Tablet PC (January 4, 2006)
Published: January 19, 2006
Please Note:Portions of this chat have been edited for clarity.
Introduction:
MarkL (Moderator):
Hello everyone, we’re going to start our chat now. We are pleased to welcome our Tablet PC Experts. I will have them introduce themselves now…
VictoriaKruse_MS (Expert):
Hi, I'm a Program Manager on the team that released the Experience and Education Packs for Tablet PC.
ArinG [MS] (Expert):
Hello, I'm Arin Goldberg, ISV Architect for the Tablet PC team
Chris H Tablet PC (Expert):
Welcome to the chat! I'm a Tablet PC MVP, and Tablet PC enthusiast.
Michelle_MS (Expert):
Hi, I'm Michelle McKelvey. I'm a technical evangelist with the Tablet PC and Mobile PC team.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Hi thanks for joining today, my name is Frank and I work on the Tablet PC ISV team here at Microsoft.
Start of chat:
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: i have a question: how do you get ink support for firefox?
A: The best way to have applications support ink is for customers to tell the ISVs, have you asked the Firefox team?
Chris H Tablet PC (Expert):
Q: Any suggestions on getting my Tablet PC to recognize my letter "g" better ,it seems to never recognize it.
A: You could try smaller/larger writing, making sure the letter is formed not more than half-height of the writing space, and that you've got a portion of the"g" below the input line. It takes some practice.
VictoriaKruse_MS (Expert):
Q: Hey, What can we expect to see in the coming years of Tablet.ing? :S
A: In general, ink, handwriting recognition and speech technologies will continue to improve.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: Are we going to see more tablet betas and mobile features for us in the UK?
A: Are you referring to h/w betas or access to beta versions of the Windows SDK?
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: [Re:Question 8] I mean right now many mobile betas are based in the states... Will we see anything for here in the UK. I seem to remember something about mobiles and Vodafone Uk?
A: Microsoft’s beta process is worldwide, so if you’re interested in the beta testing of Windows O/S you can certainly do so from the lovely UK, if you want access to a hardware vendors beta program I suggest you contact that vendor. We certainly do encourage folks to test ww.
Chris H Tablet PC (Expert):
Q: I am looking for information about adding shapes in windows journal or maybe a program simmilar to Visio that would provide the ability to draw shapes as well as free-hand notations
A: If you have prepared shapes, you could copy/paste into Journal (such as from Viso). If you just want to "draw" you can do that freehand already.
ArinG [MS] (Expert):
Q: My first question is... Is there a way in XP to reduce/increase the amount of pressure needed by the pen to be recognized by the tablet?
A: You should contact Gateway directly about any issues you are experiencing with the pen on your M280.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: My first question is... Is there a way in XP to reduce/increase the amount of pressure needed by the pen to be recognized by the tablet?
A: There are several options available off the Text Input Panel for you to adjust the nature of the pen and calibration of the digitizer to my knowledge there is no way to adjust pressure. Why do you ask?
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: frankgo_ms: because we have 2 of these gateway tablets, and one requires more "pressure" than the other, swapping pens yields no difference on the respective tablets
A: which gateways ? The new widescreen ones 280E
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: frankgo_ms: yes, and they're pretty dang sweet!
A: Thomas, i think this may be the pen issue that you are discussing on the other threads
Chris H Tablet PC (Expert):
Q: chris h: yes I' m VERY familiar with the pen problem from gateway (had 2 replacements in first week) but that issue is now resolved, I assumed that there was a setting in some hidden config that I hadn't found that controls pen "pressure"
A: Not that I'm aware of. You might check to make sure you've got the latest Fine Point drivers installed. Otherwise contact Gateway support.
Chris H Tablet PC (Expert):
Q: chris h: where do I find the Fine Point drivers? microsoft.com?
A: Through the OEM, in this case Gateway, or from http://www.finepoint.com .
Michelle_MS (Expert):
Q: will the toshiba m200 tabletPC suffice for vista with aero enabled?
A: It works OK today and the will be making improvements with each CTP. You will need to wait to the final release to see if the performance is what you are looking for.
VictoriaKruse_MS (Expert):
Q: I'm in the market for a Tablet right now -- I'm looking specifically for a slate model -- how will the new MS operating system effect that choice? I hope to get 2-3 years of service from the purchase, and don't want to buy now if that will pose a problem.
A: Vista probably won't impact your decision nearly as much as the hardware available. Like any computer purchase, if you buy a more powerful Tablet PC, it's going to last longer (in the sense that it won't be obsolete soon) than a less powerful machine.
VictoriaKruse_MS (Expert):
Q: I have the new widescreen gateway tablet, and was curious if you could use a replaceable soft tip instead of the hard tip. I started getting scratches in the screen almost immediately. Has MS tried using different pen styles in their tests?
A: I recommend that you contact Gateway about that. I have an M280e and my pen isn't scratching the screen. You might also want to wipe your screen with a computer screen cleaner - sometimes what looks like scratches are really just streaks. The glossy screen on the Gateway does show streaks pretty easily.
VictoriaKruse_MS (Expert):
Q: Victoria: I was actually curious about a third party solution. I do use a 3M cleaning cloth regularly, but it almost seems like I am etching the screen. I think I have permanent lines from Hexic. :)
A: Yeah, I know the dangers of Hexic. :) I use a Scotch Brite cloth that came with the Gateway and it seems to work pretty well. As for alternate pen tips - I'm not aware of any 3rd party ones for the Gateway, so you'll probably need to ask Gateway about that. Did any spare pen tips come with your Gateway? It's possible that the one currently in your pen is just a bit faulty and replacing it with one of the others might work.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: what's the biggest difference between windows XP tabletPC edition vs vista's tabletPC edition?
A: Windows Vista has a collection of new features tuned for the Tablet PC including easier UI navigation through gestures, panning and zooming, multi selection capabilities with the pen, personalization of your handwriting and others, I suggest you look at <http://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsvista/mobile/>
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: Other than the medical field, what are the largest adoption market segments for the Tablet PC now? Is education picking up, or is that still in the future?
A: We are seeing broad adoption in many markets with the leaders clearly healthcare and education in addition areas like financial services, insurance, constructions, manufacturing are all doing quite well.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Tablet PC Cases Studies -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/evaluation/casestudies/default.mspx
Chris H Tablet PC (Expert):
Q: InfoPath 2003 already supports direct inking into a form/text box, any idea if a future update will allow the same in the rest of Office 2003 w/o having to use the TIP? (namely Outlook 2003)
A: Hard to tell what the future will bring, since the Office folks are currently heads-down on Office 12 beta testing. Otherwise, Microsoft hasn't announced any changes to previous Office versions.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
With resepct to infopath i'd add to the comments Chris made that the best way to get this answered is to direct the question to the Office folks during one of their chats, hearing these requests from you, the customer, goes a long way…
Chris H Tablet PC (Expert):
Q: is there an onscreen number input somewhere in xp tablet edition? something that sorta resembles an onscreen keyboard number input?
A: With the Tablet Input Panel open, tap the NUM button.
Michelle_MS (Expert):
Q: how easy it will be to upgrade the IBM X41 thinkpad to upgrade to visa (when it becomes available, do you know when this will be available)?
A: It should be simple to upgrade you IBM X41 to Vista when it releases later this year. I am running the latest CTP on my IBM x41 now.
Michelle_MS (Expert):
Q: is microsoft working closely with hardware vendors to have those aux displays we saw at the last PDC on tabletPCs?
A: Yes. We are working with OEMs to make sure SideShow (Aux Display) is available on many different devices.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: Another question, when I'm using TIP and I start to write, the commands section (Bksp, Del, Tab, etc.) disappears. Is there any way to keep it visible the entire time I'm writing?
A: I believe this is a known issue and something we’re working on
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: so then the "disapperance" is not by design... will the fix be available via windows update or will I have to keep a check on microsoft downloads for a patch/update?
A: Only the release lords can answer this question : ) it really depends on severity of issue and if there is any potential loss of data for the user.
Chris H Tablet PC (Expert):
Q: Is there a way to have window XP run old software requiring Window 3.1 and MSCDEX version 2.2 or later
A: Rich, have you tried Compatibility Mode. You can check in Help and Support for details. You may need to even install using Compatibility, but I haven't found an app that won't run on Windows XP.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: Would it be possible to have a detachable slate that had the instant on functionality of a PDA, even if it meant reduced capabilities?
A: Anything is possible, today I rely on standby mode with my Motion LE 1600 and it’s quite impressive, I can come up from standby in a matter of seconds. I think your question is a great one and you should be asking the OEMs you are interested in so they hear your wishes.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
Q: Has anyone at MS been able to duplicate that disappearing ink issue, yet? It's a little annoying.
A: Yes, we are looking into this matter and i agree it is anoying
Chris H Tablet PC (Expert):
Q: How is Vista running on the Gateway widescreen?
A: Very nice! :)
Hilton Locke [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: how much crossover will we see with XP Tablet and XP Media Center into Vista? I would love to be able to use my Tablet with my XBOX360 and vice versa.
A: I don't think this is answerable at this stage of Vista development.
Hilton Locke [MSFT] (Expert):
Q: Hilton - would it be feasible to use your tablet with the 360 similar to what Nintendo has done with the Game Boy Dual Screen?
A: I'm sure that if I were to be provided a 360 to test on, that would be top of my list! But as of now, I a) don't have a 360 to test on; and b) don't really know how the DS relates to your question.
Michelle_MS (Expert):
Q: Michelle - I am curious as to becoming an expert or an MVP
A: You should check out the MVP site at mvp.support.microsoft.com.
frankgo_ms (Expert):
thank you all for your questions, talk to you at the next chat...
Chris H Tablet PC (Expert):
Thanks everyone for dropping by. Enjoyable chat on Tablets!
VictoriaKruse_MS (Expert):
Thanks everyone!
MarkL (Moderator):
Well that wraps things up for our Tablet PC chat this morning. Thanks to all of our guests for joining us, and of course, to our experts for being here to answer questions. Keep in mind this chat on Tablet PCs is the first Wednesday of each month at 10am. Have a great day everyone!
