GrafCheaty

A Graffiti^TM cheat sheet that goes on the Graffiti^TM area of a Palm/Pilot

December 1998

Explanation

Graffiti is a software system for handwriting analysis. It didn't originate on the Palm/Pilot, but the Palm/Pilot is the first palmtop computer to use it as the primary input method.

The key to Graffiti's success is that instead of trying to learn your handwriting, you meet the program halfway and use a specific set of glyphs. The benefit of this is that it works well. The down side is that you have to learn all these glyphs.

While the glyph set is very similar to the way most people write Roman letters by hand, it isn't exactly the same. You can use cheat sheets to aid you during the learning period, but for real beginners it's a major pain to keep looking back and forth between the card or sticker and the Graffiti area of the screen.

GrafCheaty solves this problem by being the first Graffiti reference that goes right on the screen!

Many people already use sticky notes (Post-It^TM brand, or other) on the Graffiti area to protect it from scratches and wear. Simply print the GrafCheaty chart onto a sticky note, trim it to fit the Graffiti area, stick it on, and away you go! Your eyes can stay in one place, reading the cheat sheet, and watching your stylus tip as you write the glyphs.

Materials

You will need:

• A computer from which to download and print stuff.
• A PostScript compatible printer. Just about any printer will do, though the higher resolution (dpi) you can get, the better.
• A sheet of paper.
• A sticky note.
• The PostScript file, Encapsulated PostScript file, or Portable Document Format file of the GrafCheaty.
• A Palm/Pilot, obviously, or why bother?

If you don't have a PostScript printer, you can download and print out the above graphic instead, though you'll have to figure out how to print it out the correct size. You want it to be about 1⁷/₁₆ inches wide. You should be able to load the EPS file into many popular graphics programs, and print from there, too.

The Process

1. Using a pen or pencil, draw an arrow in the upper right hand corner of the piece of paper.
2. Place the piece of paper into your printer's manual feed, arrow end first.
3. Print out the file, instructing your printer to use the manual feed.
4. Attach the sticky note to the printout so that:
1. it completely covers the GrafCheaty chart
2. the top edge of the GrafCheaty chart is aligned with the horizontal lines
3. the note is well attached to the paper
5. Place the piece of paper back into your printer's manual feed, again, arrow end first.
6. Print out the PostScript file again, making sure to instruct your printer to use the manual feed.
7. Carefully remove the sticky note from the paper.
8. Trim the sticky note around the outside of the rectangle. Leave the credit area attached; it is actually important.
9. Stick the GrafCheaty to the Palm/Pilot screen:
1. Make sure your Palm/Pilot is off.
2. Slide the credit area between the bottom of the screen and the case.
3. Align the top of the GrafCheaty with the top of the the Graffiti area. (If you miss, simply lift the chart, and try again.)
4. Rub the GrafCheaty gently but firmly with your finger to attach it completely to the screen.

Finito! You can now use your Palm/Pilot as normal. Some people who have tried the sticky note thing have reported that they actually enjoy the feel of paper under their stylus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it stuck permanently?

No, it's just a sticky note after all. The adhesive should keep it from shifting around, but if you don't want it there any more, just peel it off (gently) with your fingernail.

The letters wear off, what can I do?

Well, you can keep replacing the note, they're pretty cheap to make. You can also cover the chart with adhesive tape or lamination, but I don't recommend it. Here's why: when the chart wears out, throw it away, and try writing Graffiti without the chart. GrafCheaty is meant to be a learning aid, not a permanent crutch.

I notice that the proportions between your "numeric" and "alphabetic" regions are different than the ones printed on the screen. Does this make any difference?

Not that I have noticed.

Coming Soon (as I get around to it)

• GrafCheaty II - Punctuation.
• GrafCheaty III - Extended Characters

Other ideas for this concept:

• A list of your hack-activating strokes.
• You company's logo.
• My picture.
• A hack that enables you to tap spots on a GrafCheaty style overlay and use the Graffiti area as a keyboard.

This page, and the GrafCheaty chart itself are ©1998, Elliott C. Evans. I grant you (the reader of this) permission to print and copy these materials for any use that does not involve money, provided my name remains attached.