Windows for Pen Computing
Encyclopedia
Windows for Pen Computing was a software suite
for Windows 3.1x
, that Microsoft
designed to incorporate pen computing
capabilities into the Windows operating environment. Windows for Pen Computing was the second major pen computing platform for x86 tablet PC
s; GO Corporation released their operating system
, PenPoint OS
, shortly before Microsoft published Windows for Pen Computing 1.0 in 1991.
The software features of Windows for Pen Computing 1.0 included an on-screen keyboard, a notepad program for writing with the stylus
, and a program for training the system to respond accurately to the user's handwriting
. Microsoft included Windows for Pen Computing 1.0 in the Windows SDK, and the operating environment was also bundled with compatible devices.
Microsoft published Windows 95
in 1995, and later released Windows for Pen Computing 2.0 for this new operating system
. Windows XP Tablet PC Edition superseded Windows for Pen Computing in 2002. Subsequent Windows versions, such as Windows Vista
and Windows 7, supported pen computing intrinsically.
Software suite
A software suite or application suite is a collection of computer programs, usually application software and programming software of related functionality, often sharing a more-or-less common user interface and some ability to smoothly exchange data with each other.Sometimes software makers...
for Windows 3.1x
Windows 3.1x
Windows 3.1x is a series of 16-bit operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers. The series began with Windows 3.1, which was first sold during March 1992 as a successor to Windows 3.0...
, that Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
designed to incorporate pen computing
Pen computing
Pen computing refers to a computer user-interface using a pen and tablet, rather than devices such as a keyboard, joysticks or a mouse....
capabilities into the Windows operating environment. Windows for Pen Computing was the second major pen computing platform for x86 tablet PC
Tablet computer
A tablet computer, or simply tablet, is a complete mobile computer, larger than a mobile phone or personal digital assistant, integrated into a flat touch screen and primarily operated by touching the screen...
s; GO Corporation released their operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
, PenPoint OS
PenPoint OS
The PenPoint OS was a product of GO Corporation and was one of the earliest operating systems written specifically for graphical tablets and personal digital assistants...
, shortly before Microsoft published Windows for Pen Computing 1.0 in 1991.
The software features of Windows for Pen Computing 1.0 included an on-screen keyboard, a notepad program for writing with the stylus
Stylus (computing)
In computing, a stylus is a small pen-shaped instrument that is used to input commands to a computer screen, mobile device or graphics tablet...
, and a program for training the system to respond accurately to the user's handwriting
Handwriting
Handwriting is a person's particular & individual style of writing with pen or pencil, which contrasts with "Hand" which is an impersonal and formalised writing style in several historical varieties...
. Microsoft included Windows for Pen Computing 1.0 in the Windows SDK, and the operating environment was also bundled with compatible devices.
Microsoft published Windows 95
Windows 95
Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
in 1995, and later released Windows for Pen Computing 2.0 for this new operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
. Windows XP Tablet PC Edition superseded Windows for Pen Computing in 2002. Subsequent Windows versions, such as Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
and Windows 7, supported pen computing intrinsically.
External links
- The Unknown History of Pen Computing contains a history of pen computing, including touch and gesture technology, from approximately 1917 to 1992.
- About Tablet Computing Old and New - an article that mentions Windows Pen in passing
- Annotated bibliography of references to handwriting recognition and pen computing
- Windows für Pen Computer
- Windows for Pen Computer (German link above translated by Google)