Hate Graffiti? Well as the Duke might say, "welcome to the club, pilgrim". As we all know, the handwriting recognition stinks, you can get cramps trying to write quickly, and even the bloody keyboard is not exactly a bargain. Yes, there are some keyboard hack add-ins which improve functionality somewhat, but otherwise you're still sub-optimal. Some of the new Palm keyboards are nice, but you may not feel like paying $100 for the hardware and then schlepping it around with you, folded or not.

	ThumbType

The answer is the radical but original solution by MicroBurst, Inc. MicroBurst is the US licenser of Japan's ThumbType. ThumbType consists of a miniature keyboard overlay that fits over the Palm's Graffiti screen button area. There is an overlay for both the Palm III/VI series and one for the V. The driver can be loaded either directly onto the Palm desktop or as a Hackmaster application (heartily recommended if you use Hackmaster). Once loaded, you calibrate the keyboard with the built in calibration program and that's it. You then take the Palm in your hand and type with your thumbs on the keyboard. There are raised bubbles on each key that makes it easy to access the various keys. The spacing is just enough on the keyboard for you to maneuver around and type. It takes a little getting used to, but I guarantee that once you start using it, you may never use Graffiti again. In Japan, ThumbType is on one of every 10 Palms sold.

On the keyboard, there is a shift control for symbols and numbers as well as capitol letters. A space bar is also on the keyboard as is the ability to lock the keyboard in capitol or numeric mode. In addition, the Command prompt is also accessible and the keyboard can be disabled from a control on the keypad. But perhaps the neatest feature are the keys, that when accessed, bring up a "virtual" version of the Graffiti area complete with writing area and buttons. In addition, another key brings up similar images but with cursor navigation buttons to move up and down in a menu.

	WordPad with ThumbType

This is not to say that ThumbType is perfect. On the version I tested, initially some keys would display the wrong letter when pressed, or none at all Usually this happened with keys in proximity to another, indicating that the letter had been mapped incorrectly (or not at all). However, you can force the driver to re-learn the key position by pressing on the correct key for the incorrectly displayed letter several times and then pressing the key that was malfunctioning. In addition, there is a key-by-key calibration program that is available. However, as I have learned, some Palms come with "dead space" on their graffiti area which can prevent the driver from recognizing the pressed key. There is a Screen test program available that can determine if you have dead space. If you do, and you want to use ThumbType, you'll either have to get Palm to repair it, or pop for a new model.

In any event, this is one of the neatest little programs to come around for the Palm. A CE version is also planned in the near future. Let your thumbs do the walking, indeed.

(Editor's Note: I guess we'd have to say that Jay Gold gives this one two thumbs up. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Jeff)

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