[at-l] Sharp TM-20s: can you touch type on them?

[dachsnj@hotmail.com (Trail Dude)]

Is the use of these kinds of devices condoned on the trail?  This is not 
meant as a debate starter where a bunch of folks come back with a "there's 
no law" or "hike your own hike" response.  I was wondering how people feel 
about using high tech gadgets on the trail.  I, for one, have stopped 
carrying a cell phone as it may result in the reduction of the detachment 
from civilization experience that I believe time on the trail is all about.  
Just wondering how the rest of the posters feel.

Dachs


>From: Kenneth Knight <krk@speakeasy.org>
>To: AT-L <at-l@backcountry.net>,   backpackinglight 
><BackpackingLight@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: [at-l] Sharp TM-20s: can you touch type on them?
>Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 10:51:50 -0400
>
>I'm a touch typist and I write a lot (as anyone who has read my journals 
>knows). I also don't look
>at the screen of a handheld (my Newton) when I'm typing. I'd really like to 
>lighten the journal
>load. THe Newton and keyboard work wonderfully. I've got a full word 
>processor I can use and the
>screen is quite readable. But, the cobination weighs almost 30 ounces.
>
>I know a lot of people are using Sharp Telemails and/or Palm Pilots on the 
>trail these days. I've
>seen the Palm keyboards and they're not bad but the screens seem to be 
>generally pretty lousy. I've
>not really had a chance to try the Sharp TM20 though. Can the keyboard be 
>used by a touch typist or
>will I find my fingers jamming on mulitple keys (I CANNOT hunt 'n peck)? 
>How is the screen?
>
>Of course, the added benefit of being able tos end emails on the go is a 
>nice little plus with the
>Sharp but it is really quite secondary to overall usability (defined here 
>as being able to
>comfortably write something like 700-1000 words per journal entry each 
>day).
>
>   ** Ken **
>
>**  Kenneth Knight    Web Design, IT Consultant, Software Engineer  **
>**       krk@speakeasy.org        http://www.speakeasy.org/~krk     **
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