By Dan Hanttula
It’s no secret that we lose a lot of ergonomic benefits
by using a handheld device. The tiny device designs and smaller
keyboards don’t promote good ergonomic techniques. However, there is one
way that you can promote better use: with a third-party stylus. Best of
all, you can carry a better stylus around with you without any extra
effort!
A third-party stylus promotes better ergonomics by
eliminating the need to try to write with a tight, pinched grip. As an
added bonus, you can even buy a “multi-purpose” stylus that includes a
pen, pencil, and highlighter tip, in addition to functioning as a
stylus. (I’ll provide a list of third-party stylus vendors at the end of
this article.)
Once you purchase a larger stylus, you’ll need a way
to carry it. Unfortunately, each PDA has a silo that is specifically
designed to only accept the stylus that ships with the device. However,
most handhelds also come with a carrying case, and you can easily use
that to make sure that your new stylus goes everywhere that your Windows
Mobile device does.
If you have a case
with a strap on top, odds are good that the strap is loose enough to
fit the stylus inside the strap (see below). Carrying the stylus in
this manner allows you to easily keep the stylus and PDA in one neat
little package. If the strap is too loose (allowing the stylus to
slip out), you can use the clip on the stylus to secure it to the
strap on the carrying case.
If the strap on your carrying case is too snug to
fit a stylus inside it, you can use the clip on the stylus to secure
it to the outside of the case. Obviously, this method exposes the
stylus to impacts that could jar it loose, so this might not be a
good solution for people who lead an active lifestyle or are clumsy
(like me).
Of course, the carrying case that you already have
may provide additional ways to store a larger stylus, like an extra
space at the bottom of the case, or even a loop for carrying a pen.
Take a look at the case you have now and use a little imagination.
After all, the benefits of using a larger stylus might outweigh the
inconvenience of lugging it around.
Third-party stylus vendors:
· PDA
Panache
·
Stylus
Plus
·
Stylus Central
