lefei
23rd March 2004, 03:11 PM
<TABLE width="75%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR borderColor=#ffffff bgColor=#ffffff><TD>The GoType Pro is a keyboard for the Palm V (the GoType (http://www.spug.net/reviews/rgotype.htm) is for Palm IIIs), and it's a wonderful piece of equipment. Albeit that statement, I have to admit that there are some flaws. Please note this is a totally personal review and as always, Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV). Do utilize the neat response functionality to add your comments and viewpoints. This review can be made much better with more input! Let's get physical.
Looks
The keyboard is made in China. I wonder why it isn't cheaper in our region, since this is so. Or is it packed in USA? No way to tell. Some people have told me that it "looks cheap" or "feels cheap". I disagree. Decide for yourself. The keyboard cover is a nice translucent purple. The brand 'LandWare' is embossed so lightly on the cover that you have to look at it at an angle to see it. You can see the slight outline of the keys it covers and protects when it is not in use. The cover also serves to protect the back of your Palm when it is docked.
The keyboard is angled - it does not lie flat like a laptop keyboard. In this way, it emulates a standard keyboard. There is an extension at the back to stabilise keyboard. "A special foot at the rear of the keyboard can be extracted to provide maximum stability when typing. It is recommended that you extract this foot prior to using your keyboard." - extract from the LWGTP User Guide. Frankly, though, if someone were to push the cover from the front when the keyboard and Palm are set up, it might fall over. Though that would not be a real problem if the LWGTP was used on a table or similar, it will be a different story if it were on your lap since the only place it can drop will be on the hard floor. Of course, if you were typing, a dexterous grab would save both board and Palm, but I doubt you would want to put approximately SGD700 worth of equipment to such a test. Four rubber pads on the bottom of the LWGTP hold it in place during typing but does nothing if it was on your lap.
Docking
The Palm sits nicely in the cradle, much like on its original HotSync/Charging cradle. I think the angle is even the same. There is a small switch below the cradle area to switch between hot syncing and typing - the serial port can only do one task at once (if you are syncing, you can't type). The palm can't support such an operation anyway.
One drawback of this, however, is that there is no way to type my mail when I am online. I am using the IR port to connect to the Internet. So since I can only use one port (either IR or serial) at one time, I can't use the LWGTP to type my mails while I am online. In the FAQ list for the LWGTP, FAQ 9 says "Can I HotSync or use a modem while my PalmPilot is in the LWGTP keyboard? " The answer goes, "Not right now. Stay tuned to our web site for further details." What a bummer. Oh well, guess I have to graffiti all my ICQ notes, although since my mails are mostly written off-line, this isn't much of a problem for me.
One point I would like to make here is how the whole getup works. With your PV off, make sure the keyboard is switched to the keyboard mode ("abc"). Dock the cradle on the LWGTP FIRST and THEN switch the PV on. If you want to switch from hot syncing to typing or vice versa with the LWGTP, you have to remove the PV from the cradle, switch it off, put it back in and (finally) switch the PV on again.
Keyboard size
I must say that the standard full-sized keyboard feels awfully large after using the LWGTP. Men might not like the size of the LWGTP though, since their hands are generally larger than women's. I suggest trying it out yourself at the store or borrowing a friend's. I do know some who have adapted well whilst others have given up.
Keyboard layout
There are three oval green buttons on each side of the docking area, along the top of the keyboard. They are functions keys and prove to be plenty of help. They are labeled F1 - F6, with corresponding icons representing the defaulted use for each. Like the 4 buttons on your Palm V. It is going to be pretty silly to set the default application to be something other than that which it was intended for though, since using these with a combination of the ALT and SHIFT keys enable quick access to 12 more applications - and that's a LOT of remembering to do. I think I will have to do some labeling of my own until I can remember all these keystrokes! There are two stylus holders located on far corners of the LWGTP, presumably for both the lefties and righties.
The depth of key-depress is acceptable, though I think they are a little hard to press. I appreciate 'soft' keyboards personally, especially that found in laptops except that those are shallow in depth of key-depress. This keyboard probably needs some more time for breaking-in.
The key positioning takes some getting used to, since some keys are not in their usual keyboard location. Somehow, the arrow keys are placed consecutively left, right, up and then down. Not very good for touch typists I guess, which I'm not. Though I dare say I am familiar with the keyboard layout, I'm more of a peek-and-peck typist. My hands find themselves contorting over the keyboard instead of staying put in one position. Delete? Backspace? There is a key labeled as 'Del' though it functions like a backspace key and its location is where the backspace key would be - in the top right hand corner of the main mass of keys.
The following characters
<TABLE width="48%" border=1><TBODY><TR align=middle><TD>7</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD>u</TD><TD>i</TD><TD>o</TD><TD>p</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD>j</TD><TD>k</TD><TD>l</TD><TD>;</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD>m</TD><TD>,</TD><TD>.</TD><TD>/</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>become
<TABLE width="50%" border=1><TBODY><TR align=middle><TD>7</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>*</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD>4</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD>j</TD><TD>k</TD><TD>l</TD><TD>+</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD>0</TD><TD>,</TD><TD>.</TD><TD>/</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>when you press the 'num lock' key.
There is no light for the status of the Num Lock key like on standard keyboards. The only way to check would be to type a character to test. The same applies for the Caps Lock.
I cannot input the Euro symbol. I can key in the pound key, £, but not the Euro. Let me explain. The pound key and Euro symbol share the number 3 and 4 keys respectively. You key them in by holding down the Alt key and pressing either the 3 or 4 key (whichever you need). In Memo Pad and other applications, I can get the pound sign to appear, but when I try the same to get the Euro, a space appears instead. This does not bother me since I do not use the Euro symbol. Not yet, anyway. Interestingly, when I convert my Palm doc to a Word doc, the Euro sign appears.
I discovered that by holding down the Alt key, I could also input some special characters easily. These are not labeled on the keyboard, but discovered through experimentation. I expect that they are documented somewhere though. Not all keys have an alternate display. All the symbols you get are: `¡(tm)£€‰¢oªº-‡-æ,(r)þ¥ô''¦åßðƒ(c)¤§...‚×ç†~µ‹›¿. The keying in of international characters is pretty straightforward. I don't usually use them so I cannot really comment on this. The Users' Guide gives very clear instructions on how to insert accents.
Software
The given diskette contains the program file to install. Load it in via the usual Install application on your desktop and you are ready to go. If you use HackMaster or similar, there is a HackMaster version you can download from LandWare. (Hmm, they seem to have removed it from their pages… if any one needs a copy, let me know.) The advantage of the HackMaster software is that it does not have to be manually activated or deactivated. To quote, "It detects the presence of the keyboard at power-on, so to use all you need to do is place it in the keyboard cradle and turn it on. The driver remains active until the Pilot is powered down."
Both versions have the same functionality. You can set the Delay until repeat rate, the Key repeat rate, set whether the Tab key moves to the next field or enters Tab character, and of course there is a test space. Here, you also define which applications are called by the function keys and their modifiers. You can set ANY application in your organizer and also for stuff like "Details" (Like in DateBook), "Done / Okay" and "Cancel" which appears in most applications, and "Initiate HotSync", "Find"... Nifty, eh?
Of course, remember that the Palm was designed as a stylus based device. LandWare makes the following statement in the Users Guide: "Functional limitations Considerable effort has been made to ensure the GoType keyboard works seamlessly with all PalmOS applications. The GoType software also provides several features that facilitate the keyboard operation of a number of PalmOS functions. However because some of the built-in applications such as the address book, calendar, etc. were designed without a keyboard in mind there are still instances where the stylus is still required. A good example of this is the built-in memo list. There is no way to individually highlight a memo from the list overview using anything but a stylus. Once the memo is open for editing then you can use the keyboard extensively to edit the memo."
As it goes on to say, onscreen buttons can be activated via the keyboard by holding down the Alt and Command keys together with the letter that corresponds to the first letter of the button's label. For example, holding down Alt, Command and N with activate an onscreen Notes button. CIC's WordComplete is another application that needs the stylus to work properly. Hmm, it would be neat if we had it though, it would make us speed typists.
One negative aspect in my opinion - the LWGTP does not work with ThoughtMill. Maybe that's because it is a trial version, but it is time to try out Aportis' BrainForest.
An adapter similar to that used for the PV cradle can be used with the LWGTP for charging the PV. Now, if I can find a suitable adapter, I'll be able to charge my PV8 in the office as well... However, I understand that the PV adapter is not for sale on its own - only with a unit or a travel kit. And that version attaches to the unit directly onto the serial port, as far as I know. Hmm, anyone been hardware shopping lately?
Conclusion
I am aware that there is a new Stowaway keyboard to be released early next year. I have not even seen one up close so I cannot comment on it. It is plenty smaller but the LWGTP fits in my carryall, which is a Picard document bag measuring 34Length 26Depth 8Width. It also functions as a cradle (cable is included) for my use in the office. This saves me from shelling out SGD69 for another 3Com cradle as well as permanent desktop space. All in all, I like my GoType! Pro. If you do a lot of data entry on the go, why not give it a try? It's much like a laptop, only you get more envious stares. The sheer portability of this set up rates it much better than a laptop for me. Well, you don't get colour, but you can pretty much do anything a laptop can.
Rating :
Review by Ai Li (http://www.spug.net/reviews/aili@cyberway.com.sg)
5 Feb, 1999
This product has been provided for review by
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Looks
The keyboard is made in China. I wonder why it isn't cheaper in our region, since this is so. Or is it packed in USA? No way to tell. Some people have told me that it "looks cheap" or "feels cheap". I disagree. Decide for yourself. The keyboard cover is a nice translucent purple. The brand 'LandWare' is embossed so lightly on the cover that you have to look at it at an angle to see it. You can see the slight outline of the keys it covers and protects when it is not in use. The cover also serves to protect the back of your Palm when it is docked.
The keyboard is angled - it does not lie flat like a laptop keyboard. In this way, it emulates a standard keyboard. There is an extension at the back to stabilise keyboard. "A special foot at the rear of the keyboard can be extracted to provide maximum stability when typing. It is recommended that you extract this foot prior to using your keyboard." - extract from the LWGTP User Guide. Frankly, though, if someone were to push the cover from the front when the keyboard and Palm are set up, it might fall over. Though that would not be a real problem if the LWGTP was used on a table or similar, it will be a different story if it were on your lap since the only place it can drop will be on the hard floor. Of course, if you were typing, a dexterous grab would save both board and Palm, but I doubt you would want to put approximately SGD700 worth of equipment to such a test. Four rubber pads on the bottom of the LWGTP hold it in place during typing but does nothing if it was on your lap.
Docking
The Palm sits nicely in the cradle, much like on its original HotSync/Charging cradle. I think the angle is even the same. There is a small switch below the cradle area to switch between hot syncing and typing - the serial port can only do one task at once (if you are syncing, you can't type). The palm can't support such an operation anyway.
One drawback of this, however, is that there is no way to type my mail when I am online. I am using the IR port to connect to the Internet. So since I can only use one port (either IR or serial) at one time, I can't use the LWGTP to type my mails while I am online. In the FAQ list for the LWGTP, FAQ 9 says "Can I HotSync or use a modem while my PalmPilot is in the LWGTP keyboard? " The answer goes, "Not right now. Stay tuned to our web site for further details." What a bummer. Oh well, guess I have to graffiti all my ICQ notes, although since my mails are mostly written off-line, this isn't much of a problem for me.
One point I would like to make here is how the whole getup works. With your PV off, make sure the keyboard is switched to the keyboard mode ("abc"). Dock the cradle on the LWGTP FIRST and THEN switch the PV on. If you want to switch from hot syncing to typing or vice versa with the LWGTP, you have to remove the PV from the cradle, switch it off, put it back in and (finally) switch the PV on again.
Keyboard size
I must say that the standard full-sized keyboard feels awfully large after using the LWGTP. Men might not like the size of the LWGTP though, since their hands are generally larger than women's. I suggest trying it out yourself at the store or borrowing a friend's. I do know some who have adapted well whilst others have given up.
Keyboard layout
There are three oval green buttons on each side of the docking area, along the top of the keyboard. They are functions keys and prove to be plenty of help. They are labeled F1 - F6, with corresponding icons representing the defaulted use for each. Like the 4 buttons on your Palm V. It is going to be pretty silly to set the default application to be something other than that which it was intended for though, since using these with a combination of the ALT and SHIFT keys enable quick access to 12 more applications - and that's a LOT of remembering to do. I think I will have to do some labeling of my own until I can remember all these keystrokes! There are two stylus holders located on far corners of the LWGTP, presumably for both the lefties and righties.
The depth of key-depress is acceptable, though I think they are a little hard to press. I appreciate 'soft' keyboards personally, especially that found in laptops except that those are shallow in depth of key-depress. This keyboard probably needs some more time for breaking-in.
The key positioning takes some getting used to, since some keys are not in their usual keyboard location. Somehow, the arrow keys are placed consecutively left, right, up and then down. Not very good for touch typists I guess, which I'm not. Though I dare say I am familiar with the keyboard layout, I'm more of a peek-and-peck typist. My hands find themselves contorting over the keyboard instead of staying put in one position. Delete? Backspace? There is a key labeled as 'Del' though it functions like a backspace key and its location is where the backspace key would be - in the top right hand corner of the main mass of keys.
The following characters
<TABLE width="48%" border=1><TBODY><TR align=middle><TD>7</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD>u</TD><TD>i</TD><TD>o</TD><TD>p</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD>j</TD><TD>k</TD><TD>l</TD><TD>;</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD>m</TD><TD>,</TD><TD>.</TD><TD>/</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>become
<TABLE width="50%" border=1><TBODY><TR align=middle><TD>7</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>*</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD>4</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>-</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD>j</TD><TD>k</TD><TD>l</TD><TD>+</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD>0</TD><TD>,</TD><TD>.</TD><TD>/</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>when you press the 'num lock' key.
There is no light for the status of the Num Lock key like on standard keyboards. The only way to check would be to type a character to test. The same applies for the Caps Lock.
I cannot input the Euro symbol. I can key in the pound key, £, but not the Euro. Let me explain. The pound key and Euro symbol share the number 3 and 4 keys respectively. You key them in by holding down the Alt key and pressing either the 3 or 4 key (whichever you need). In Memo Pad and other applications, I can get the pound sign to appear, but when I try the same to get the Euro, a space appears instead. This does not bother me since I do not use the Euro symbol. Not yet, anyway. Interestingly, when I convert my Palm doc to a Word doc, the Euro sign appears.
I discovered that by holding down the Alt key, I could also input some special characters easily. These are not labeled on the keyboard, but discovered through experimentation. I expect that they are documented somewhere though. Not all keys have an alternate display. All the symbols you get are: `¡(tm)£€‰¢oªº-‡-æ,(r)þ¥ô''¦åßðƒ(c)¤§...‚×ç†~µ‹›¿. The keying in of international characters is pretty straightforward. I don't usually use them so I cannot really comment on this. The Users' Guide gives very clear instructions on how to insert accents.
Software
The given diskette contains the program file to install. Load it in via the usual Install application on your desktop and you are ready to go. If you use HackMaster or similar, there is a HackMaster version you can download from LandWare. (Hmm, they seem to have removed it from their pages… if any one needs a copy, let me know.) The advantage of the HackMaster software is that it does not have to be manually activated or deactivated. To quote, "It detects the presence of the keyboard at power-on, so to use all you need to do is place it in the keyboard cradle and turn it on. The driver remains active until the Pilot is powered down."
Both versions have the same functionality. You can set the Delay until repeat rate, the Key repeat rate, set whether the Tab key moves to the next field or enters Tab character, and of course there is a test space. Here, you also define which applications are called by the function keys and their modifiers. You can set ANY application in your organizer and also for stuff like "Details" (Like in DateBook), "Done / Okay" and "Cancel" which appears in most applications, and "Initiate HotSync", "Find"... Nifty, eh?
Of course, remember that the Palm was designed as a stylus based device. LandWare makes the following statement in the Users Guide: "Functional limitations Considerable effort has been made to ensure the GoType keyboard works seamlessly with all PalmOS applications. The GoType software also provides several features that facilitate the keyboard operation of a number of PalmOS functions. However because some of the built-in applications such as the address book, calendar, etc. were designed without a keyboard in mind there are still instances where the stylus is still required. A good example of this is the built-in memo list. There is no way to individually highlight a memo from the list overview using anything but a stylus. Once the memo is open for editing then you can use the keyboard extensively to edit the memo."
As it goes on to say, onscreen buttons can be activated via the keyboard by holding down the Alt and Command keys together with the letter that corresponds to the first letter of the button's label. For example, holding down Alt, Command and N with activate an onscreen Notes button. CIC's WordComplete is another application that needs the stylus to work properly. Hmm, it would be neat if we had it though, it would make us speed typists.
One negative aspect in my opinion - the LWGTP does not work with ThoughtMill. Maybe that's because it is a trial version, but it is time to try out Aportis' BrainForest.
An adapter similar to that used for the PV cradle can be used with the LWGTP for charging the PV. Now, if I can find a suitable adapter, I'll be able to charge my PV8 in the office as well... However, I understand that the PV adapter is not for sale on its own - only with a unit or a travel kit. And that version attaches to the unit directly onto the serial port, as far as I know. Hmm, anyone been hardware shopping lately?
Conclusion
I am aware that there is a new Stowaway keyboard to be released early next year. I have not even seen one up close so I cannot comment on it. It is plenty smaller but the LWGTP fits in my carryall, which is a Picard document bag measuring 34Length 26Depth 8Width. It also functions as a cradle (cable is included) for my use in the office. This saves me from shelling out SGD69 for another 3Com cradle as well as permanent desktop space. All in all, I like my GoType! Pro. If you do a lot of data entry on the go, why not give it a try? It's much like a laptop, only you get more envious stares. The sheer portability of this set up rates it much better than a laptop for me. Well, you don't get colour, but you can pretty much do anything a laptop can.
Rating :
Review by Ai Li (http://www.spug.net/reviews/aili@cyberway.com.sg)
5 Feb, 1999
This product has been provided for review by
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>