Registered: Nov 1999
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 195

There was a discussion about TapPad a while ago. It didn't generate much discussion, but I see that there's an updated version of the software available, so it has sparked my curiosity again.

Has anyone used this thing? It looks great, but is it really all that useful, or is it just a gadget? If you use it, is it worth the $20 they charge?

The reviews on PalmGear are quite glowing, but the expertise and insight of my VisorCentral comrades is much more valuable!

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

can you post a link to a place with more info??
T.i.a.

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal
Posts: 115

I've been using TapPad http://www.tappad.com for about 4 months now. I tend to think twice about spending $20 especially for a hack. I received an ad from one of the on-line palmOS sites with a limited time offer for $15, that was enough for me to take the plunge. If I had known what a great little hack this was I wouldn't have thought twice about spending the $20. I've recommended it to several other folks and all are satisfied users as well.

What do I like about it?

It greatly enhances the efficiency of input. The texture of the pad is the best I've found and I've tried almost every screen protection item available - commercial and homemade. I liked WR but I like the feel of TapPad even better. (I continue to use a trimmed down WR on the screen area above the graffiti)

Number input is incredibly fast - a tap is so much quicker than a stroke even when you are accurate with strokes. (One note here if you use numbers in any shortcuts those still need to be entered with graffiti strokes.)

Quick pupup access to common punctuation/symbols is a real plus.

Backspace and forward delete is a real plus as well as clipboard history and text clippings for frequently used items.

I could go on but I think you get the picture I wouldn't be without this hack.

[Edited by xstitcher on 09-01-2000 at 02:06 AM]

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

Is tap pad like the Fitaly keyboard?

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Registered: Nov 1999
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 195

TapPad says it is a "Graffiti enhancement." The idea seems like it would be great, but I'm surprised that there isn't more discussion of it. Here's the features list and overlay image from their webpage: TapPad




The overlay covers the graffiti area and provides direct access to the various features that the software enables.:



[Edited by VoxDei on 09-01-2000 at 10:34 AM]

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

That's a nice product, though I would argue that the Fitaly Stamp accomplishes the same thing, and more:

http://www.fitaly.com/fitalystamp/fitalystampdesign.htm

The ONE drawback to the Fitaly Stamp is that they use a non-standard keyboard layout for the numbers. However, the fitaly keyboard layout is a great idea.

...speaking of which, can anyone tell me why the numbers on my keyboard on the total reverse of the ones on my phone? That's always bugged me...

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Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 264

Couple of thoughts...

1) I downloaded TapPad last night and have been playing with it. It is great. It might be worth it just to have a single tap for the backspace, not to mention cut and paste.

2) Homer, the numbers on a keyboard and on TapPad are arranged like a 10-key calculator which accountants would use. I used to be a bank teller, and having the keys with 7-8-9 at the top is the only way to go!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal
Posts: 115

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quote:

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Originally posted by homer

[...speaking of which, can anyone tell me why the numbers on my keyboard on the total reverse of the ones on my phone? That's always bugged me... [/B]

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Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

I have to say that the design of the numbers on Fitality (sp?) would drive me insane. Now that I think about it, don't you find yourself hitting the wrong buttons slot? I think that if I was trying to type really fast then I eould keep on hitting the wrong keys.
BEN

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, Wa, USA
Posts: 66

How compatible is Tappad with the Gotype and Stowaway software? I know that there's already conflicts between them and the popular "keyboard" Hack...

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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

I was really excited about TapPad when I first got it, but eventually I stopped using it. The overlays kept peeling off from the corner, no matter how hard I tried to press them back into place. I went through two overlays in a month, which wasn't a good sign considering that you're given five.

Another thing I didn't like about the overlays was the thickness. I used to use them on top of WriteRights, but it required too much pressure to write effectively on the silkscreen. So I removed the extra screen protector. Although writing required less pressure, one day I took off the TapPad overlay as well and remembered just how comfortable it was to write directly onto the silkscreen (I no longer use WRs either). Personally, I wasn't crazy about the texture or the thickness of the overlay, although the layout itself is extremely well designed.

I didn't have any problems with the driver hack in conjuction with the Stowaway or MiddleCaps Hack (TapPad is incomplete, IMO, without MiddleCaps Hack). I don't consider TapPad comparable with FitalyStamp. TapPad is a Graffiti enhancement, where FitalyStamp is a Graffiti replacement. TapPad is designed for editing text, while FitalyStamp is for entering text. The only speed advantage that TapPad has over Fitaly is the numeric keypad. If you like Graffiti, use TapPad. If you'd rather key in text, use FitalyStamp or Silkyboard.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal
Posts: 115

I use both the GoType and Stowaway and have had no conflicts with TapPad - all works fine.

Gameboy - just curious - did you try TapPad early on - I did hear that there were problems with the adhesive in early versions but I think the developer changed that in later versions. I've had my current one on for over 2 months - no problems with it pulling away. I'm a pretty heavy user I put a lot of wear and tear on my WR's and other screen protectors.

I think the texture of the writing surface is probably as much personal preference as is stylus types.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 264

I'm using the overlay that came with the demo which I printed on paper on my inkjet printer. I peeled back my WR and put it underneath and it is working great.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

quote:

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Originally posted by xstitcher I use both the GoType and Stowaway and have had no conflicts with TapPad - all works fine.

Gameboy - just curious - did you try TapPad early on - I did hear that there were problems with the adhesive in early versions but I think the developer changed that in later versions. I've had my current one on for over 2 months - no problems with it pulling away. I'm a pretty heavy user I put a lot of wear and tear on my WR's and other screen protectors.

I think the texture of the writing surface is probably as much personal preference as is stylus types.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Chicago,Illinois,USA
Posts: 6

Well, here's more positive input on TapPad. I've been using it for over 5 months and consider it well worth the cost. I find all the features useful, but the ones I use most are the numeric keypad, the movement "keys", and the forward & backward deletes. I use TapPad in conjuction with MiddleCapsHack and CharHack. The only conflict that I've encountered is that many of the features do not work with Frotz, which is not too much of a hardship!

I've not had any problems with the adhesive of the overlay, and I've been using the same overlay since they arrived (at least 5 months).