Handwriting recognition under Windows XP?

[Bernd]

I use Windows XP Pro SP1 and wonder if OneNote supports handwriting
recognition, a suitable graphics tablet provided.

I find conflicting information on microsoft.com. KB306906
(http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306906&sd=tech)
talks about enabling handwriting recognition for all Office XP products under
Windows XP, whereas a OneNote FAQ
(http://www.microsoft.com/office/onenote/prodinfo/faq.mspx) says that
scribbles are supported, but handwriting *recognition* requires Windows
Tablet Edition.

What's right, what's wrong?

Discussing this with Microsoft tech support is a catch-22: they won't
provide free email support because I am still using the 60-day evaluation
version, and I won't buy the full version until I have clarity on this
subject.... Grrrr.

 

[Chris H.]

Handwriting recognition of Ink in OneNote is only available with the proper
digitizers on Tablet PCs.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -

 

[Bernd]

Ouch. That's a real bummer, OneNote is such a useful application; it would be
much more useful still if it could recognize handwriting. Aparently (See
KB306906) other office applications can; any chance Microsoft will consider
this enhancement in a future version?

 

[P Cause]

I just purchased a tablet with a en and using the MS office handwriting
recogniiton works fine on entey. I cna use write anywhere or the writing
area stuff and it converts to text as I enter

 

[Chris H.]

I can't speak for Microsoft, Bernd, but the experience in other Office
applications emulating Ink isn't good on a desktop or laptop, compared to a
Tablet PC. The Tablets use digital recognizers, which sample at three to
four times that of a mouse (or writing pad) so more of the stroke
information is captured. More captured information equals better
recognition.

On a Tablet PC, OneNote uses the advantages of the engines available only on
the Tablet for recognition, and the result is very, very good.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -