Hi Rick Barrett. You wrote:

> There has been some dicussion lately on the list about difficulties with
> handwriting.
> I attend a lot of meetings and this requires me to take a lot of notes.
> I have been using a small tape recorder (dictaphone) to record the important
> points. Later at my own pace I transcribe the notes for my file, either on
> paper or on the computer.

I was lucky enough to come across the Microwriter - a five-key keyboard
device - some years ago. It works by each letter, number or symbol being
a combination of one or more of the keys. It took me ONE & A HALF HOURS
ONLY to learn the key combinations and by using the machine for half an
hour each day for three months, I can now touch-type one-handed with it
not only faster than I ever could on a QWERTY keyboard, but also faster,
more accurately and much more legibly than my handwriting.

It was a UK firm, but I believe there was a similar device in USA,
called the QUINKEY (?)

The Microwriter company produced an electronic organiser (the AgendA)
with the 5-key keyboard on it, and so I can still take notes with it on
my lap, while looking at whoever is speaking or demonstrating. (It looks
a little as if I am "playing with myself" but it is invaluable.)

Sadly, Microwriter went bust, but I am trying to find a firm who will
produce a keyboard at reasonale price based on the Microwriter
principle. It need only be 4" wide x 3" deep, and quite flat.

If anyone knows of a firm who might take this up and do a little
development on it, we could have a super touch-type keyboard which could
be either left- or right-handed, and it could be designed to operate
piggyback from any computer's own keyboard socket. It need not
necessitate discarding the original keyboard either.


> There have been a few awkward moments when I have to turn away
> from the group to whisper into my machine. The simple explanation
> that "I'm having some difficulty writing" seem to put everyone at
> ease - people get very uncomfortable around tape recorders.

This problem doesn't occur with the AgendA.

> I have even found dictation to be useful for taking directions over
> the phone (people think you are just repeating the message for accuracy),
> making up a grocery lists, etc.

My AgendA is useful for the same. It is 7" wide x 3" deep x 3/4" thick,
so can be kept in a jacket pocket.

> Of course it can't take the place of handwriting. I recently bought a
> new car. I thought I would never make it through the paperwork!

Other people's paperwork is a pain. I've started to ask sales people to
write for me, saying I will sign it when they have finished! :-)

> Since typing is also giving me a tough time (I type with one hand)

So do I and it's NO problem!!!

Anyone reading this who'ld like to take it further? Hand-keying is so
much quieter than dictation.
--
Jeremy Browne, Hampshire, UK
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Shaking Hands BBS, Fidonet 2:252/160 (+44 1252 626233, also FAX)