Logitech's io2 Digital Writing System

Before docking the pen in its USB 2.0-capable docking station, you can create e-mail or word docs and indicate which action is to be performed by marking icons on the notepad. If you forget, you can always use the ioSoftware to create e-mail or documents from the ioDocuments created by the pen.

Upon installation of Logitech's ioSoftware, which manages the pen and documents it creates, I was told I needed either Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Fix 822603 (support.microsoft.com/?kbid=822603). After choosing the latter, I got a bit further in the setup process before I was again stopped, this time by a message telling me to install .Net Framework 1.1. This was a bit easier to deal with, as the software was included in the distribution. Once the io2 software was fully loaded, I installed MyScript Notes and 3M Post-It Software Notes Lite.Green Lights

The pen has decent battery life--up to three hours of continuous use--and charges in its docking station. The geek factor of the device increased with the green flashing LEDs on the pen that indicate how much battery power was left.

I started by training the pen to recognize my handwriting. I wrote sample pages, then docked the pen and used the io2 Software to convert the handwritten document to text. Next, I corrected the mistakes, teaching the pen to recognize and more accurately convert my handwriting.

To test the extent of the pen's ability to convert my handwriting, I wrote documents in a variety of styles: block printing, a combination of upper- and lowercase printed letters, and cursive. Block printing caused the most problems, requiring me to correct every third word or so. Mixed alpha printing and handwriting required the fewest corrections.

I had my daughter write a note to see how the software would handle a new user without being trained, and it made only one mistake in the conversion process. Not bad.

The pen has an 856-KB stroke capacity, which equals about 40 written pages of text. I considered trying to fill up the pen with data, but the one drawback to its size, which is still quite a bit larger than traditional pens, is that it begins to feel clunky after the third page of text.The io2 pen is a cool toy, and the practical applications of being able to save and convert handwritten notes are a boon for those who travel often. The biggest downside of having one is that you could easily end up stuck as the meeting scribe forever.

Lori MacVittie is a Network Computing senior technology editor working in our Green Bay, Wis., labs. Write to her at [email protected].