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NanoPad for the Pocket PC

Although NanoPad does not require the use of a digitizing screen to be implemented, the Pocket PC is an ideal candidate for NanoPad technology.

Based on the idea that simpler is better, NanoPad for the Pocket PC is a "Simply Better" input method.

Since Nanopad is based on a unique method of text entry it is STRONGLY recommended that you read the general NanoPad information. Knowing the few simple rules that NanoPad uses (listed with the images) will make learning to use NanoPad a very quick and painless process.

General NanoPad Information and Images

Nanopad advantages:

• NanoPad uses a user resizable 3x3 rectangular grid for user input. Change the size to what is comfortable for you allowing easy and accurate input in a variety of situations.
• The NanoPad grid can be "undocked" and moved about the screen. This minimizes the space taken up by the input method and does not reduce the screen space available to the running application
• NanoPad itself is very small. The only file required, NanoPad.dll, is less than 22Kbytes in size.
• NanoPad is very fast, using unique and innovative algorithms for fast and accurate character recognition.
• NanoPad is capable of generating the entire character set found on a normal computer keyboard without switching to a keyboard type layout for special characters.
• NanoPad is very easy to learn, it is based on the lower case alphabet as most people are used to drawing it.

Screen Shots

Features unique to the Pocket PC version of NanoPad

In addition to the normal 3x3 grid, a status strip is included on the left hand side. This status strip displays information on shift key status for Shift, Control, Alt and Function keys. Drag the status strip to "undock" NanoPad or to move it to a new location. Double tap the status strip to return NanoPad to the "docked" state. In the docked state you can adjust the size of the NanoPad grid to what you are comfortable with in your present situation. For example, you may want to use a larger grid when working in a moving vehicle.

Updates and Download NanoPad for the Pocket PC here

The Beta Version- the latest version is 0.1e - IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

The Beta Version is a fully functioning version of NanoPad with the exception that it displays a once daily nag screen to let you know you are using the beta version and does not support Alt or Function keys.
Additions and improvements:

• fixed problem where NanoPad would not install to some platforms
• fixed problem where NanoPad would sometimes hang - requiring soft reset
• added support for accented (spanish) characters and the euro
• added an alternate drawing for the letter t - similar to number 7 but drawn on the left side of the grid
• added acute accent mark
• fixed minor problems with the floating rectange shown when dragging NanoPad to a new location
• fixed problem where the Euro was being confused with the Dollar sign

The Shareware version 1.0a - is no longer available
The shareware version is now available. It displays a once daily reminder to register NanoPad and will expire after 1500 characters are entered.
Additions and Improvements:

• added support for alt keys for entering unicode characters and virtual keys
• added support for function key macros for entering predefined character strings
• from docked position added a button to view built in help file - this requires Pocket Internet Explorer to be installed
• from docked position added a button to view and edit the function macro file - this uses Pocket Word
• from docked position added a button to view the Install Code and to Enter the Unlock Code
• added support for viewing built in help file by entering "help" character - a vertical line from lower right corner to top right corner

Download The Shareware version 1.1a
The shareware version 1.1a is now available. It displays a once daily reminder to register NanoPad but will not expire, continue to use the full featured NanoPad indefinitely for free.
Version 1.1a fixes a small problem with function macros where using alt characters did not show the rest of the line.
Additions and Improvements:

• no longer stops working after 1500 characters
• added Auto Repeat function, simply draw the character and hold the pen down in the last region for about 1/2 second.
• added support for NanoPad to allow control by other applications including reposition, resize, and modifying NanoPad functionality such as removing the status strip, disabling drag etc. (Developers, contact OutOfNoware for more information).
• new registration method - doing a hard reset no longer requires obtaining a new Unlock Code. Also allows you to move NanoPad to a new machine without a new Unlock Code as long as the user name is the same.
• the Install Code is now a 6 digit number.

Download The Full Version
The full version IS the shareware version after entering the Unlock Code obtained by registering NanoPad.

Registering NanoPad
Registering NanoPad will make all the nag screens disappear.
Volume discounts are available when purchasing 10 or more copies at a time.
To register NanoPad

1. you will need to obtain your Install Code
   - install NanoPad and verify that it is working properly
   - with NanoPad in the docked position tap the Register NanoPad button
   - a 6 digit Install Code will be listed there
   - write down your Install Code
   - tap "Cancel" and continue using NanoPad normally.
   
2. Send the Install Code along with payment of $13.95 to:
   Lynn Schauer
   76 McDougal Dr
   Lincoln, ND 58495
   I accept cash, good personal checks or money orders drawn on US funds, but can not be responsible for cash lost in the mail.
   You can also purchase NanoPad at www.PocketGear.com
   or by using PayPal

   or email to
   lynnschauer@bis.midco.net
   

3. You will be sent a 5 digit Unlock Code by return mail or email once payment has been received or the order confirmed
   
4. Enter the Unlock Code
   - with NanoPad docked, tap the Register NanoPad button
   - enter the 5 digit Unlock Code using the NanoPad grid
   - tap "OK"
   - you will see the message "NanoPad is unlocked"
   
5. Enjoy using NanoPad without any nag screens.

Alt keys
While NanoPad allows you to enter all of the ascii characters with values from 32 to 127 and quite a few others with single strokes, Alt Keys allow you to enter any unicode characters you may need as well. Unicode characters can be used for entering special symbols or foreign language characters such as Greek or Cyrillic. Unicode characters are in the range 1-65535, but not all numbers in that range are valid unicode characters, and not all unicode characters are supported by all fonts. Use the Character Map utility on your desktop pc to see what characters might be available.

You can also use Alt keys to enter virtual key codes. Virtual key codes can be used for entering special windows characters and key combinations. Virtual key codes are in the range 1-255, but not all codes in that range are valid virtual keys. See windows programming references for further information

To use an Alt Key draw the alt character, follow it by a number, then follow that by a terminating character.
- the alt character is drawn the same as the letter t, but in reverse segment order (either segment 8 to 7 to 1 or segment 8 to 2 to 1)
- the number is entered as a decimal number - one or more digits 0-9 or a hexadecimal number - the letter x followed by one or more hex digits 0-9 and a-f
- as you enter the number digits, they will appear on the NanoPad grid
- any nondigit character will be interpreted as the terminating character
- for unicode characters it is recommended you use a space, a simple tap in the center region
- for virtual keys use 'v' for key down, 'V' for key up

Examples

• Alt, 169, space - will enter the copyright symbol
• Alt, 165, space - will enter the yen symbol
• Alt, 931, space - will enter the greek capital letter sigma
• Alt, x24,'v' - will enter the virtual key code for the HOME key down, x24 is the hex number for decimal 36
• Alt, x24,'V' - will enter the virtual key code ofr the HOME key up.

Alt keys can be very useful, but may be difficult to use by themselves because you would need to remember the number and enter several characters to input a single key. That process can be simplified greatly by using Function Key macros for characters and character strings you want to use frequently.

Function key macros
Function Key macros allow the user to enter predefined characters and character strings easily. This is handy for entering commonly used phrases and to simplify the use of Alt keys.

To use a Function Key macro, draw the Function key character - the letter 'f' drawn in reverse sequence (segment 7 to 1 to 2) then follow it by any printable character. Each printable character can have a function key macro assigned to it.

Before a function key macro can be used for any particular character, a macro must be defined in the file funmacro.txt. To view and edit this file, dock NanoPad and tap the "Edit Macros" button. This will open the file in Pocket Word.

• Each line of funmacro.txt contains the definition for one macro with the first character being the letter the macro is assigned to
• You can assign separate macros to upper and lower case letters and any printing character
• The rest of the line contains characters that will be entered when you use the Function key with that first character
• Examples
  "aABCdef" defines the macro for lower case a and would enter "ABCdef" in response to Function key, 'a'
  "A12345" defines the macro for upper case a and would enter "12345" in response to Function key, 'A'
• You can also use Alt keys in function key macros by using the % sign, followed by a number, followed by a terminating character
• Use decimal numbers or hex numbers with Alt keys
• It is recommended that you use % as a terminating character for unicode characters
• Use 'v' or 'V' as a terminating character for virtual keys.
• To enter an actual % sign use %%
• Use %13% to enter a carriage return (to start a new line)
• Use %' to make the rest of the line a comment - anything after and including % apostrophe will be ignored
• Examples
  "o%93%Hello%13%Mom!%'omega" defines a function key macro for the lower case o. Function key o would enter the omega symbol followed by the word Hello on the current line, followed by the word Mom! on the next line. %'omega is a comment and would not be entered
  "L%36v%16v%35v%16V" defines a function key macro for upper case l. Using function key L would select the current line of text. %36v is the virtual key for HOME key down, %16v is the virtual key for SHIFT key down, %35v is the virtual key for END key down, %16v is the virtual key for SHIFT key up.

Function key macros can be very powerful, you could for example assign each letter of the alphabet to corresponding greek or cyrillic letters of the alphabet or assign the number 1 to enter your home phone number and 2 to enter your work phone number. Choose assignments that are easy for you to remember.

The default funmacro.txt file that comes with NanoPad has a few simple macros predefined for illustration purposes, but you can delete and modify them as desired. You can also edit this file using any text editor capable of working with unicode character text files, just be sure to save it as a unicode character text file when finished.

Thank you for your interest in NanoPad

Your comments, and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

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General NanoPad Information and Images

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