The Power of the Pen

A mouse ‚ the best invention since the remote control – or is it? Actually, it is the other way around, with the mouse invented in the 1950s by a Xerox employee and the wireless infrared remote control only two decades later. Still, a mouse allows you to use your computer with none of the furious keyboard use so popular in the movies. It has its shortcomings though, especially when performing accurate movements when working with graphics or CAD where the slightest inaccuracy could be a major catastrophe. Under these scenarios, the R70-00 mouse isn’t good enough. You need something specialised, perhaps like a trackball or something purposely designed for accurate movement. So writes SEAN BACHER.

Like any piece of hardware you buy it never really is plug-and-play. Firstly you have to plug the pad into your USB port, power up your machine and wait for Windows to detect your new hardware. Then install all the relative drivers and software applications you want to use. Once done be prepared to have to reboot your machine a second time. After the initial installation you need to calibrate the pen and set it up to your preferences. Once that’s done, you should be ready to rock-and-roll. Now all that’s left is to get rid of that pesky out-of-date rodent.

Very easy, in fact the only thing you will miss is a scroll wheel. Apart from that, it works like any other pointing device – place it on the pad and push that pen. When using the pen you will immediately feel at ease with the device ‚ after learning that the click is performed by tapping the pen on the pad and a left click is performed by pushing the button located on the pen’s side. The mouse works like a standard mouse, but unfortunately only with the supplied pad. Included in the Wacom’s box are a couple of software applications to make your life a little easier. One such application is the additional security application allowing you to lock your documents with a signature instead of a code. The software recognises the signature by speed, pressure and overall accuracy, so you don’t have to worry if you signature isn’t 100% the same as when you locked the document.

Yip it sure does. Launch your favourite imaging application and begin drawing away. Finally you can perfect your signature and stick it at the bottom of your documents for that ultimate touch of professionalism. You can also manipulate pictures far easier and more accurately with the pen. The Wacom pad even lets you place a piece of paper under the transparent flap for tracing.

There are quite a few tablets available on the market and they more or less do exactly the same thing. The thing that sets the Wacom apart from most other tablets is that it is aimed at the home user looking to get a little creative on his PC without having to spend too much money.

At R800-00 rands I think it’s quite a reasonable price for a two-in-one device.

The Wacom Volito is available from Incredible Connection. Contact them on (011) 806-8400.

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