.KEYWORD fatfinger
.FLYINGHEAD PRODUCT REVIEW
.TITLE FatFinger 2.0 faces off against Graffiti in time trials
.OTHER
.SUMMARY In reviewing version 2.0 of Avaion Software’s FatFinger application, Chris Guella put the company’s claim that FatFinger could improve the Palm OS user experience to the test. To answer this question, he performed a benchmark comparison of FatFinger against other popular methods for entering data into the Palm handheld. Read on to check out the fascinating results.
.AUTHOR Chris Guella
FatFinger 2.0 was released by Avaion Software (at http://www.avaion.com/fatfinger.asp) this month. I had originally looked at version 1.0, but by the time I was able to write this review, version 2.0 had already been released. What happened to version 1.1 to 1.9? Anyway, there were a number of significant improvements in version 2.0, and since they were provided to all registered users for free, off I went.
As you can see in Figure A, FatFinger allows you to display a keyboard on the Palm handheld screen as a way to improve data entry.
.FIG A FatFinger provides finger-sized buttons for easier data entry.
The concept is simple. You use your finger to tap out the text you want right on the screen. The software responds to the touch by visually and audibly clicking.
This review is intended to determine whether or not FatFinger could improve the Palm OS user experience. I decided that the best way to answer this question was to do a benchmark comparison of FatFinger against other popular methods for entering data into the Palm handheld. Primarily, I wanted to understand the difference between data entry using Graffiti, FatFinger, and a PC keyboard.
The first thing I had to do was find a test subject who had enough Graffiti experience to make a comparison worth while. In fact, the subject I selected had two years of Palm OS Graffiti experience. What I realized after the test is how it took two years for her to acquire the skill to accomplish what FatFinger allowed her to achieve in just two minutes.
My point, backed up by hard data in the following sections, is that Graffiti stinks. Said another way, the same data was entered more quickly by the beginner FatFinger user than by the same two-year-experienced Graffiti user. I remember a game when I was a lot younger called Othello. Its catch phrase was, "A few minutes to learn and a lifetime to master." I have often referred to Graffiti in that way, and now I have evidence (and FatFinger) to support such a statement.
.H1 Test methodology
The test was conducted with the "average" Graffiti user (defined as someone who has owned a Palm handheld for a number of years and knows most Graffiti strokes) who had just been introduced to FatFinger (with just a few instructions on how to activate the application). To counter the learning and memorizing of the test phrase, we executed the timing in forward order (starting with FatFinger Block Style) and then backward order (starting with the full size PC keyboard). 100% accuracy was required, so corrections were made while entering data and were included in the times. The phrase was entered into the Palm OS Memo Pad using each method two times. The times were then averaged.
.H1 Text time test
The test phrase was: "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog’s head–Call him at 781-275-0436 or email fox\@foxmail.com."
As you can see by the test results shown in Figure B, the PC keyboard provided the fastest data entry time, as expected (the subject types 80 words per minute).
.FIGPAIR B A lower score is better in these text time test results.
As we look further, to the Palm OS-only data entry methods, the FatFinger QWERTY method was more efficient than the alternatives.
I thought about the results and then realized how silly it was that the subject has been using Graffiti for two years and FatFinger for two minutes! If I had used a subject who had never used Graffiti before, I’d still be waiting for test results! My conclusion is that Palm should consider licensing FatFinger as part of the core operating system.
.H1 Numeric time test
For the numeric test, the subject was given a business card and asked to enter three area code and phone numbers that they had never seen before. The test was repeated twice for each entry method and completed in forward and then reverse order to account for the learning and memorization. The graph in Figure C shows the average of the test results and how much faster it is to use FatFinger to enter numeric data.
.FIGPAIR C A lower score is better in these numeric time test results.
I also visually observed less data correction, lower frustration, and higher accuracy using FatFinger.
.H1 Field test
As a Palm handheld user for many years, I have been frustrated by the awkward numeric data entry. This was particularly true when trying to enter a phone number while someone was speaking it to me, on the phone or in person. On many occasions I panicked using Graffiti and was unable to get the numbers right on the first try as the other party rattled off the numbers. Pen and paper were always faster for me than entering with Graffiti. Not only did I get frustrated, but people repeating numbers up to three or four times got annoyed as well. On the phone they would start to wonder what was going on. I retreated to pen and paper.
With FatFinger I had 100% success in entering the phone numbers of five people I engaged in order to test the capability. This was on the first day of use (not after two years), which is how long it took to get it almost right using Graffiti. Figure D shows the layout of the FatFinger numeric keyboard.
.FIG D This is the layout of the FatFinger numeric keyboard.
.H1 Additional considerations
FatFinger was easy to install and configure. I also felt that entering numbers was the best use for the application. However, if you actually have "fat fingers" you may still need to use a stylus to enter alphabetical characters. Entering numbers, meanwhile, should be easy with even the largest of digits (no pun intended). These shortcomings are not a big deal, but something worth pointing out.
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In summary, you should try FatFinger (they have a free trial), and if you like it you should buy it for $14.95. If not, uninstall it and go buy a mini external keyboard and load that into your computer bag along with your cell phone and other adapters. Or you could go back to the dark ages entering Graffiti one stroke at a time.
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.H1 Product availability and resources
For more information on FatFinger 2.0 from Avaion Software, visit http://www.avaion.com/fatfinger.asp.
For more information on Palm handhelds, visit http://www.palm.com.
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