Re: Handwriting - worth the effort?
 

I think that was a third party program that enabled you to write anywhere. Out of the box, on a Palm you had to write in the entry area.

How "open" is Maemo? Would a developer be able to write an addition to the OS where you could gesture into a text box, then write in the text box and Maemo would think that box is an entry area?

Re: Handwriting - worth the effort?
 

I don't think you can do that. However, you can implement your own input methods. But they have to fit in the center section of the on-screen keyboard (everything except the left and right columns, which are the same for all input methods). You have some control over the buttons at the sides, as seen in the built-in HWR, but not much.

A graffiti implementation is definitely possible, as is quikwriting, a stylus-Dvorak keyboard, or a telegraph key, if you were so inclined.

See:
http://maemo.org/development/documen...t_methods.html

Re: Handwriting - worth the effort?
 

It is because the palm operating system (garnet) is owned by a company called access. All modern palm pda's had the os tweaked by palm to give different pim features as well as stuff like full screen graffiti.

b
 

No, absolutely not. I have 2 T3s, and out of the box they can do this. To engage the write-anywhere function you tap a little icon on the built-in PalmOS status bar. On 5.2.1 and probably every later version you can write anywhere. Look for the wiggly line on the status bar.

Re: Handwriting - worth the effort?
 

Fair enough! I always thought I needed a third party app. Learn something new everyday!

Finally got my N800 yesterday. The HWR is....well....interesting ;-) I'll see what it is like on OS2008, but at this stage I'll be giving it a miss. I really was spoilt on the 2100. But I am loving this device! Streaming audio rocks :-)