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2009-05-26
, 03:43
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Joined on Oct 2007
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#342
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Originally Posted by dick-richardson
Well, yes. But (unless you're good with LaTeX) try taking notes in any subject using calculus in a text editor.
While I agree with you to a certain point, there are input methods that just don't work on a 4" (or 3.5") screen. Yes, drawing a straight line with your finger is stupid, but only slightly less so than the sketch program installed w/the n810. I never use it, even with the stylus, because the available area is abysmal and I can get a single word or small word combinations. The note program is MUCH quicker.
The sketch program, of course, is really abysmal.You could tell this by the fact that Nokia developed it.
Seriously, though, it's a (very rudimentary) raster graphics program -- which is exactly wrong for taking notes. You want vector graphics, and if possible extra stuff like inserting text (to take advantage of the speed of text input for the parts of your notes that don't need geometric layout). Xournal is the best I've used, although liqbase comes close.So comparing Xournal to some real text editor like joe that might be used for text-only note-taking would be more fair, and I at least find Xournal highly usable. 3.5" screen? Almost the same usability, because I can't write on the whole screen -- I have to rest my hand on the bezel, so I can only effectively write on the right 2/3. With the smaller screen, I'll be able to see less (without zooming) but I'll be able to write essentially the same increment between scrolling the page.
Originally Posted by dick-richardson
For me (for some types of use*), the 'default' method of use is to have the stylus already between my fingers -- hence no thought-train-breakage. (I tend to use a soft-plastic mechanical pencil, with the lead retracted. Full length makes an unimaginable improvement in stylus utility, which is one reason I'm not too keen on the guitar-pick. I can always hook a mechanical-pencil-stylus on a strap if I want; since it's not in the device, why should it be small?!)
Because that's the 'default' method of use. In other words, it's already down.
*I don't like speaking up in these things -- afraid it'll turn out like the guy who walked out into a Civil War battlefield with a grey shirt and blue trousers. I use stylus for some things, and fingers for other things, and randomly use whatever I was last using for the majority. I'd hate it for either one to go away, which is why I want a screen with capacitve touch and active digitizer....
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2009-05-26
, 04:08
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Posts: 5,795 |
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Joined on Feb 2007
@ Agoura Hills Calif
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#343
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Originally Posted by johnkzin
And you can touch-type on the keyboard? I find hunting for those letters distracting. Sure, on a standard-sized keyboard I can type 70 wpm without looking down. Not on my tablet.
Exactly.
And even if it was closed, I can open the keyboard without shifting my hands, changing my focus, etc. To pull out the stylus, I have to shift my grip on the device, even for a little bit, and that requires more thought, and thus a change in focus/attention.
On the other hand, I find using a stylus more -- intuitive. I can certainly write a note without looking down.
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2009-05-26
, 04:16
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Posts: 1,878 |
Thanked: 646 times |
Joined on Sep 2007
@ San Jose, CA
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#344
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Originally Posted by geneven
Touch type (meaning "type without looking") ... almost. And I can type pretty fast that way... on my G1. With the N810's keyboard? no, not even a little. But that's not because of "physical keyboard vs stylus", that because of "keyboard with amazingly bad ergonomics". But, either way, it is less of a cognitive shift to look down and watch what I'm typing, than to change my mode of input.
And you can touch-type on the keyboard? I find hunting for those letters distracting. Sure, on a standard-sized keyboard I can type 70 wpm without looking down. Not on my tablet.
On the other hand, I find using a stylus more -- intuitive. I can certainly write a note without looking down.
As for stylus, to me, the stylus is a specialized input device, for when I need precision. For all other touch screen control, I prefer using my finger. Even when I had my stylus pre-placed in my hand, I still found it to be a cognitive interruption to switch input modes for using it.
Whereas, with the NIT held firmly in both hands, I could use my thumbs for everything (slide closed, thumb around on the screen, slide open, type, slide closed, thumb navigate, slide open, type, hit the dpad some, etc.). I don't find those operations to be a cognitive interruption at all.
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2009-05-26
, 04:17
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Posts: 5,335 |
Thanked: 8,187 times |
Joined on Mar 2007
@ Pennsylvania, USA
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#345
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Originally Posted by geneven
I can. I type faster on my N810's hardware keyboard than I ever did on my N800's stylus keyboard. I even prefer the N810's keyboard to my Bluetooth Stowaway keyboard.
And you can touch-type on the keyboard?
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2009-05-26
, 04:22
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Posts: 1,878 |
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Joined on Sep 2007
@ San Jose, CA
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#346
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Originally Posted by sjgadsby
I agree with preferring the N810's physical keyboard over all of the soft text entries on Maemo (handwriting, thumb keyboard, stylus keyboard).
I can. I type faster on my N810's hardware keyboard than I ever did on my N800's stylus keyboard. I even prefer the N810's keyboard to my Bluetooth Stowaway keyboard.
I'm not sure I'd agree with preferring the N810 keyboard over a full size one though. The Stowaway didn't impress me, but I got a Mathias folding USB keyboard that I bet I'd love, if I had it on my N810. (I use it with my Samsung Q1 Ultra, and my Dell Mini-9/Vostro-A90)
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2009-05-26
, 04:23
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Posts: 213 |
Thanked: 97 times |
Joined on Jan 2008
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#347
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So does the N900 no longer use a stylus? Since if it didn't I think that'd be a deal-breaker for me... I can't imagine how painful it would be to do things like browse the web, or play games like Wargus, OpenTTD, Exult, Eboard, Numpty Physics, ScummVM games, etc, etc. using just my fingers, bleh. 
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2009-05-26
, 06:21
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Posts: 3,790 |
Thanked: 5,718 times |
Joined on Mar 2006
@ Vienna, Austria
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#348
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Originally Posted by CyberCat
it's just another phone. you don't do such things on phones, anyway, stylus or not. go get a decent portable computer. i'm gonna start looking for one. (the market's not exactly flooded, is it?)
I can't imagine how painful it would be to do things like browse the web, or play games like Wargus, OpenTTD, Exult, Eboard, Numpty Physics, ScummVM games, etc, etc. using just my fingers, bleh.
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2009-05-26
, 06:34
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Posts: 213 |
Thanked: 97 times |
Joined on Jan 2008
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#349
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Originally Posted by benny1967
No it's not... I guess I better start looking, do you have any suggestions for good alternatives? I'm trying to find something that combines open software with pocketable size and stylus-driven touch screen. I've been looking around, Pepper pad is too big, the OQO is too bulky and expensive, iPhone/touch is too proprietary, Palm's offerings are too limited, the ARCHOS are too proprietary, netbooks and UMPCs are usually either too large and or expensive. Surely there is something out there!? The Pandora console seems the best compromise I've found, but even at that it's not really want I want... gah.
go get a decent portable computer. i'm gonna start looking for one. (the market's not exactly flooded, is it?)
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2009-05-26
, 07:12
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#350
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Originally Posted by CyberCat
OQO is dead. PepperPad hasn't had an update in ages - I could be wrong on this one, not even worth my attention any longer.
No it's not... I guess I better start looking, do you have any suggestions for good alternatives? I'm trying to find something that combines open software with pocketable size and stylus-driven touch screen. I've been looking around, Pepper pad is too big, the OQO is too bulky and expensive, iPhone/touch is too proprietary, Palm's offerings are too limited, the ARCHOS are too proprietary, netbooks and UMPCs are usually either too large and or expensive. Surely there is something out there!? The Pandora console seems the best compromise I've found, but even at that it's not really want I want... gah
Palm... WebOS is way too similar to iPhone/Touch version of OS X.
Pandora... I'm excited by it, but only because I want something that will allow me to play games.
And above all, I'm not too enthusiastic about this direction from Nokia either. Guess since this is step 4 out of 5... I'll be waiting for step 5 then.
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| Tags |
| disapointed by nokia, dpad, maemo phone, my tablet is crying, n900, nokia gets it wrong, openmoko, rover, rx-51, rx-71 needed, screen size, smartphone, t-mobile |
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Last edited by jandmdickerson; 2009-05-26 at 04:08.