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When designing data capture applications
for the Pocket PC the user interface can make or break a
project. Unfortunately for eVB programmers the primary means
of getting data into their software is via the built-in
Soft Input Panel, or SIP. Whilst this offers a couple of
well-designed generic keyboards, the SIP certainly isn't
suitable for every occasion.
Ever tried entering someone's contact
details whilst being jostled around in a busy conference?
Out in the real world, where you really want the technology
to make life simpler, sadly using the SIP can be close to
comical. You simply can't hit the tiny keys accurately enough
with the stylus.
Although there are various third-party
controls available that extend the SIP functionality with
alternative keyboards and even handwriting recognition,
none of them appealed to me. I really wanted something that
I could tailor to each of my individual applications, something
written in eVB.
Some time later...
Here are the results, a skinnable keyboard
that can be customized and easily inserting into any existing
eVB application. With no additional components required!
Original SIP Keyboard
Key area = 17x15 = 255 Pixels
Replacement Keyboard
Key area = 24x24 = 576 Pixels
In this example I have increased the
overall height of the input panel by 16 pixels and ruthlessly
eliminated all but the most essential keys required by my
application. The resulting keyboard offers more than double
the key area, reducing the chances of hitting the wrong
key and thus improving the quality of data.
Let's see how it's done...
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