Ink Crossword

Ink Crossword is an application released by Microsoft and bundle on the Experience pack for Tablet PC users. The program comes with 12 starting puzzles and user are able to download more from MS. The program is really easy to use with only a pen, eraser and reveal the letter buttons as the main interactive tools. There is another information button next to the interactive tools that shows the remainder of letter still available. A timer sits on the top right corner to keep tabs on the time, and users are able to pause it or hide it at any time. Also, pointing on the any square with the stylus will scroll the boxes on the side to the respected piece of information for across and down. Overall is a simple program that let's user have an interactive crossword puzzle with enough tools for the noobs to start doing crosswords.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tabletpc/experiencepack/overview.mspx

Bamboo Minis 'Doodler'

About a month ago I wrote about the bamboo dock by wacom.

http://tabletpcsoftware.blogspot.com/2010/01/bamboo-dock.html

Now I want to dig a little bit into the different "minis" that are available starting with the Doodler.

It's basically a simple drawing program. You have one brush, an eraser, some colors, a drag and drop feature and undo, and that's all you are getting.

The algorithm for pen recognition is not very fast and sometimes it takes a while for the program to recognize a stroke. The default brush doesn't have any features and user cannot even change the size of the brush. The eraser's size also cannot be change so you are out of luck if you want to erase a big part of a drawing.

The drag and drop feature let's you drop the current image into any image editing program, it's a nice touch but I would have prefer to have a better drawing algorithm or even be able to change the size of the eraser.

As it is, it is not a good drawing the program but only a simple application to take notes. It's kind of disappointing that Wacom couldn't create a useful drawing application. Most computer already have Paint so having a free good drawing application would have been a great addition.

http://bamboo.wacom.eu/dock-minis/en/

Rocket Dock

The rocket dock is an application luncher with a nice and simple design interface. A user can create an icon and drop it into the dock allowing and continue to add program or windows. Program windows can be set to minimize to the dock but I did have a problem once I added to many shortcuts as the contents of the dock went outside the desktop space.

Once you get used to the dock, dig into the setting to really get the full potential of the application. Changing the color settings and checking the auto hide really changes the utility of the dock. Plus is a really easy on the memory so computers with lower RAM can feel safe using it.

The best thing: it's free. Really a great piece of software that anybody should try.

http://rocketdock.com/

SnagIt

Snagit is an image capturing program that lets you capture any part of the screen and add notes.

The program allows you to capture different parts of the screen and then you can trim them, add text, arrows, marks almost anything that you would need to mark an image.

It's not specifically made for the tablet PC but it is so help and easy to use that I couldn't help but to include it. Plus using the tablet stylus is much easier.

You can download snagit with a 30 day trial or buy it for 49.99.

http://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.asp

Web Search Power Tool

Web Search power tool is a simple application that lets you search the web by writing on the Ink area and hitting search. Users can select their preferred search engine and whether the search tool sits on top of all programs and that is about it on the options. It's a great tool for users who rely on web searches.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/e/b/5eb3bfd3-7b27-433d-8e14-fa533c80aa98/WebSearchPowerToolforTabletPCsetup.exe

InScribe Tablet Keyboard

In Scribe is a keyboard that lets the users type with the pen by taping on the keys or by sliding across the keyboard. InScribe it's a lightweight application that sits on top of all programs without eating the computer's memory. The best part is that there are a lot of options in how to use it. Users can create their own keyboards and customize it from the location of the keys to the transparency of the whole keyboard. It's a great program for table user looking for an alternative to the windows keyboard.

http://www.iliumsoft.com/site/fp/inscribe.php

Ink Flash Cards

Ink Flash Cards is another program from the microsoft education pack. It's a very useful program for creating flash cards with a simple to use interface and lots of options. User can create sets with text and images and 'play' them, letting you see the front first and a few seconds later the answer. Definitely something worth while for a college student looking for a way to study.