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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 [log in to unmask] Shaking Hands BBS, Fidonet 2:252/160 (+44 1252 626233, also FAX)