Live & learn windows tablets, ed 1

Live & Learn: Windows Tablets, Ed. 1

Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 5

Productivity tips ........................................................................................................................................ 6

Making notes – on anything! ................................................................................................................ 6

Using a calculator - in your own handwriting! ...................................................................................... 7

How to add more space in Windows Journal ....................................................................................... 8

How can I organize notes on my tablet PC? ....................................................................................... 10

How do I add support for a new language in the Input panel? .......................................................... 11

What is the Snipping tool for? ............................................................................................................ 12

Sharing Sticky Notes with other tablets .............................................................................................. 13

Optimizing your tablet ............................................................................................................................ 15

Customizing display rotation .............................................................................................................. 15

Speed up the way your pen works with controls ............................................................................... 19

Use an external monitor even if your tablet lacks a VGA or DVI port ................................................ 20

Customize visual effects and speed up your tablet ............................................................................ 21

How can I create a shortcut icon to initiate hibernation? .................................................................. 24

How can I change which side of the tablet my menus open on? ....................................................... 27

How to use your tablet’s buttons to access applications ................................................................... 29

How can I use an external monitor with a tablet PC?......................................................................... 32

How to set up handwriting recognition .............................................................................................. 33

Games ..................................................................................................................................................... 36

Tic Tac Toe on a tablet ........................................................................................................................ 36

What does your writing say about you? ............................................................................................. 37

Random Tips ........................................................................................................................................... 38

Copyright©2010 www.metaplume.com and www.shanzai.com Page 2


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Metaplume Corporation:
www.metaplume.com

Established in March 2008, MetaPlume is a fast-growing global digital marketing
company with operations in the UK, Australia, India, and Taiwan.

The company offers a broad spectrum of website design and development, digital
content creation, digital content promotion, and digital content services that provide you
with creative and affordable solutions for boosting their global visibility and mindshare.

MetaPlume works with you to develop customized solutions based on your exact digital
marketing requirements, enabling you to reach and engage with your precise target
audience and meet your digital marketing objectives. We also provide a full set of
measurement and monitoring services to analyze the effectiveness of your online
marketing activities and determine your company‘s visibility and image among your
target audiences.

Shanzai.com:
www.shanzai.com

Shanzai [alt. sp. shanzhai or Shan Zai] literally means "Mountain Bandit or Fortress" in
Mandarin Chinese. It is a phenomenon that goes far beyond the simplistic view of
―copycat products‖ and in popular Chinese cultural usage is used to describe a vendor
who operates a business without observing traditional rules or practices -- often
resulting in innovative and unusual products or business models. Reading the stories on
Shanzai.com will open your eyes to a whole new business phenomenon that is affecting
all of our lives whether we realize it or not.

Shanzai.com tracks the products, trends and reach of China's local to global tech
culture. It also offers a growing collection of turorials and tips for tablet PC users.



Introduction

Whether you call it a tablet PC, MID, iPad, booklet PC or even a slate, tablets are a
smaller and sleeker version of a netbook, fitted with a touchscreen and without the
keyboard. Tablets provide the equivalent experience of working on a desktop but in a
very handy portable format.

Microsoft first launched the term tablet PC in 2001 and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
is a version of Windows XP specially designed for tablet PCs.

A tablet PC can be used for Internet browsing or as a music player, as a gaming gadget
and a learning device. Windows XP powered tablets support tablet pens and therefore
support a lot of interesting functions and handwritten applications.

This eBook has a collection of multiple tiny utilities to enhance your experience on your
Windows powered tablet PC, such as handwriting calculator, Sticky Notes, the Snipping
Tool and PhatWare PhatPad. Learn small tweaks to increase productivity and the
usability of your tablet PC, such as customizing the display rotation, visual effects and
the speed of your tablet PC.

This eBook even has simple tips and tricks to improve the performance of tablet PCs
by, for instance, organizing notes, adding more space to Windows Journal and setting
up handwriting recognition.

There are how-to guides as well to help you with simple steps to perform complicated
tasks, like adding a language to the input panel, or how to use tablet buttons to access
applications.

Windows XP tablet PC Edition has useful applications, but also a lot of games and
innovative applications to have fun on your tablet. Make the most of your Windows
powered tablet PC with this Live & Learn eBook.



Productivity tips
Making notes – on anything!

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition has an Experience Pack that has a lot of nifty little tools
in it. The Snipping tool allows you to select and capture a section of your tablet screen.
After capturing a part of screen, you can add a handwritten comment to it. You can even
then paste it into an email message or other program. You can download the
Experience Pack from here.
[Image Source]



Using a calculator - in your own handwriting!

Microsoft PowerToys are add-on programs that add extra fun and functions to tablet
with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

The Calculator for Tablet PC is pretty cool since it allows you to write the numbers in
your sums in your own handwriting instead of tapping number buttons. You still tap on
the symbols for mutiply, divide, etc, but the numbers in your equations are written! You
can download the Calculator PowerToy from here.

[Image Source]



How to add more space in Windows Journal

Windows Journal is a wonderful note taking application (found on Windows tablet PCs).
I love the way Windows Journal allows me to create and organize handwritten notes
and drawings. But, there are occasions when you may find yourself running out of
space. In such circumstances, the obvious option is to create a new page and continue,
but in Windows Journal there is a better way out.

Windows Journal allows inserting some additional space between your existing notes
and drawings. Here‘s how:



Tap Insert and select Insert/Remove Space.

Find a place where you want to insert more space. Tap and drag downwards. You will
see two dotted lines — the upper dotted line indicates the starting point and the lower
dotted line follows the drag. Release your finger/pen at the point where you‘re satisfied
with the amount of selected space. The new space will push your existing notes without
overriding them!

In case you want to remove the empty space between notes and drawings, follow the
same steps mentioned above, but tap and drag upwards and release to remove the
space!

[Image Source 1] | [Image Source 2]



How can I organize notes on my tablet PC?

PhatWare PhatPad is a great option for organizing notes on any of the Microsoft
Windows powered tablets.

It is an advanced notes organizer that also allows you to type text notes, sketch pictures
and make a collection of images and notes on a virtual scratch pad using digital ink
technology. Notes, as well as drawings in Bitmap, JPEG and PNG files, can be
attached to emails or transferred using Bluetooth and USB cables to other computers.
You can download a free trial here.

[Image Source]



How do I add support for a new language in the Input panel?

In Windows XP Tablet Edition you can write (with a tablet pen) in the address bar,
email, Word document (and other places) in an Input panel and this handwriting can be
turned into text. This input doesn‘t have to be just in English.

To add another language go to Start > Control Panel > Clock > Language > Region.

Select Regional and Language options.

Click on the Keyboards and Languages tab > Change keyboards.

Click Add under the Installed services.

Double click the language you want to add.

Click OK.

[Image Source]



What is the Snipping tool for?

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition has an Experience Pack that has a lot of nifty little tools
in it.

The Snipping tool allows you to select and capture a section of your tablet screen. After
capturing a part of screen, you can add a handwritten comment to it. You can even then
paste it into an email message or other program. You can download the Experience
Pack from here.

[Image Source]



Sharing Sticky Notes with other tablets

In order to share a stack of Sticky Notes with another tablet PC user, you first need to
export them to save them into a single file which can then be imported onto another
tablet.

To export:

 Tap Tools, and then tap Export.

 Select a location and give a file name for your exported notes.

 Tap Save.

To import:

 Tap Tools, and then tap Import.

 Select the exported file (probably from a USB flash drive).



 Tap Merge if you have existing Sticky Notes that you do not wish to delete, or
else tap Replace if you want to overwrite the existing stack of Sticky Notes.

 Tap Open.

[Image Source]



Optimizing your tablet
Customizing display rotation

One of the coolest features of tablet PCs is the ability to change the screen orientation.
Just like an iPhone, you can look at whatever you‘re working on either in landscape or
portrait mode. But unlike an iPhone, it won‘t automatically change just by turning the
device in your hands. Instead you can hot key a button to change it, or by tapping on
the Tablet and Pen Settings system tray icon. There is a sequence of four orientations
that you can set. After you‘ve tapped on the icon four times you will have gone through
the whole sequence. You can choose the order in which your screen orientation
changes. To customize the default screen rotation sequence, follow the following simple
steps:

From the Taskbar, tap on the Tablet and Pen Settings icon.

From the pop-up menu, select Properties to launch the Tablet and Pen
Settings window.



From the Tablet and Pen Settings window, tap on the Display tab.

Tap the Change button next to label ‗Sequence…‘



It is in this Orientation Sequence Settings window that you set up the sequence how
you want it. As you can see in the screenshot there are four sections - 1, 2, 3 and 4 with
multiple orientation options to choose from for each: Primary landscape, Primary
portrait, Secondary landscape, and Secondary portrait.

Primary landscape is the recommended first orientation for tablets because it‘s the most
used and the most convenient for using the built-in keyboard.



If you don‘t want a whole sequence of four you can select None to disable one. You
can‘t disable all four. At least one orientation has to remain active.

Once you‘ve set this up you can change the screen orientation with a single tap on
the Tablet and Pen Settings icon in the system tray. Many tablets also have an
integrated screen orientation change button on the device that can be pressed to switch
orientations.

[Image Source 1] | [Image Source 2] | [Image Source 3] | [Image Source 4] | [Image Source 5]



Speed up the way your pen works with controls

Tablet pens are comfortable to use but they can slow you down because you need to
press and hold for many functions. After a while it almost feels like you‘re constantly
telling your tablet – yes I really do mean that I want to check that box or push that
button. Why can‘t I just tap on it – why do I have to hold and wait?!

For Windows XP Tablet Edition users, you can download the Hold tool from the
collection of Microsoft PowerToys. The hold tool allows you to turn off the press and
hold functionality for certain controls like scrollbars, push buttons, check boxes, radio
buttons, spinner controls, slider controls, and tab controls. Once the tool is installed, the
next time you go to use those sorts of controls they‘ll respond when they‘re touched by
the tip of the pen (no more holding!).

[Image Source]



Use an external monitor even if your tablet lacks a VGA or DVI port

If your tablet PC doesn‘t have a VGA or DVI port you can still connect your tablet to an
external monitor.

Connect tablet to an external monitor by buying a specialized adapter that turns a USB
port into a video adaptor. Google it and you‘ll easily find places where you can get one
online.

[Image Source]



Customize visual effects and speed up your tablet

There are a few things you do to speed up your tablet and one of them is dumping down
the visual effects. I‘ll explain how to turn down visual effects in Windows XP.

Tap on Start > tap and hold on My Computer > Properties > Advanced.



Tap on Settings.



Under the Visual Effects tab, uncheck any visual effects that aren‘t completely
necessary like fading and shadows. You can always go back and tick the boxes again if
you find you really can‘t live without them, but turning off some visual effects will use
less system resources and therefore speed up your tablet.



How can I create a shortcut icon to initiate hibernation?

Tap and hold on the Desktop to display the right click menu.

Tap on New > Shortcut.



Type Rundll32.exe PowrProf.dll, SetSuspendState and tap the Next button.


Type a name for the shortcut (Hibernate would be the most logical!) and tap
the Finish button.

Now you can just tap on this new icon to hibernate your tablet.



How can I change which side of the tablet my menus open on?

When you tap a menu on a Vista powered tablet, by default Windows displays the menu
on the right hand side. However, if you are a right-handed person it may not be the best
option. Windows Vista lets you customize this by following these steps.

In Windows Vista, tap the Start button > Control Panel > Mobile PC > Tablet PC
Settings.


Under the General tab, select the appropriate radio button:

Right-handed – Selecting this will make menus appear to the left hand side.

Left-handed- Selecting this will make menus appear to the right hand side.

Save the settings and exit the Tablet PC Settings window.

[Image Source 1] | [Image Source 2] | [Image Source 3]



How to use your tablet’s buttons to access applications

Most tablet PCs have some integrated physical buttons to perform specific tasks. If you
are using a Windows based tablet, you can customize the default settings of these
buttons to perform other functions like launching applications, accessing the input panel,
navigation, etc. You can also set a single button for different functions based on
orientation. Here is how you can the change the function of a button:

Tap Start > Control Panel > Tablet and Pen Settings.

Tap the Tablet Buttons tab.



Select the screen orientation that you want to pair with the button‘s function by selecting
the orientation from the ‗Buttons settings for’ drop down menu.



Now select a button from the ‗Tablet Button‘ list and tap the Change button.

For example, to customize a button to launch an application:

1. Tap on Launch an Application.
2. Tap the Browse button and navigate to the program‘s location. For example:
C:Program FilesMozilla Thunderbirdthunderbird.exe

After selecting the application, tap OK > Apply > OK to save the settings.

[Image Source 1] | [Image Source 2] | [Image Source 3]



How can I use an external monitor with a tablet PC?

If your tablet has a VGA or DVI port, just plug your external monitor into one of the
ports, then follow these simple steps:

Right click on the Desktop icon and click on Properties.

This will open the Display properties dialog box.

Select the Settings tab.

Click on the rectangle number 2, which stands for external monitor.

Tick the option Use this device as the primary monitor and click on Apply.

Now you can use your tablet with a larger screen! You could even plug in a desktop
keyboard and mouse and use it like a desktop PC … er if you really wanted to!

[Image Source]



How to set up handwriting recognition

I like the way the iPhone allows you to fiddle with your fingers on the screen. The
handwriting recognition on a tablet is the next step and one of the coolest features of a
Windows-based tablet, allowing you to transform the input panel of your tablet into your
personal writing pad. Handwriting recognition is automatically turned on with most
Windows XP Tablet Ed. tablet PCs but if it‘s not on yours, or you want to enable it for
another language, follow these simple steps.

Go to Start > Control Panel > Regional and Language Options.

Click on the Languages tab.

Select the Details option under the Text services and input languages tab.



Click Add under Installed services. This will open the list of Input Languages.

Select the language you want to add handwriting recognition for.

Tick the Handwriting Recognition check box.



The handwriting recognition for your selected language will then be activated and you
can now enjoy scribbling on your tablet PC.




Games
Tic Tac Toe on a tablet

Remember that old game tic tac toe, otherwise known as noughts and crosses?

A bit of chalk and a sidewalk was all you needed as a kid. Microsoft provides a free
version of the game for tablets in their Microsoft PowerToys collection. You get to fill in
your zeros and crosses with a tablet pen as you play against the computer. Get your
copy from here.

[Image Source]



What does your writing say about you?

Some of Microsoft‘s PowerToys for tablets are productive and others are just a bit of
fun—like the Handwriting Analysis tool that tells you a bit about your personality traits by
examining the characteristics of your handwriting.

After you have scribbled in your script it tells you about your attitude, metal ability
(ouch!), communication, goals, self image, emotional and social skills. Sounds like a
horoscope read out … a great free little time waster. You can grab a free copy here.

[Image Source]



Random Tips
 Using a pen for emails with Outlook 2007 is easy. Open the program and click on
New to start writing a new message. Press the Start Inking button, choose your
pen type and start writing!

 In Windows XP Tablet PC Edition you can change a setting so that you can write
anywhere on your tablet. Go to Tools in the Input panel > Options and select
the ‗Write Anywhere’ tab and check ‗Show the Turn on Write Anywhere’
button.

 Sticky Notes, which are a handy way to give yourself little reminders, can be
color coded. In Windows PC Tablet Edition, right click on a Note and select the
color option.

 You can resize the note by dragging it by its edges or corners. Voice Notes can
be recorded by using the red record button at the bottom of the Sticky Note.



 You can create a new Sticky Note in Windows tablet PC Edition, by using the
Ctrl+N shortcut.

 Hold a tablet pen in the same way as you use a regular pen and write with your
natural speed. You can rest your wrist on the screen while writing.

 If you use Microsoft Office on your tablet and you use a pen, don‘t forget to
download and install the MS Office XP Pack for Tablet PCs so that you get full
and proper support.



References

Microsoft PowerToys:
Microsoft PowerToys are add-on programs that add extra fun and functions to tablets
with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

Microsoft Experience Pack for tablet PCs:
Fun and useful programs to increase the productivity and creative use of your tablet PC.

MS Office XP Pack for tablet PC:
This enables writing directly in MS Office documents with a tablet pen.

PhatWare PhatPad:
An advanced software program for organizing notes on any Microsoft Windows
powered tablet.


Live & learn windows tablets, ed 1

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