Why I Take My Tablet PC Everywhere
Published: March 18, 2005
By Armelle O'Neal
Three years ago I didn't know what a Tablet PC was. Now I can't imagine my life without one. What has happened in three years? Well, I started working in the Tablet PC group at Microsoft in July 2003 and was given a Tablet PC on my first day. I wasn't sure whether it was another cool gadget or if it was really a laptop and then some. Now, I know. My Tablet PC is everything that it promises to be and one of the few items I take everywhere.
In this article, I'll discuss how I use my Tablet PC during the work day while I'm away from my desk.
On This Page
Annotate Documents
A Tablet PC is a perfect tool for reviewing and annotating documents, slide presentations, Web pages, and more—whether you're at your desk or on the go. When you're trying to get things done in transitional environments, such as a bus stop, a dentist's office, or a commuter train, you can write comments by using a pen more easily than you can by using a keyboard.
Before you can mark up a document, you must create a document image.
To create a document image
1. | Open the document in the program in which it was created (for example, Microsoft Word or Microsoft PowerPoint) or in which you're viewing it (for example, Microsoft Internet Explorer). |
2. | On the File menu, tap Print. |
3. | In the Print dialog box, select Journal Note Writer in the Name box, and then tap OK.  Create a document image to annotate documents |
4. | In the Save As dialog box, give the document a new name if you want, and then tap Save. Microsoft Windows Journal opens and displays the document image. |
Now you're ready to annotate your document image.
To annotate a document image
1. | Use your pen to annotate the document.  Annotate your document images to get work done in the office or on the go. |
2. | To flag part of the document, such as an action item that you need to follow up on, tap Flag on the Pen toolbar. |
3. | To highlight a segment of the document, such as a paragraph you're adding a comment about, tap Highlight on the Pen toolbar. |
Take and Share Meeting Notes
A Tablet PC is also perfectly suited for a meeting environment where typing and the ongoing clicking of the keyboard may annoy and distract other meeting attendees. Using a tablet pen and a note-taking accessory such as Windows Journal, you can write notes quietly.
To convert handwritten notes into typed text
Sometimes you need to share your meeting notes with other people. You can send them a copy of your handwritten notes, but unless you have good penmanship, your notes may be difficult to read. Instead, you can convert the notes into typed text before you share them with others.
1. | Tap Start, and then tap Windows Journal. |
2. | Take notes during the meeting and then save the Journal file with a meaningful name, such as the meeting name and date. |
3. | On the Pen toolbar, tap Selection Tool, and then select the handwritten notes that you want to convert.  Convert your handwritten notes to typed text. See the image below to see how this works. |
4. | On the Actions menu, tap Convert Handwriting to Text. |
5. | In the Text Correction dialog box, make any necessary corrections to the converted text, and then tap OK.  The handwritten text from the image above has been converted to typed text. |
6. | Tap either Copy to the Clipboard or Insert in the same Journal note, based on how you want to use the typed text, and then tap Finish. |
7. | If you chose Copy to the Clipboard, open the destination program and then paste the copied text. |
To convert handwritten notes into an Outlook task
When taking notes, you may want to flag action items that you need to complete or track. You may also want to record the name and phone numbers of meeting attendees.
1. | To convert ink to an e-mail message, tap Selection Tool, on the Pen, toolbar, and then select the ink that you want to convert. |
2. | On the Actions menu, tap Convert selection to, and then tap Outlook Task. |
3. | In the Convert to Outlook task dialog box, make any necessary corrections to the converted text, and then tap Convert. |
4. | In the Task dialog box, select an item in the appropriate boxes (such as Due date and Priority).  Turn your handwritten notes into an Outlook task. |
5. | Tap Save and Close. |
A Tablet PC provides all of the advantages of a laptop plus the ease and flexibility of a notepad and a pen. It gives people who are hesitant to embrace computers a great way to make the transition and immediately experience the advantages of using a mobile PC.
