


AlphaTap News wrote:
> Just Released: AlphaTap is a pen-based typing tool for Tablet PC. It
> leverages the natural motion of handwriting to let you type far faster
> and with less fatigue than possible with either handwriting or the
> on-screen QWERTY keyboard.
>
> The Tablet PC's handwriting recognition is remarkably good and very
> useful, but when you need to write more than a few words handwriting
> just gets slow and tiring. AlphaTap is especially effective for
> note-taking and outlining, where abbreviations and jargon are common;

Thanks for the great review! We're glad to hear that AlphaTap is
working well for you.

We've been very gratified by the warm reception it has received in the
short period since its public release.

Your experience of using AlphaTap even when you don't have to is not
uncommon. We've heard a number of stories about users "doodling" with
AlphaTap simply because it's fun, and a good way to improve
proficiency.

Best,

Liam Breck
Network Improv
http://networkimprov.net/alphatap/
(No QWERTY keys were struck while typing this message :)


Avner Ben <avner@skilldesign.com> wrote...
> I gave alphatap a try. It looks like a solid solution. Compared with a
> similar alternative, I found these advantages:
>
> 1. It lives well with RitePen. It manages to neutralize the latter's
> recognition function when the pen gets to the keyboard. (I guess the
> same goes for Calligrapher.) Good news for users of full-screen
> handwriting recognition!
>
> 2. Easy to access keys.
>
> 3. Large, easy to access special signs and function keys (collapsible).
>
> 4. Single tap special function keys, such as go to start/end of line.
>
> 5. Sticky shift/control/alt that works in the obvious way.
>
> 5. Auto collapse when not in use.
>
> 6. It has not crashed so far.
>
> These features appeal to me, as a user of mainly handwriting
> recognition, needing the keyboard for symbols, function keys, occasional
> correction and inputting non-English.
>
> I recall reading, in a bicycle magazine, in praise of the Brompton
> folding bicycle, that it is the only machine of its type whose owners
> tend to fold it even when they don't have to (i.e. so easy and intuitive
> the folding process). The same goes for this on-screen keyboard: I am
> finding myself tapping it even when I don't strictly have to! for
> example, I enjoyed tapping control-C and control-V for cut and paste, in
> spite of the icons waiting in the window above and the availability of
> pen shortcuts from StrokeIt. I have been waiting so long to do this...
>
> Avner.
>
>
> AlphaTap News wrote:
> > Just Released: AlphaTap is a pen-based typing tool for Tablet PC. It
> > leverages the natural motion of handwriting to let you type far faster
> > and with less fatigue than possible with either handwriting or the
> > on-screen QWERTY keyboard.
> >
> > The Tablet PC's handwriting recognition is remarkably good and very
> > useful, but when you need to write more than a few words handwriting
> > just gets slow and tiring. AlphaTap is especially effective for
> > note-taking and outlining, where abbreviations and jargon are common;