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My Conversion to Digital...
Preamble:
In May 2003, I purchased my first mobile
computer. This task was gargantuan in nature. While I love
gadgets, unless I can identify significant improvements in lifestyle or
convenience, I will sit and wait. We have all experienced buyer's
remorse and cursed the timing of the next release (or version) to coincide
within a single week of receiving and configuring the new (& obsolete)
product.
Laptop computers offered no significant
improvements to me. After all, I had:
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A stable desktop computer in my
office;
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My planning, project management, and
client contact lists were adequately handled with my Franklin Planner and
Palm PDA. The daily blank page provided the perfect location for my
handwritten notes. [On a Side Note: while the PDA provided faster and
easier access to contacts, appointments, reference notes and open tasks, I
was entrapped with the redundant entries in both my Planner and my PDA. I
justified this as a necessary evil.]; And,
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My clients provide a network
workstation to access their data.
As a task oriented person, I embraced
the "Franklin" discipline. "I will keep my Appointments, Contacts,
Project Tasks, Goals & Aspirations, and daily notes in a SINGLE LOCATION (my
planner). I will never be in doubt as to the whereabouts of a critical
information." This is a good premise. While it will seem
practical to record appointments and notes on the nearest calendar or
post-it pad, it is too easy to forget where I was when I took the note.
If I only have ONE location, I only have ONE place to look. The worst
aspects of this SINGLE LOCATION approach, it the noticeable lack of backups
and Search capabilities. There is no way I would take the time to
copy/scan my notes on a daily basis and create a cross-reference listing.
I recall a terrible story of a woman,
who left her planner on the roof of her car and drove away oblivious to the
scattering of her organization planner on the winds of Southern California.
When I heard the story, I went out and purchased a zippered binder. (I
determined it was better to lose everything in a neat package...).
My search methods consisted of manually
scanning my daily notes close to the day I thought it might have happened.
Now picture in your mind scanning notes from seven years of notes...scary,
huh?
A standard laptop would force me to type
my notes on a Daily / Weekly basis. Realistically, I would still
handwrite them on blank paper and transcribe them later. I find it difficult
to transcribe notes. For me, most of my notes are abbreviations and
phrases meant to trigger associations within the context of the note. When I
transcribe, I am forced to explain the hidden associations. If I don't
explain them, they lose the association/memory link the handwritten notes
contained. I needed a machine that could handle both text and handwriting...
Chronology:
With these thoughts in mind, I waited,
researched and then waited some more. In September/October of 2002, I
saw rumors of a new hybrid product. A laptop that accepted (and
recognized) handwriting! A "Tablet PC". This was too good to be true.
Perhaps, my time had come...I had to know more.
I began scouring the internet for
anything concerning this mystery "Tablet PC". I discovered that
Microsoft would be releasing this new product in November 2002. For
the next few months, I read everything I could find on this new product.
I read Previews (mostly guesses) on what it would do and what is would look
like. I liked the ability to choose Portrait or Landscape as my
primary layout.
Finally, the day of the release came.
I was flooded with information. Microsoft had released the TabletPC
Operating System (XP Professional with more features) and many manufacturers
released their hardware. Well known names like HP, Acer, Fujitsu and
Toshiba announced their products. And unknown manufacturers (at least
to me) like Motion, Electrovaya and Tatung announced theirs. Since no
one had products on the shelf, it was difficult to separate the "Real" from
the "Soon to be Real". These were not touch screen machines
(a special pen is required). Microsoft had a "Journal" application that
would accept handwritten notes and drawings like a notepad. Converting
handwriting into Text was built in. Wireless connectivity with
grab-n-go (no need to reboot when disconnecting)...
I quickly learned there were two basic
approaches (a "Slate" and a "Convertible" ). The "Slate" had no
keyboard attached and the "Convertible" operated like a laptop or, by
twisting the display, would lay down like a "Slate". HP muddied the
water with a hybrid. A "Slate" that could be plugged into a keyboard
and become a Laptop. All of them limited options (no optical drives)
to preserve battery life. I had to see some demos...
By early December 2002, CompUSA had the
Toshiba and Acer. Franklin Covey had the Acer and promised the HP
soon. Frys Electronics had no idea what I was talking about...The
hardware was scarce, too heavy, or too limited in speed or memory.
This was a terrific concept with disappointing results. I needed to
wait some more...
The new year began with manufacturing
delays and backlogs. Many Tablet PC websites supplied me with Reviews,
FAQs and Discussions. But I found more conflicts than solutions.
"This product ROCKS" followed by "This products SUCKS" and "What were they
thinking?". I followed hardware reviews (very few) with Software Promises
(very plentiful). Gateway announced they would be co-branding the
Motion Computing slate. I waited some more...
Through March 2003, products were
shipping and recipients wrote reviews. Most were excited with their
new toys. Microsoft released some Power Toys and an "OfficePak" that
would allow "Inking" (handwritten notes) in MS Office XP.
I was enthralled with the idea that I could take notes on my Tablet PC and
possible eliminate my planner...much to think about...
Springtime brought more rumors:
New hardware using Intel's Centrino chips, faster processors and more ram;
Microsoft would be releasing a Beta Version of Office 2003 with Inking
capabilities. NEC released the lightest Slate (2.2 lbs). I had
determined I preferred a Slate version with attachable keyboard. I saw
no sense in lugging around a keyboard I wasn't going to need.
April brought fresh hope. Centrino
chips were coming and MS Office 2003 Beta would release shortly. I
demoed a Gateway branded Motion Computing slate. It was perfect.
It only weighed 3 lbs (my planner weighs 4.5 lbs). The handwriting
recognition was about 85% (I print mostly using capital block letters).
Motion Computing was founded by a group of Ex-Dell executives. It
outsourced everything and everything was build to order. An order on
the internet would trigger a build in Taiwan to my specs. When it was
completed, it would ship directly to me. I liked the concept and
efficiency. User reviews on Motion are terrific. When they
release the Centrino version, we have a deal...
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On May 12th, Motion Computing releases
their M1300 Tablet PC (Centrino chipset, 933 MHz, up to 1 Gb ram). I
purchased it immediately. I bought it with the Flexdock docking station, 60
Gb hard drive and
1 gb of ram. Now I had to wait the 14 days for it to arrive.
While I was waiting, I ordered Office 2003 Beta. I planned to install
it on the Tablet PC and work out the quirks without effecting my desktop.
Motion shipped on May 22. I took
possession on June 2, 2002. A day after Memorial Day and only 1 week
before Motion announces the upgrade to a 1 GHz processor. (never forget the
obsolescence principle)...
Transition:
Today, after working with my Tablet PC
for eight months, I could say the transition was smooth and effortless.
But, I still remember too many of the details, so I cannot lie. Most
of the difficulties were typical setup configurations. Reinstalling
software and setting it up as I am used to is a chore all by itself.
XP simplifies some of the tasks with the "File Transfer" utility, but most
of the work was still manual. I mention Backups & Redundancy were a
priority, so I traveled down the road to Offline Files. Quite an
interesting journey (now that it's working) and all of my Tablet PC documents
and files are available offline on my desktop and vice versa. With
this approach and formal Backups to another disk drive, my worry over lost
data is assuaged. Currently, in order to backup/sync Outlook files, I
manually copy the .pst files to my desktop (and back). I have tried
using an Outlook Syncing program, but it took 25-35 minutes to synchronize
and a copy takes 25-35 seconds. Hopefully, this will be solved when
the next version comes out...
I installed my Beta version of Office
2003. I installed a new program called OneNote (designed for notes and
research). I copied and transfer my Outlook data. I set my
configurations and poked, prodded and played. My Tablet PC came with
Sign-On (by CIC). It allowed me to set my signature for my password
authentication. This is much better than pointing my pen on a
keyboard to enter my password.
Tablet PC's use the pen in two
distinctly different manners; Converting to text and "Inking".
Converting to text is self-explanatory. Inking is recording my
handwriting and drawings and leaving it as that. My interest in Tablet
PC's is primarily with the Inking capabilities, but conversion is a
frequently used function.
For handwriting recognition, I became
familiar with the T-I-P (Text Input Panel). This Tablet PC feature
seemed very odd, at first. I have to place my cursor at the insertion
point in my document (Excel, Word, Visio,...) and then open the TIP. I
can write with my pen and my handwriting converts to text and is inserted
into my document. I am comfortable with Palm Graffiti, and there is a
section I can use that lets me write letter by letter. And, if I get
desperate, there is a section with a QWERTY keyboard I can type on with my
pen.
Handwriting recognition amazes me.
I can convert my handwriting to text with about 85% accuracy. I mostly
print instead of using the cursive script I was taught in grade school.
While that seems more legible to me, my Tablet PC disagrees. I have
discovered that REALLY-REALLY-BAD cursive converts more accurately than my
block printing. My grand-daughter is in 5th grade and she converts
accurately 99+%. Handwriting recognition is learned, but sadly, by me
and not the machine. As I remember my grade school skills, my accuracy
improves. While I am not a fast typist (30-40 wpm), I type much faster
than I can convert handwriting accurately. If I create a long
document, I will pull out the keyboard...
After the initial setup and tutorials, I
met my 1st Transition Test. I waited to purchase the Tablet PC until I
was convinced that I could operate day-to-day without my Franklin Planner.
Now I had it, it was configured, I was trained, so what now? I had to
cut the cord. I felt like a bungee-jumper at the bridge rail...but,
but, but...oh hell, just jump...
Sounds confident, brave and daring,
doesn't it? I have to confess, I carried both my Franklin Planner and
my Tablet PC for the first week. I had to be sure it would work and my
clients didn't suffer while I was learning my rhythm...
Journal:
Journal comes with every Tablet PC.
It is incredibly powerful. It allows me to take notes and go back and
illustrate my points. It is better than a blank piece of paper because
I cannot "Lasso" notes and move them to another location on a legal pad...
Journal Sample
OneNote:
This is a "Killer" application. OneNote
is a new application for gathering and displaying information. Data is
stored in Notebooks and Sections. It is very versatile and can be used with
keyboards or ink. I create a new Notebook for each client. The
Sections are Months / Years and the vertical divisions are the days of the
month I worked with the client.
OneNote Sample
This program gives me the best project
tracking for my clients. And the best feature is everything is
SEARCHABLE. I can enter a search for "Passwords", and it will find
every session I worked with the client on Passwords (and this searches the
INK portions, as well). I still have difficulty moving text around, so
I use Journal for meeting notes or brainstorming sessions.
Additional Considerations:
Future improvements will always involve
faster cpu's and less weight. Software will evolve to include or
recognizes ink without the need of the TIP.
Screen: The 12" screen size is
excellent, but 14" would be closer to blank paper size. I would enjoy
greater screen resolution, as 1024x768 is cramped. Motion now offers
an Indoor/Outdoor screen which is a must. I noticed it is not a
problem with laptops, but to write on the screen requires me to tilt it so
that fluorescent bulbs reflect and make it difficult to read (and outdoor
use is close to impossible).
Battery Life: I can count on
battery life of 3-1/2 hours. This is much better than battery life of most
laptops, but not yet optimal. Normally, I will keep it on AC power and
disconnect for meetings. This works well, until those days with
marathon meetings, so I carry a spare battery. Electrovaya has a
Tablet PC with 9 hours of battery...
Conclusion:
I am very pleased with my Tablet PC.
I can see that within a few years, most laptops will include these features.
It has given me the best of my desktop and Franklin Planner in one package.
I use it actively during the day.
And by the way, when we are discussing
my Tablet PC, it is a TOOL, and Not a TOY. Let's keep
the nomenclature correct...
...wc
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