Handwriting Recognition Tips
By Bill Mann

One of the interesting, and controversial things about the design of the Tablet PC is that one of the key new features, handwriting recognition, is not trainable. Unlike speech recognition, where the speech recognition software learns about the way you speak, the handwriting recognition software doesn't adapt to the way you write. So if you want to increase the handwriting recognition accuracy of your Tablet PC, you need to change the way you write.

We're not talking about completely changing the way your write, but we are talking about some simple changes you can make in your writing to greatly increase recognition accuracy.

To get the best handwriting recognition without a wholesale reworking of your own writing style, keep these tips in mind:

• Write neater. Simply writing more neatly can often make a big improvement in recognition accuracy. If you normally write in a checken-scratch that even you can't read, what kind of luck do you think your Tablet PC will have in deciphering what you wrote? Write neatly if you want your handwriting to be recognized.
• Write larger. The smaller you write, the fewer data points the handwriting recognition hardware and software have to work with. The fewer points, the harder it is to recognize what you wrote. When writing in the Tablet PC Input Panel, write as large as you can while keeping the words in the writing area. When writing in Windows Journal, let the ruled lines in the background guide you as to the size you should write. Write as if you were writing on a lined piece of paper.
• Write cursively instead of printing. The handwriting recognizer works with both printed and cursive handwriting, but for most people, it works better with cursive writing. If your cursive writing is halfway decent, you will likely get better recognition with it than with printing.
• Write capital letters much larger than lowercase letters. The handwriting recognizer can have a problem with letters like C, where the uppercase version of the letter is identical to the lowercase version, except for size. If you write capital letters much larger than lowercase letters, your Tablet PC should do a much better job of capitalizing your words.
• Practice your handwriting by playing the Writing Recognition Game. If you haven't been doing a lot of handwriting recently, you may just need some practice. The Writing Recognition Game is a Tablet PC Power Toy that you can use to practice writing in a manner that your computer will recognize. See last week's edition of the TabletPCBuzz newsletter for info on downloading PowerToys.

David Seavy: It is my understanding that the spec. for the Tablet PC OS says: If you have the tablet connected to a network via a CAT5 cable and you are logged into your server or internet with several windows/applications open, you can pull the plug on the CAT5 cable and the system should automatically switch to using the wireless network with no loss of connectivity. Is that correct? Does it really work?

TPCBuzz: In theory this is correct. Unfortunately not every application has the ability to do this, and it doesn't always work properly. So the answer to your question is yes and no. Sometimes in some programs it will work, and in some other programs it won't.

Got a question about the Tablet PC OS? A specific Tablet PC? Wondering how to do something with your Tablet PC? Whatever your question, send it to Ask the Buzz at spg@tabletpcbuzz.com. Thanks!

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"Instant messaging (IM) got more spirited and savvy today with the worldwide availability of a public preview program for MSN® Messenger 6. The launch ends the era of "vanilla" instant messaging, when everyone's IM interface looked the same; :-o was considered an expressive emoticon; and IM lovers had to go elsewhere to play games or share live video. MSN Messenger 6, available beginning today at 11 a.m. PDT from http://messenger.msn.com/download/v6preview.asp , helps users create their own online identities through customized display pictures, backgrounds and emoticons."

Speculation seems to suggest that it will be a later release than the leaked version circulating now, so even current users may consider upgrading. Ink support in MSN Messenger 6 is much more advanced and polished than in the Windows Messenger 5 beta, so if you IM a lot on your tablet, check it out.

(Editors Update: The download is now available, click here to visit the download site.)