Writing Math Equations on the Tablet PC

embroglio · 05-13-2008, 07:36 PM

Hello all,

I currently own an hp tx2000.

I have am going to college in the Fall of 2008, and wanted to make sure I can easily take notes on my Tablet PC (I'm practicing before I'm going/using it in class now.) So far, all has been well, but I am curious: what is the best method by which to write math equations on my Tablet PC?

I have OneNote, but I was wondering if there is a more organized way, or if anyone had any tips.

Thank you!

michuncle · 05-14-2008, 01:47 PM

For Tablet PC users who need to do math, Microsoft offers an Equation Writer as part of a Tablet PC Education Pack for Windows XP or Vista (there are five different Tablet enhancement programs that maximize the value of your Tablet PC for school). The free downloads are available at:

Download details: Microsoft Education Pack for Tablet PC (XP)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en (Vista)

The Equation Writer allows you to write out your equations in Word and to convert them to a TeX style output. No need to learn the LaTeX typesetting language to get publication quality output.

Once you become comfortable “writing” math problems on your Tablet PC, you can take the next step and look at MathJournal 2.1 from Xthink. MathJournal allows you to write out your math problems and then gives you the ANSWER. If you want your homework to have a typeset quality, you can output to either MathJournal’s MathXL or LaTeX format.

xThink

srunni · 05-14-2008, 03:41 PM

LaTeX isn't just for math - it's a universal typesetting language, and I'll wager it's a lot faster to use than this Microsoft crap once you get past the initial learning curve.

BCEagle91 · 05-14-2008, 05:39 PM

I can't believe that Microsoft is distributing a front-end for LaTeX instead of a WYSIWYG interface directly into Word. There's always the use of xemacs and LaTeX for production.

There's a software package that is a math word processor from Germany with a WYSIWYG interface with pretty good math capability. It's native storage format is XML but I think that it will output TeX or LaTeX.

embroglio · 05-14-2008, 06:59 PM

What is WYSIWYG interface?

And I don't like LaTex, if you want to know why you can look at my previous post/complaint

Thanks for the help so far!

Coopjust · 05-15-2008, 09:22 PM

WYSIWYG = What You See Is What You Get. Graphical interface that shows everything just as it appears as opposed to regular code.

embroglio · 05-17-2008, 12:55 AM

Ah I see, thank you.

Right now I have Rapid Pi (amazing)
But as for writing math equations with my tablet, is the Microsoft the only one?
I can't download it for some dumb reason. Can someone help me please? (I know this is a strange place to ask.)

michuncle · 05-19-2008, 06:23 PM

Embroglio: If you have Word installed on your Tablet PC, you can activate the Equation Editor. See the following:
Installing Microsoft Office Equation Editor

The Equation Editor will allow you to paste symbols from a tool bar into a Word document. At least you can see what equations would look like on your screen. This isn’t the same as the Tablet PC Equation Writer. What kind of problem do you have when you try to download the Tablet PC Educational Pak?

embroglio · 05-19-2008, 10:19 PM

Well, when using the link that you posted above, I am only able to check if the edition of Vista is a true version (i.e. not pirated.) I am not able to download the Tablet PC Equation writer...

I don't know what to do.

I bought my PC from a store, so it isn't as if I made it on my own and used some botched version of Vista.

michuncle · 05-20-2008, 09:23 AM

Embroglio: Have you installed Vista Service Pack 1? If not, you can go to the Microsoft site and do a quick search. Download any Vista updates and try downloading the Educational Pack.

Good luck!

Pearlinthemist · 05-20-2008, 09:38 AM

I have a hptx1000 tablet & I was able to download the equation writer (part of the "Experience Pack" for vista from the microsoft website just last week. I even was able to use my firefox browser! Normally for microsoft I've had to switch to IE browser to pass the validation.

First you have to download the "validation tool", run the little program which gives you a code... then enter the code into the same browser window. That'll bring you back to what looks like the same first page, only now instead of "Continue: validation required" it says "download".
The first time I tried to download it my internet connection died in the middle & I was unable to restart it. I had to delete the partial download, restart my computer and only then was I able to get the download going again.

The other cool think you can download for your vista tablet is "Ink Desktop" which allows you to write notes/reminders on your desktop right over your wallpaper.

I installed Vista service pack 1 AFTER I downloaded all these goodies.

embroglio · 05-20-2008, 12:21 PM

Hmm...I'll have to try that when I get home.
It never let me get past the validation...and never gave me a code.
I was using Firefox Browser...but would the problems I had downloading be attributed to this? I know you were successful...

I'll try downloading Service Pack 1 and see.

Has anyone had any problems downloading these programs after downloading the service pack?

michuncle · 05-20-2008, 04:43 PM

I would make IE your default browser and try downloading the Educational Pack to your Tablet.

Googling Firefox and Tablet PC shows that people have had problems with Firefox that were fixed after downloading Tablet PC fixes. After you read through the fixes, you can switch back to Firefox.

al6200 · 05-20-2008, 05:12 PM

Anyway I could buy a regular laptop with a hookup tablet and then run all the stuff on that?

Pearlinthemist · 05-20-2008, 05:27 PM

what's tricky about that validation tool is that it's just a program download. once it's done it doesn't automatically open, it just sits wherever you downloaded it to until you click on it. So you download the tool AND you need to RUN the tool to get the code.
Using IE might be easier... you don't need to make it your default program, just right click in firefox & say "view page in external application"