Palm and Xerox Settle Graffiti Dispute

Then again knowing Palm probably not.

Release a $20/download updater (ROM updaters for some devices, RAM updaters for the cheap-o ones) program sold at palm.com for everything released since the T|T (include the rare 4.1.2 Zire & M515 with Graffiti 2 as well). Palm can also include support for Treos if it's technically feasible. Give users the choice of totally classic Graffiti 1/Classic and G2 (some kind of pref that can be easily toggled). Then maybe on future devices have some sort of Graffiti 3 hybrid standard with the option to pay to revert back to "classic" G1 or G2. Or just stick with G2 on the handful of non-Treo/non-keyboard devices that Palm releases in the future.

That way ALL users are happy, Palm recoups some of the licensing $ paid to Xerox, AND sets a precedent within the (modern) mobile industry by allowing the user to choose their input method of choice. WinMob/PPC users have had a choice for some time now so it's about time for POS users to have a LEGAL, bug-free alternative to Graffiti 2!

P.S. Anyone remember when Colligan hinted a year or more ago at possibly some new "improved" Graffiti experience coming out in the near future?

Pilot 1000-->Pilot 5000-->PalmPilot Pro-->IIIe-->Vx-->m505-->T|T-->T|T2-->T|C-->T|T3-->T|T5-->TX-->Treo 700P

Secondly, though... all else being equal, it IS arguably the better of the two input methods. Palm put a lot of work into the ideas behind a "unistroke" shorthand that could be written "blind". So certain characters are simplified so they don't have the added-complexity of a second stroke. Examples are A, F, K, T, and X. Each can be written in a single quick stroke without lifting the stylus up. At first it might seem that learning a new way of writing would make things HARDER by definition, but in truth it doesn't take long to learn, and once learned becomes second-nature and not something one even has to think about. Part of the reason G1 proponents want it back so-badly is because of how ingrained it is into their input habits.

So in G1, Palm designed it to benefit the user.

When the Xerox lawsuit came up, Palm had to modify Graffiti in order to differenciate it from similar concepts Xerox had come up with from their own research (and unfortunately had patented). So Palm had to "break" Graffiti and make some characters 2-stroke ones again. This got them out of legal trouble, but it's important to recognize here that the change wasn't to benefit the user, it was to end the lawsuit (unfortunately, by specifically removing things that made G1 good). Of course, Palm tries to spin G2 and market it as being "better" by nature of being closer to natural writing, but you can't so easily just whitewash over what many more years of research prior had shown: G1 is faster.

Now, if you have someone who's only ever known G2 of course they're going to like it. They've never experienced the extra efficiency of G1. If they'd rather use G2, either without trying G1 or after, I could really care less... it's personal choice (although if they haven't tried G1 I'd strongly suggest they give it some time to discover its benefits). However, for many many YEARS Palm used G1 exclusively and a huge foundation of their original fanbase were brought up on G1 for most of their Palm-using lives. At the very least, Palm should respect that and still offer G1 as an OPTION, even if they are going to stubbornly keep G2 the default in an attempt to save face.

I really get tired of people who've only ever used G2 telling us to "get over it" and just use G2. I have no problem with them using G2 if they chose, I just want to be able to have the choice to NOT use G2 and instead use the same input method I've mastered from years with many different Palms, which I've found to be faster than G2. If the "get over it" users want to live in ignorance, fine... just don't drag me down into it as well.

http://vtbsd.net/winhelp/

Sure looks like single stroke stuff to me.

Varying what she used by some literally-tiny amount and patenting it seems...wrong to me.

(BTW - I am NOT a shorthand weenie - for all I know my Dear Ol' Ma =did= use single strokes to represent individual letters as well as the standard use for entire words)

BTW- I'm working on a patent for inhaling and exhaling oxygen via the mouth or nose - I'm going to call it "breathing." With the level of apparent rubberstamping going on for obvious things at the Patent Office nowadays, this ought to slide through pretty quickly. Then, I work on my "full employment for attorneys" project (patent pending).

After Hawkins carved out his block of wood and came up with the basic core of the original Palm Pilot, Palm/PalmOne has left all innovation up to Ideo (iconic Palm V design), Handera/TRG (virtual Graffiti etc etc etc), Handspring (Treo 600 FF + whole Treo concept + USB Hotsync), Sony (tweaking OS4 for multimedia, color 320*320 screens etc).

Palm's just been rather savvy in their marketing, branding, and name recognition. Having a (still) formidable retail presence vs. everyone else in the segment doesn't hurt matters either.

Remember, many folks still call refrigerators "Frigidaires", copy machines "Xerox" machines, every soft drink a "Coke" and all tissues "Kleenex". So there's bound to be a lot of trickle down sales & benefits when people see something associated with the original "Palm Pilot".

So, yes, give Palm MANY kudos for keeping the ship not just afloat but profitable for how many quarters in a row. But that's all due to marketing savvy/lack of worhtwhile competition in the smartphone sector, and being the only man standing in the traditional PDA market. Essentially, smoke & mirrors have ruled the roost at Palm ever since the days of, oh, the Palm V's introduction (Fall of 1999 for those who still care).

Pilot 1000-->Pilot 5000-->PalmPilot Pro-->IIIe-->Vx-->m505-->T|T-->T|T2-->T|C-->T|T3-->T|T5-->TX-->Treo 700P