Transcript: Tablet PC, February 02, 2005
Published: February 16, 2005
Please note: Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity
Introduction
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Hi everyone, and welcome to the Tablet PC chat!
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Today we are answering your questions about Tablet PC.
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Now, I'll have our hosts for the chat today introduce themselves:
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
I'm Andrew Brown, and I'm the MVP Lead for Tablet PC, and the moderator for this chat.
robert (Expert):
Hi, I'm Robert Williams, Director of Business Development and Partner Engineering for the Mobile Platforms Division. I joined the tablet team in 2001.
WNewquay mvp (Expert):
Hi, WNewquay here. Microsoft MVP - Tablet PC - frequently found on http://tabletpcbuzz.com, happy owner of TC1100 and M200
Manoj_MS (Expert):
Hi, I'm Manoj. I am a developer in the Tablet PC Platform Group at Microsoft.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Hi my name is Frank Gocinski and I work on ISV Evangelism and Business Development for the Tablet PC team. Thanks for joining us today!
Start of Chat
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: hi folks ... recently I lost my ability to write in hand write in applications such as OneNote and word. I can still write in the TIP and everything converts, but I can no longer just use my handwriting. any ideas??
A: Hi Karan, can you give me some more information about your problem, how your system is currently configured and what you may have installed lately?
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: I was trying newer NVIDIA graphics drivers to address some TIP and graphics slowness based on info I saw in the TabletPCBuzz forums, but I also reverted to the last released Toshiba drivers
A: did you back out the graphics driver and test to see if that was causing the problem?
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: Re: NVIDIA drivers: I installed .net 2.0 beta recently and thought that may have caused it ... I uninstalled with no help
A: You might want to ask about this in our tablet newsgroups I think they may be able to help, do you know how to go there?
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: frankgo_ms - yes, I’ve reverted to the last official Toshiba released NVIDIA drivers
A: if you could pin down closer when it stopped working that would help, I know this is tough but it sounds like something in your setup caused the problem.
robert (Expert):
Q: Any tips on how to increase battery life? Each of my older batteries lasted just over an hour. How can I condition my new battery to that it lasts longer? (Toshiba Portege 3500)
A: There is a lot of mythology here with regard to LiIon batteries. Some folks say you should completely drain them and then recharge. Others say recharge more frequently and avoid draining them all the way down. I don't know the best answer. Suggest you try the new MSN search engine and see if you can find some articles written by battery experts. I do know that batteries can age out so new batteries every 1-2 years is a good idea.
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Q: Should the e-mail quick keys work under Outlook 2003? The web quick keys are great under IE.
A: Which Tablet PC model are you using, and what version of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition?
robert (Expert):
Q: We have 6 tablets and plan to buy more. But occasionally the computers start running very, very slowly - too slow to use. No adware, etc problems. It appears that system resources are used up even though we're only at 65-75% CPU usage.
A: This could come from many sources. Any app on the system could begin to consume too much memory if it has a bug, it could even be an issue with the OS. This phenomena shows up most readily in under resourced machines. I suggest you have at least 512MB RAM installed in all of your tablets and XP notebooks. The cleanest answer is to reboot when this happens. I know that's unpleasant but it is guaranteed to work.
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Q: is it illegal to own a beta if you are not a official beta tester, or will I be able to get a beta from my friend?
A: Please visit https://beta.microsoft.com/ if you wish to participate in a Microsoft beta, as that is the correct procedure to obtain access.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: We also need a very simple application - one that lets us annotate anywhere on the screen at anytime. Hitachi ships an app like this with their big Starboards but they want $500 for it! Where can we go to have an app like this written for us?
A: Check out tabletpcpost.com there are some applications (inkyboard comes to mind) that allows you to write on the screen, if you’re a developer check out our tablet development center http://msdn.micrsoft.com/tabletpc we have a sample called the annotator that will show you how to do this.
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Q: To Andrew will I be sure to be selected, or they just grab a couple?
A: All the instructions are available on the web site. It depends on the specific program whether or not a limited set of users will be selected.
robert (Expert):
Q: Does installing XP SP2 on an old Tablet PC include everything that you would get if you do an upgrade from the 2 CD Tablet PC 2005 kit?
A: yes. If you install SP2 on a V1 tablet you get the full tablet 2005 edition
robert (Expert):
Q: Is there a supported way to add Tablet capability to a desktop as either a PEN enabled second monitor or a high quality writing devise?
A: you need a monitor that has an active digitizer built in
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: Is there a supported way to add Tablet capability to a desktop as either a PEN enabled second monitor or a high quality writing devise?
A: also check out http://www.wacom.com they have external digitizers that may satisfy your need
robert (Expert):
Q: Frank: I just got in, so not sure if this has been covered or not. PC World was announcing two tablets from HP today. Only the TC4200 announced today. Any ideas?
A: The announcement is occurring at the same time as this call so I don't know exactly what they said or didn't say. They have only one new tablet design. I suspect what they meant by two new tablets is one new design with two unique configs and price points.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: Is there a certified for Tablet PC logo on software products that fully integrate Tablet PC technology? Where can I get a list of such applications and what the logo looks like?
A: There is not a tablet specific logo program, we do have a partner program for ISVs at http://www.tabletpcpartners.com and are currently in process talking with the Windows Client folks about logos in the future. To find out about tablet apps available today check out http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/partners/software.mspx and http://www.tabletpcpost.com/
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: Can you give us some ideas on what to look forward to at Windows Anywhere next week?
A: Windows Anywhere will focus on tablet and mobile pc development, you can find more information at http://www.microsoftwindowsanywhere.com
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: Where can I find out more about the TIP dictionary and how to manage its contents?
A: The TIP and Speech share the same dictionary, if you’re a developer check out the articles on http://msdn.microsoft.com/tabletpc, if you’re an end user you may want to consult the help on your system.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: If one had the Tablet PC OS on a desktop computer that's equipped with a pen/touch screen or similar pen input device, would that work to have same functions as in real Tablet PC? And is there a place with all avail. tablet pc & their specs in one place?
A: This is not a supported scenario as there is no way to get the Tablet OS other than through a Tablet computer manufacturer. A developer could emulate tablet on his/her desktop if so desired - check out the development faq at http://msdn.microsoft.com/tabletpc for more information.
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Q: fyi: abletfactory.com has some great tablet dictionary tools.
A: This is a great point - definitely check out abletfactory!
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: With Tablet PC 2005 there are tables where you can customize an application for Tablet PC . Is Microsoft making any effort to compile some of those customizations for Microsoft Standard applications and make them available for download?
A: What tables are you referring to?
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Q: do you have some good links for troubleshooting the major programs in tablet
A: I'd recommend visiting the Tablet PC newsgroup - you can find all our newsgroups here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroups/default.asp
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Q: There have been very nice improvements in the user input between Tablet PC V1 and 2005. User input on Pocket PC has not really changed since it was initially released several years ago. Is there any effort to move some of the technology learn to Pocket PC?
A: All groups at Microsoft look for synergies between products, but no announcements have been made in that area specifically.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: Any news on better ink integration with Outlook? Anything to look forward to?
A: The office team is constantly taking feedback from customers which is what drives their release plans, enhanced ink support is a common question but hearing it more from you would help. You should log onto the office newsgroups and ask the same question, they’d love to hear your ideas.
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
This concludes our Tablet PC chat for today. Thanks for coming, everyone!
Andrew_MSFT (Moderator):
Please feel free to stay and continue to chat about Tablet PC or other Windows topics.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Have to run, thanks for all the great questions and feedback...
