Tired of constantly tapping the caret to enter some punctuations? Punctpad is a floating keyboard consisting of punctuations, numbers and various editing features. It is designed to eliminate a few extra taps to delete or add commonly used punctuations. Added features help keep PunctPad handy but out of your way!
When installed, PunctPad will also put a button in your backdrop's status bar for easy access.
Named as Newton Underground's Package of the Week (POW) in February 1998.
HandJive rated PunctPad 5/5 stars.
Please note: PunctPad is now honorware. Because Punctpad was initially released as freeware and now that Apple has discontinued the Newton, I have debated over and over on charging a fee for for this version. Previous versions have been good but v3.0 is a big leap in features - customizable keys and views, NewtWorks compatability, etc. So I decided, "What the heck!" If you like it you'll pay the fee! PunctPad is not disabled in anyway - it's up to you to decide if it is worth the measly $5.00 cash (U.S). I hope so!
Please send honorware fee to:
Way Wong
5714 Clearsite Street
Torrance, Ca 90505
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Installation
*** If you are upgrading from a version older than v2.5 make sure you delete the preference file called PunctPad:Way using a utility such as Stand Alone's Preferences Cleaner. ***
PunctPad's shrink button is now a seperate package. This was designed to eliminate some annoying duplicate buttons floating around the Newton's screen.
You must install this in order to have PunctPad's shrink option available.
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Using PunctPad
Using most of the keys are pretty self-explanatory. The following keys need a little clarification on their function. Also see the PunctPad 3.0 Addendum for the newest features.
The "Text" button pops up a user defined list of text. Just tap an item from the list
and it will be placed where the caret is.
To create a new text or edit an existing one tap "Edit text", then
1) To create new text:
- tap - "New" (A new, empty slot is created). If your list is long scroll arrows will
appear.
- Enter the text into the editing area and press "Replace". (also see the 3.0
addendum for the easier method of entering text)
2) To Delete an existing item in the list:
- Tap the item in the list to hilite it. Its text will appear in the editing area.
- Press "Delete"
3) To edit an existing item:
- Tap the item in the list to hilite it. Its text will appear in the editing area.
- Make your changes and press "Replace"
** Make sure you press "Save" after changing any item. Pressing the close
box does not save your changes.
"Positioning" buttons:
On the side of the keyboard are a set of buttons:
The top five are positioning buttons. The top arrow will move PunctPad to the top of the screen, the bottom arrow moves it to the bottom of the screen. The middle three move it to the top quarter, middle or three quarters down the screen. This helps you keep PunctPad from covering up your text and is easier and quicker than dragging PunctPad (which you can still do if you want to - just uncheck the checkbox,see below, and drag PunctPad by holding down the shaded border of the app and slide the pen.)
"Cursor Tracking" feature:
This consists of an arrow button and a checkbox:
- When checked, the tracking feature is enabled (this is the default when you open PunctPad). Where ever you move the caret, PunctPad will follow. This keeps PunctPad almost as close as the builtin caret punctuation menu. (Note: Tapping any of the Positioning buttons will uncheck the box and toggle this feature off.)
- The arrow button flips PunctPad above or below the cursor, again making it easier to view text or get it out of your way for handwriting.
Hope you find little app this useful!
Contacting me
Please feel free to send any comments, questions or problems:
