Tablet PCs & dev @ Heulab

Note Taking and Mind Mapping on Fun with MindBook...

dev — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 20:56:00 GMT

I recently, used the mind mapping feature of fun with mindbook, for one of marketing presentations...
It was pretty cool...
The best part was the fact that, apart from just using the mind mapping tools, to plot out my ideas and throughts, i was able to create a very neat mind map, which could be neatly folded into a simple collection of segments.
In other words, Fun With MindBook, allows its mind maps to hide its branches when needed and like wise extend too.

There is a thread going on about Fun with MindBook, at tablet pc buzz... check it out.
I have even uploaded some screen shots there.

http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27236&whichpage=3

Also on another note... is it possible to upload images into my tabletpc blog... [this one].... how?

Mind Mapping with MindBook is amazing....

dev — Sat, 27 Aug 2005 21:14:00 GMT

I was trying out some of the new functionalities of Heulab's Fun with Mind Book, and was pretty impressed by its Mind Mapping section.
It allows you to create multi-layered mind maps that can be expanded and compressed according to the needs of the user.
Also, the ability to recognize shapes when creating the mind mapping bubble and then being able to directly ink into the mind map, is almost like taking the best of both worlds.
It gives you software and computer precision, accuracy and intelligence, added on with the ease of using a paper and pencil, only now in a digital form.

This is pretty cool..... have any of you guys tried it out????

Heulab has recently also activated its saving option for this trial version, which was previously not there.
Try it out??? I would love to know what you all think about it.....
http://www.heulab.com/mindb.htm

Fun with Mind Book, (Note Taking Software) available for free Trial Download.

dev — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 16:18:00 GMT

The long waited application, Heulab's Fun with Mind Book which was in Beta phase for the past few month, is finally here.
It is now available for free trial download.

Try it out.

Fun With MindBook - the Ultimate Notes Taking Software

dev — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 22:35:00 GMT

Heulab's Fun with Mind Book, is the ultimate solution for tablet users in the Education Industry and even beyond.

The software, has a powerful organizer, schedular, digital notes taker and most importantly a Mind Mapper.

The mind Mapping capability of the software is amazingly efficient and extremely easy to use. Thus in a way, MindBook, does not only help you organize your schedule but also your THOUGHTS AND IDEASS!!!

Fun with MindBook, has moved beyond its Beta version and will be available for Trial download in ONE WEEK!!!

The count Down has begun.......

Laptop Versus Tablets?

dev — Thu, 11 Aug 2005 20:30:00 GMT

i am a big laptop user myself.... and sometimes i wonder, what is so great about using a tablet over a laptop. You just get to ink... thats it?? Is the extra money really worth it?

Well... these questions are really the things people think of before they buy a tablet over a laptop.... specifically in the education industry.
I am a student myself... and what i think will really make other students buy a tablet is not just the fact that you can use digital ink..... there has got to be more?
But what can this more be..... well none other than the magic of Software!!!!

Without usefull software..... tablets are just any other machine with a new technique to ink...

What we really need now adays to break into the Education industry ... are cool applications that can really be usefull for both students and teachers alike. And which will drive them to fork out that extra hundred dollars for a tablet over a laptop.

Definitely.... in the wireless and mobile world of today... there is no doubt on how great laptop are over PCs.... Ofcourse both have their advantages and disadvantages... but i wont discuss that now....!!

What my point is........ it is only through software applications that use tablet tools...which can truly promote the machine!!

Taiwan......School of Future!

dev — Thu, 11 Aug 2005 06:37:00 GMT

Taiwan's School of Future interested in Heulab's Fun with Contruction and Fun with Virtual Classroom, two revolutionary Tablet PC Educations for the modern students and teachers.

Fun with Construction, is particularly an application which I think is attractive to every student and teacher who use Tablet PCs.
This application offers a virtual platform of all geomterical construction tools, graphing abilities, flowcharting techniques and auto shape recognizer.

A couple of reasons why teachers like to use FwC, version 2.0, is their main application:
- It allows them to import and export documents.
- The dynamic graphing tool and virtual construction tools serve very usefull for demo purpose.
-FwC gives students a chance to learn really how to use the tools. They still need to apply the practical techniques to use each tool, even if in a virtual platform. Thereby, it creates an independent and enhanced way for students to learn.
and finally, a very interesting tool, that FwC offers is shape recognizer.
Imagine from the percepective of a teacher, you want to explain something using squares and circles. Well now you can draw one with your free hand and it will be automatically converted on the spot to an accurate one.
Or even better if you want to, you can use the virtual compass and draw a circle with the required dimension.

Anyways, the point of this post is, Tablet PCs and their education impact is fast spreading in Asia too.
If i am not wrong, Taiwan is almost about 70% wireless and in a place like this, it is not but obvious that tablets are taking a major role as teaching mediums.

Stay in Control!!!! with Heulab's : 'Fun with Virtual Classroom (FvC)'

dev — Mon, 11 Jul 2005 05:43:00 GMT

Fun with Virtual Classroom is a powerful application which creates a platform for both students and teachers to empower them with the latest tools of the Next Generation Learning!

Some of the main features of Fun with Virtual Classroom (FvC) are:

- Auto quizz timings during class administration and tests

- Enables teachers to easily control and monitor student pcs.

- Real time interaction between teachers and students, through IM, desktop sharing, white-board etc.

-Easy file transfer and distribution in class.

and MUCH MORE!!!! To find out more about this visit: http://www.heulab.com/fwv.htm

This software makes life so much more easier for both students and teachers!

From a teachers percepective, they have always wanted something that would equip them to be able to closely monitor the student's progress, to easily interact with students and to make the hazzles of class management and administration easy! - well then FvC can help you out!

Shape Recognition in FwC, version 2.0

dev — Thu, 07 Jul 2005 13:21:00 GMT

Shape recognition...a very simple but useful tool for teachers and students.

The latest version of Fun with Construction, by HeuLab offers, a powerful shape recognizer which makes it easier for both students and teachers to use the application.
When constructing flow charts, or even simple geometrical constructions the shape recognizer appears to be very attractive.
For instance, if a teacher was using FwC for a whiteboard demonstration on a Tablet, the teacher would not need to spend time to draw a perfect square, but instead could simply draw a free hand one, which would automatically be converted to an accurate image.

I recieved feedback from a maths teacher pointing this particular ability, thus thought would share it with you all.

For all your info, the complete copy of FwC, version 2.0 is up online for Free Trial download.

http://www.heulab.com/download.htm

More on HeuLab Fun with MindBook!

dev — Thu, 07 Jul 2005 02:24:00 GMT

Very recently HeuLab demoed a version of their new software MindBook at NECC, 2005!

Lora's blog has a clipping of the demo: http://www.whatisnew.com/blogs/dailynews/archive/2005/07/05/907.aspx

Microsoft- Backpack.NET && I saw bill gates LIVE :D

dev — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 18:48:00 GMT

Microsoft along with iDA (infocomm Development authority of Singapore) have long started a Backpack.NET initiative. Under ths is project, Tablet PC are being promoted into schools in Singapore. Several pilots have already been deployed and the technology is much being appreciated.

Tablet PCs and the next generation learning, is really being initiated with strong enthusiasim in Singapore, lets just hope it continues to make a difference!

1st of July, Singapore, Suntec Convention Centre, Bill Gates LIVE!!!

It was great to hear the man himself talking ....

As far as microsoft and bill Gates are concerned.... they are pretty confident about the tablet PC movement here in Singapore.

about the Bill Gates conference... well in the talk, he was basically sort of reflecting on Microsoft's next decade plans, 2015! Some pretty exciting this are in visions!! Next ten years are going to be exciting times from the techno percepective!!!

Perfect for both Students and Teachers! - FwC, version 2.0

dev — Tue, 28 Jun 2005 03:20:00 GMT

The questions?

- what are the benefits for students and teachers to use FwC?

- what is it that FwC aims to provide or achieve?

Fun with Construction, version 2.0, (FwC), is not a maths software that provides you the answer. Instead FwC, creates a virtual platform for students and teachers alike, to teach and learn.

What FwC does For Teachers:

- Provides a virtual stage, equiped with all the tools needed for the lesson planning process.

- Easy navigation enables the development of more efficient and quick teaching techniques.

- Can be used as a white board, for the delivery of the lesson.

What FwC provides Students:

- Provides all geometrical and graphing tools in a virtual environment for easy usage and quick practise.

- FwC does not directly give you the answer but allows you to use the tools to generate the answer yourself. This particular feature maintains the learning edge of the subject.

- Paper free tools, which can be used for anything thats needs measurement. The virtuality and portability of the tools that FwC provides makes it even more attractive and extends its deployment even beyond the subject of mathematics.

The softwares developed by Heulab all aim to build a virtual ecosystem for the development of the modern era of education.!

FwC in particular provides a platform, for interactive, independent and practical work and learning.

To all Tablet Using Students and Teachers your wish has come true : FwC version 2.0 available for beta trial download!!!

dev — Tue, 21 Jun 2005 04:01:00 GMT

As I mentioned in one of my previous posts about Fun with Construction(FwC), version 2.0, well guess what it is uploaded onto Heulab's website...for Trial Download!!!! Check it out !!! http://www.heulab.com/download.htm

Fun with Construction, version 2.0, is indeed a revolutionary tool, that makes maths, constructions, geogrpahy mapping, flow charting all easy and better.

Just imagine, you own personal tool kit with all possible tools available to you. Lesson planning for teachers will be so much more easier and better.

The greatest power that Fun with Construction employes is the inking capability of Tablet PCs. All your tools are available on your tablet just as in real life, you just have to pick up your stylus and construct.

If one was to ask me as a student what are the advantages of using these digital tools compared to the real conventional tools, my answer would be:

- Doing all Constructions on my Tablet will be more faster and easier.

- Everything is digital, so printing out my work, emailing it to my teacher, having discussions with my team mates on projects will be more convinient and better.

- Also from my experience of using Fun with Construction, drawing flow charts and analysisng graphs is extremely powerful and better!

Anyways these are only a few of my personal advantges that I see for Fun with Construction, I am sure there are more.

You guys should really try it out, and then maybe we can all discuss this.

Tablet PCs are the gateway for enabling the Next Generation Learning and its high time that we all work toward adopting these new features and technology in classrooms and get the younger generation to get aquinted with this technology!!!

Adding to LPH's list, what I do with my Tablet!

dev — Mon, 20 Jun 2005 02:56:00 GMT

I know a Tablet PC has alot of usefull features and the softwares available which make it even more powerful are amazing. I use my tablet for several purposes, but one thing that I would like to mention, which I really have fun doing is using my Tablet and its inking capability in my mails and IM.

When using IM, such as MSN, with a Tablet I am able to send messages in my own handwriting, personalize them in my own way.... add my own drawings, smileys and little cartoons. All this is only possible with the magical stylus of a Tablet PC.

Another possible use of a Tablet PC, which I really enjoy is using it to add signatures to my mails. Earlier I had to go through a tedious and long process to add signatures to my e-mail, but now all I have to do it pick up my stylus and sign!!!

The above are only some of the things that I really enjoy doing with My stylus.... but yes it can not be ignored, today the powers of a Tablet are beyond imagination. Not only in Education, but even in Hospitals, Government management etc.

A Tablet PC is just a hardware with really cool features..... what really makes it useful is the softwares and applications that are developed to make the Tablet functionable and usable in different areas!!!

Having working in a company that focuses on developing Tablet PC application, I must admit I am impressed with the ideas that they think and the possibile potentials that a Tablet PC has!!!

Its indeed the era of Digital Tablets!!!

Geometry construction, Graphing, Mapping +++... ALL Made Virtual and Easy!

dev — Sat, 18 Jun 2005 12:45:00 GMT

Hi guys,
I am going to share with you my latest experience on one of Heulab's Fun Pack Series Product, called Fun with Construction, version 2.0.

Fun with Construction was developed keeping in my mind the needs of the modern virtual age of education, where students equiped with tablet PCs could make full use of its capabilites in all their classes. Tablet PCs are known to have been functioning as digital paper, consolidating all your data into one digital system!
But is that it? ! No...
Heulab's development team thoought of this innovative way to merge even the student's pencil case, graphing tools and geometry set into a virtual form on Tablets!
Fun with Construction, does precisely this! It provides fantastic construction tools which student can use for geomtery in Maths, for mapping in geography and even for building flow charts. Now i am a first year university student and havent really had to deal with a lot of construction stuff yet, but I remember my geometry classes in maths, struggling with my protractor and compass to draw those images.But now with Fun with Construction things will be so much more easier !
You may wonder, by using fun with construction like softwares, students may not be able to learn the techniques of using these construction tools, but no thats wrong!!! Fun with construction, provides you with the tools on a virtual level, but you still have to know the ways on how to use them, then let it to be the conventional paper way or the modern digital way. Further more, fun with construction, allows students to do all their constructions in a more accurate, enhanced and faster way their by improving the lesson's effectiveness.

Anyways I started off, because I wanted to share with you my experience. ]
Well here it is..... I tried using the new version of Fun With construction, version 2.0, which has amazing new added graphing tools. As an engineering student I have to do alot of graphing out of solutions and then analyasing them. With this software I can draw my graphs really fast and in very accurate percepectives. Further, using the digital inking powers of a Tablet, analysing, studying and taking notes on the graph also becomes so much more better and easier!

If you guys want to learn more about Heulab's products or even this one, visit their website or drop me a mail.

The older version of Fun with Construction is available on the net for trial download. I strongly recommend that you guys also try out the new version, its a mega improvement(Fun with Construction, version 2.0)
!!!

Tablets PCs and the Digital Stone Age!!!

dev — Wed, 15 Jun 2005 20:07:00 GMT

I was just thinking about the name TABLET and all the cool, awesome things a Tablet PC can do.

The word 'Tablet' always gives me very stone age sort of an impression, but ironically Tablet PC is the revolutionizing agent of modern technology.

Tablet PCs have truly given a new dimension to all industries then let it Education, Hospitals, Logisitics or even business management! Once aquinted with the features that today's Tablet Softwares provide, their use seems totally indispensible.

In the Education Sectors, Heulab already has a couple of its softwares as pilots in schools in the Asia Pacific Region, including our local market of Singapore. Compared to the conventional methods of learning and teaching, the modern Tablet piloted systems are totoally revolutionary and give a new, better, enhanced and independent education environment, which truly prepare students to embark on their own journey of life long learning!

My point is, looking at such examples, and how Tablet PC's mark the era of mobile and digital computing..... I often think how ironic it is that they are called Tablets, which atleast for me ..take me back into history...when people use to carve stuff on Tablets!

So now if we think back into history and recall... when tablets came into the picture...... it was for the first time that man started recording down things and writing.... marking a major step in the progress of Human civilization! And the same can be thought of today with Tablet PCs.... the way this gadget is fast penetrating into the society and revolutinizing every indusrty that it touches..... it forces me to consider that.... indeed history repeats itself...once again these 'Digital Tablets' of today mark yet another major milestone in the progress of Human Civilization!!! Hence this term popped into my head: DIGITAL STONE AGE!!!!