Using laptop mousepad for text input - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Great Scott · 02-28-2004, 03:42 AM

This should be a fairly easy one, and I'm pretty sure it's impossible, but I thought I'd get a second opion. I'm studying Japanese and got my hands on a nice piece of software that will help me practice my handwriting. Only problem is that drawing with a mouse is really different than by hand. Now I'm running this on an Aopen laptop with it's own mousepad. Thought that maybe if I got a PDA stylus and set the sensitivity to highest it might just work for text input. No such luck. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas how I might get this to work. (incidentally Windows XP Pro SP1, all updates, 1024MB)

Vanquish · 02-28-2004, 04:08 AM

Well, I dont know about your laptop but with mine, nothing but skin works on the touch pad. Dont know why (not big on laptop tech) but that might be a problem?

VF19 · 02-28-2004, 07:07 AM

You might cut a little piece of skin off the back of your hand and put it on your stylus. Sure, there's the smell when it rots, but who minds a little bit of death aroma?

flamingpeach · 02-28-2004, 01:15 PM

maybe something like a wacom is what you are looking for.

Great Scott · 02-28-2004, 07:52 PM

Thanks Peach. Looks like exactly what I need...

ratbastid · 02-28-2004, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vanquish
Well, I dont know about your laptop but with mine, nothing but skin works on the touch pad. Dont know why (not big on laptop tech) but that might be a problem?

It doesn't go by pressure, like a PDA screen does. It goes by the conductivity of your skin.

JohnnyRoyale · 03-01-2004, 07:19 AM

I don't know if this helps or not, but I know there's handwriting (thorugh the mouse)support for Office 2003....I have a "writing pad" I can use, and it has text translation. I haven't fully investigated what it can/can't do, but it might be a possibility.

Great Scott · 03-01-2004, 08:04 AM

Might be interesting Johnny. Can you get a bit more specific with the details?

tritium · 03-01-2004, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ratbastid
It doesn't go by pressure, like a PDA screen does. It goes by the conductivity of your skin.

Not only that, but the mousepad also isn't concerned with position on the touch. It watches direction of movement and controls the mouse pointer direction as a relative variable. So, ya can't cross your T's simply by running your finger across the top of the mousepad. You'd need to have the cursor up there first...

You already know this though. Just stating this plainly so non-computer geeks don't get confused. You need a WACOM tablet or the cheaper versions from Aiptek (or is it Aiptech?)

Fenton-J-Cool · 03-01-2004, 05:44 PM

that WOULD be pretty sweet

JohnnyRoyale · 03-02-2004, 06:35 PM

Here's the Alternative Input for Office XP:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

It makes the mouse work like a PDA pen, kinda. has text recognition & stuff.

02-28-2004, 03:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Great Scott Insane Location: In a huge maze just trying to find my cheese	Using laptop mousepad for text input This should be a fairly easy one, and I'm pretty sure it's impossible, but I thought I'd get a second opion. I'm studying Japanese and got my hands on a nice piece of software that will help me practice my handwriting. Only problem is that drawing with a mouse is really different than by hand. Now I'm running this on an Aopen laptop with it's own mousepad. Thought that maybe if I got a PDA stylus and set the sensitivity to highest it might just work for text input. No such luck. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas how I might get this to work. (incidentally Windows XP Pro SP1, all updates, 1024MB)

02-28-2004, 01:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
flamingpeach hip mama Location: redmond, washington	maybe something like a wacom is what you are looking for. __________________ I've eaten my veggies all my life so bring it on, I am educated and strong for the revolution.

03-01-2004, 07:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
JohnnyRoyale Psycho Location: Boston, MAss., USA	I don't know if this helps or not, but I know there's handwriting (thorugh the mouse)support for Office 2003....I have a "writing pad" I can use, and it has text translation. I haven't fully investigated what it can/can't do, but it might be a possibility. __________________ I'm gonna be rich and famous, as soon I invent a device that lets you stab people in the face over the internet.

03-01-2004, 05:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
Fenton-J-Cool Insane Location: Toronto	that WOULD be pretty sweet __________________ wra

03-02-2004, 06:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
JohnnyRoyale Psycho Location: Boston, MAss., USA	Here's the Alternative Input for Office XP: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en It makes the mouse work like a PDA pen, kinda. has text recognition & stuff. __________________ I'm gonna be rich and famous, as soon I invent a device that lets you stab people in the face over the internet.

02-28-2004, 04:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Vanquish Insane Location: Truro, Nova Scotia	Well, I dont know about your laptop but with mine, nothing but skin works on the touch pad. Dont know why (not big on laptop tech) but that might be a problem?

02-28-2004, 07:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
VF19 Banned Location: back to my old location	You might cut a little piece of skin off the back of your hand and put it on your stylus. Sure, there's the smell when it rots, but who minds a little bit of death aroma?

02-28-2004, 07:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
Great Scott Insane Location: In a huge maze just trying to find my cheese	Thanks Peach. Looks like exactly what I need...

03-01-2004, 08:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
Great Scott Insane Location: In a huge maze just trying to find my cheese	Might be interesting Johnny. Can you get a bit more specific with the details?