PenOffice™ for Microsoft Windows

PenOffice has been optimized for Microsoft Windows XP, Office XP and latest models of Tablet PC.

"If you have any kind of Windows-based pen computer, you need PenOffice. It's inexpensive and even if you don't use it all the time it makes no sense to have a pen-based computer system without it." Conrad H. Blickenstorfer stated in his PenOffice review published in July 2002 issue of Pen Computing magazine.

PenOffice Overview

PenOffice™ brings the power of award winning CalliGrapher® handwriting recognition technology to your Microsoft Windows Powered Tablet, Desktop or Portable PC and adds useful pen-based applications: Microsoft® Word™ 97/2000/XP document markup, on-screen drawing, ScratchPads with email support, and PenCommander.

Other new features, introduced in PenOffice 2.X

PenOffice version 2 incorporates several powerful new features that greatly expand its functionality and ease of use:

• PenCommander: This powerful new technology allows you to use your pen to call up commands that can control your computer in almost limitless ways such as editing documents, inserting often-repeated text into documents, and launching applications. Also see Visual PenCommander.
• JPEG support: PenOffice now lets you send your InkNotes and Screendraw drawings in JPEG format as well as BMP, thus allowing your work to be viewed on multiple platforms.
• ScratchPad Shape Checker: This feature automatically replaces roughly drawn geometric figures with smooth versions and works with most simple forms. 
• Inline Gestures: PenOffice allows you to embed control gestures in your writing. Simply write, inserting the gesture as you do, and keep writing. PenOffice recognizes the text and formats it based on the gesture(s) embedded within the text.
• Updated English Dictionary: PenOffice includes an updated English dictionary that contains over 100,000 words. The new dictionary improves integrated spell checking functionality and recognition accuracy.
• Windows 2000/XP support: PenOffice now fully supports Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows XP, including support for new Windows XP themes. It also supports Microsoft Windows 98, Windows ME, and Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 5 or later.
• Word 2000/XP support: PenOffice now fully supports Microsoft Word 97, Microsoft Word 2000, and Microsoft Word XP in the word markup mode.
• Multilingual Support: PenOffice Multilingual Edition supports handwriting recognition in the Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian and European), and Spanish languages (details).

Microsoft Word markup feature.

PenOffice Features

PenOffice is a combination of a powerful handwriting recognition engine and applications which allow you to extend the core PenOffice functions. This combination includes:

• Natural handwriting recognition: CalliGrapher component of PenOffice recognizes print, cursive, and mixed script as well as arbitrary symbols and control ‘gestures’.
• Immediate usability: Unlike many handwriting recognition programs, the CalliGrapher component of PenOffice is ready to run right out of the box with no training required. You can, however, customize CalliGrapher to your personal handwriting style, thereby increasing CalliGrapher’s already superb accuracy and speed.
• Built-in dictionary: The CalliGrapher component of PenOffice recognizes words from its integrated dictionaries. This includes a main dictionary containing approximately 100,000 words and a custom user dictionary. CalliGrapher also recognizes non-vocabulary words like personal names, geographical names, and arbitrary handwritten symbol strings.
• On Screen drawing: This feature allows you to use your screen as a virtual ScratchPad. You may save and e-mail drawings. You can also write while in drawing mode and have PenOffice convert your handwriting into typed text at a later time (deferred recognition).
• Microsoft Word markup: Using PenOffice, you can mark up Microsoft Word documents and forward your edits to others. PenOffice supports Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000 and Word XP.
• PenCommander: PenCommander is a new feature in PenOffice, which allows you to launch pre-recorded, user-defined commands (PenCommands). To execute a PenCommand simply write word command and draw a circle around it. PenCommander features are available only while PenOffice is in Recognition mode. PenCommander Script Reference is now available online.
• Spell checker: This feature works with practically any application for Microsoft Windows.
• ScratchPad: ScratchPad provides you with the electronic equivalent of ‘sticky notes’. 
• RiteCalc handwriting calculator: Simply write an equation, and let RiteCalc do the math.
• Extensive correction interface: By pointing out PenOffice’s mistakes, you can improve its performance.
• Expandable Architecture: Look for future applications that will take advantage of PenOffice’s powerful capabilities to further enhance your computing experience.

Multilingual Support

PenOffice Multilingual Edition supports seven languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian and European), and Spanish. During installation, a user can choose to install support for all four languages or any combination of the languages listed above. If only one language is installed, the Language gesture is disabled and the Language icon in Windows taskbar is disabled. If two languages are installed, the Language gesture or icon switches between these two languages. If three or more languages are installed, the Language gesture or icon displays a pop up menu listing all installed languages.

Each PenOffice language pack includes the following language-specific modules:

• Handwriting recognition engine
• Spell Checker with modifiable user dictionary
• On screen pop-up keyboard

Using PenOffice on Tablet PCs

PenOffice 2.5 has been optimized for better performance on Tablet PCs. Now you can use PenOffice and Microsoft handwriting recognition at the same time.
To use PenOffice and Microsoft handwriting recognition at the same time:

1. If Microsoft handwriting recognition is configured in Write Anywhere mode switch to the Input Panel mode.
2. Start PenOffice and switch into the recognition mode.

Now, if you write on the Tablet PC Input Panel, the Microsoft handwriting recognition will be used, however, when you write anywhere else on the screen PenOffice handwriting recognition will be used. In addition to handwriting recognition you also will be able to use advanced PenOffice features such as recognition gestures, PenCommander, spell checker, word document markup, correction window, and others.

System Requirements

PenOffice requires the following minimum configuration:

• Personal or Multimedia computer with Pentium Pro 200MHz processor or higher (Pentium III/350MHz or faster is recommended).
• Windows NT 4.0 Workstation or Server with Service Pack 6 or later, Windows 98 or later including Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows XP Professional and Home editions.
• 10MB of free disk space for full installation, an additional 10MB required for temporary files during installation.
• 64 MB of memory to use on Windows 98/ME.
• 128 MB of memory to use on Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP.
• VGA with 16-bit color minimum resolution.
• Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device.
• Graphics tablet system* such as WACOM Intuos™ is strongly recommended.
• CD-ROM (required to install application if purchased on CD-ROM). 
• Internet Browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later is recommended to retrieve the latest product information from PhatWare's web site.

PenOffice currently supports Wintab interface only. PenOffice 2.4 may not be compatible with all tabled devices that support other interfaces. This version of PenOffice works under PenWindows, but it is not optimized for it. It uses mouse moves rather than precise screen coordinates for the ink trajectory. Please note that the above represents minimum requirements only. PenOffice performs better on systems exceeding the listed requirements.