In July 2001, PhatWare released CalliGrapher 6.0, a product which allowed a whole new way of inputting information into Palm PC and Pocket PC devices. Over the past four years, CalliGrapher has matured into the leading input application available for Windows Mobile devices.  With its low training requirements and accuracy, CalliGrapher has rapidly placed itself head and shoulders above other applications in the field. 

With the release of version 8.0, PhatWare had once again taken a top-of-the-line product and managed to improve it.  This version of CalliGrapher is not simply a bug fix or maintenance release.  Rather, it is a reworking of the application, improving its performance and functionality while simplifying it at the same time.  It is taking the application to the next level, something hard to imagine could be done after version 7.5.  If CalliGrapher was not the must have application before, it can certainly stake such a claim with version 8.0. 

Among the new features of 8.0 are the Soft Input Panels – or SIP - Write Anywhere and Write Pad, complete compatibility with Windows Mobile 5.0, a new color ink pad for ink color in Word Pad, movable ink, the CalliGrapher Statistical Analyzer (which will be covered in detail in this review), and Write Pad Log files.  Along with these and other new features, PhatWare also improved the speed and accuracy of CalliGrapher overall. 

CalliGrapher 8.0 is installed via ActiveSync and requires approximately 3.2MB of space on the Windows Mobile device.  During the installation of CalliGrapher, users are given the option of enabling the Soft Input Panel (Figure 1).  

The application can be installed into Main Memory or can be installed onto a Storage Card.  It is recommended that it be installed in Main Memory as the application is more responsive.  Once installed and the device soft-reset, CalliGrapher becomes an input option available in the lower right-hand corner of the device.  Finally, when CalliGrapher is chosen as the input device, an introduction of the basic stylus movements is shown (Figure 2).  While this introduction screen can be disabled, it is recommended to keep this active – especially for new users to the application – for a few weeks until these basic strokes are memorized.

As the name would suggest, Write Anywhere allows for users to write the text – in print, block or cursive – anywhere on their Windows Mobile device’s screen (Figure 3) and it will be converted automatically to text in the application being used (Figure 4). Traditionally, this is the most common way that CalliGrapher is used as it provides almost “carefree” writing without having to worry about staying in a confined area.

For those who are more comfortable with Microsoft Transcriber or Palm Graffitti, the Write Pad function will quickly feel natural.  In Write Pad, users are provided pad-like section of the display to write within (Figure 5).  Once the text is written, users tap the Return icon on the Write Pad menu bar (Figure 6) to have the writing converted to text.  Word Pad also supports separate letter as well.  In this mode, users write out individual letters between small hash marks in Word Pad.  This feature allows for more accurate writing of the letters as well as the replacement of individual letters.

The accuracy of CalliGrapher 8 is nothing short of impressive.  Whether in Write Anywhere or Write Pad mode, the application has an almost uncanny ability to accurately translate the writing to text.  While it is not fool proof, it is very close to being so.  Further, it is without question above any other handwriting recognition application that has been reviewed at Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! – including previous versions of CalliGrapher.

That said, some users will have a more difficult time with CalliGrapher based on their own handwriting style and skill.  PhatWare has done an excellent job with the recognition engine in CalliGrapher, some simply “chicken scratch” too much for the application to understand.  Fortunately, like other text recognition applications, CalliGrapher includes a training tool for users.  By tapping the Letter Recognition icon, users will start the Letter Recognition tool (Figure 7).  Once in the tool, users tap the letter they want to train on the bottom list then select the way they most often write a character.  To see how a character is drawn, tap it and CalliGrapher will draw it.  If a user always writes a character as show, nothing further needs to be done.  However, if a user taps another way of drawing a character and never draw it that way, CalliGrapher needs to be told so.  To do this, tap the red X’d “A” on the toolbar. That style will be X’d out and this will effectively tell the application to ignore characters written in this style. Once users have told CalliGrapher how they draw characters, this information can be saved into a file for later use or for restoration.

During the installation of CalliGrapher 8, the over 100 page User Guide along with tutorials on Write Pad and Write Anywhere are installed.  The User Guide covers every detail of Calligrapher and is in PDF format meaning you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your PC to view it (Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free download from http://www.adobe.com (PC) and http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readerforppc.html (Pocket PC).  The Tutorials are written in CHM format, the standard Windows help file format.  It is highly recommended that CalliGrapher users - both new and existing owners - go through the tutorials provided.  They are highly detailed and informative, making CalliGrapher easier to use and less frustrating if running into difficulties with recognition.

There are times however where mistakes are made either in spelling by the user or by a poor recognition by CalliGrapher.  Thankfully there is no need to delete the word and start over.  CalliGrapher has an included Spell Checker which by tapping and holding on a word, is displayed (Figure 8).  Likewise there is included soft keyboard, which can be floated anywhere on the display, for more traditional tap-typing (Figure 9).  The soft keyboard also features an inline auto completion.

With CalliGrapher 8.0, full VGA support is available as well as full support for the upcoming Windows Mobile 5.0.  Further, landscape mode continues to be supported and the soft floating keyboard - a highly requested feature - is now available as well (Figure 10).

Figure 10:  The floating soft keyboard of CalliGrapher 8.0 on a VGA device - a popular request answered!

New in Calligrapher 8.0 is the CalliGrapher Statistical Analyzer or CSA.  Essentially the CSA learns the writing gestures of the user and, over time, learns how to better auto correct recognition errors.  So no longer is it a matter of the user learning how to best use the application.  Now CalliGrapher learns as well.  It is important to note that the CSA does take time.  For most users, two or three weeks of daily use will start building the CSA information file.  Also note that this file is based on individual users so the CSA file for one user is going to be completely different than for another.  This added logic in CalliGrapher once again sets the application apart by allowing the application to adapt to users habits rather than confining them. 

Also new in version 8.0 is the Write Pad log file.  This is an optional feature which allows for Write Pad recognition sessions to be recorded, including handwriting and typed information.  In the upcoming release of PhatPad 3.0, users will be able to view this file.  The reason for this file and for allowing users to view it is rather ingenious by PhatWare.  The log file collects handwriting samples by users and can be sent to PhatWare.  PhatWare in return uses these log files to improve the recognition engine in minor and major releases of CalliGrapher.  The benefit for the user being able to see this file is to see the original handwritten file in case a word or character is not recognized.  This allows the user to adapt to be more successful with CalliGrapher.

In addition to handwriting recognition, CalliGrapher also integrates with PhatWare’s PhatPad.  PhatPad is a note and drawing application that allows users to create handwritten notes or drawings then save them in a graphic format, thus allowing anyone to be able to read or use the file.  A full review of PhatPad 2.0 is available here on Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com at http://www.clintonfitch.com/reviews/phatware/phatpad-2-0/default.asp.  To access PhatPad from CalliGrapher, tap the PhatPad icon on the toolbar.  This will automatically start PhatPad (Figure 11).

Likewise, CalliGrapher also integrates with PhatWare’s PenCommander.  PenCommander allows users to perform many functions such as editing or inserting text, opening other applications or any custom command by writing a command then putting a circle around it. For example, if users write “www” and circle it, PenCommander will type in http://www.  Further users can write “all” and all of the text will be selected on the page.  There are many pre-written commands including during the installation of CalliGrapher with users able to create their own through the PenCommander icon (Figure 12).  Additionally, PenCommander can also run scripts or scripts created by users (Figure 13). The script editor is essentially a macro script that performs a designated function.

One of the challenges of any handwriting recognition application is that of mathematical formulas.  Often the operators such as + or - are not understood.  With CalliGrapher, RiteCalc is included which alleviates many such errors.  To use RiteCalc, simply write out a mathematical formula making sure to include an equal sign at the end and to have the formula as one sentence (Figure 14).  The equal sign indicates to RiteCalc that it is a formula and treats it as such (Figure 15).

Figure 14:  Write out a formula...	Figure 15: ... and RiteCalc will complete the formula automatically

As is customary with PhatWare’s applications, CalliGrapher is highly customizable to fit any users preferences or needs. Customizations available include the ability to change the icons that appear on the CalliGrapher toolbar (Figure 16), the thickness and color of the ink used, the dictionary used by spellchecker, recognition settings and so forth.  There is virtually no aspect of CalliGrapher that cannot be adjusted to the liking of any user.  The ability to make these types of changes truly make CalliGrapher user friendly and easier to use than it already is out-of-the-box.

CalliGrapher 8.0 is nothing short of brilliant.  It is head-and-shoulders above any similar application and this version only strengthens that position.  It is one thing to simply maintain the life of an application.  Clearly PhatWare has gone well beyond this in version 8.0 and has set the standard just that much higher for themselves and everyone else in the industry. 

As if the application itself wasn’t enough, the support provided by PhatWare is second-to-none.  Their built-in help within CalliGrapher 8.0 is well organized and comprehensive in nature (Figure 17).  If great support is needed, the technical staff at PhatWare is courteous, accurate and most of all speedy.  Rarely is a question not addressed within hours of the email being sent to support.

Finally, as with CalliGrapher 7.5, PhatWare has a wide range of language packages that can be purchased for the application.  These multi-language packages allow for recognition of text in different languages and can be alternated in use while in the application.  Currently there are 11 languages packs available including Dutch, Spanish, Swedish and Italian as well as a English Medical pack.  For more information, visit the CalliGrapher 8.0 website at http://www.phatware.com/calligrapher.  These additional languages packs range from $14.95 to $19.95 (US).

CalliGrapher 8.0 is compatible with Pocket PC 2003 and higher as well as Pocket PC 2003 Phone Edition and higher.  The application supports landscape mode and VGA as well as Windows Mobile 5.0. 

CalliGrapher 8.0 is available for new users at $39.95 while existing 7.x users can upgrade for $24.95.  Existing owners are encouraged to check out the PhatWare website for upgrade information.  If CalliGrapher 7.5 owners have purchased the application between March 21, 2005 and September 1, 2005, the upgrade is at no cost.  For new users, a 30-day demonstration version of CalliGrapher 8.0 is available on the PhatWare site as well.  That URL is http://www.phatware.com/calligrapher. 

Clinton Fitch
Senior Editor
Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! (http://www.clintonfitch.com)
HPC:Factor (http://www.hpcfactor.com)