Handwriting personalization, sentence samples, and data migration
For personalization of handwriting recognition, it's true that 50 sentences can seem like a lot to ask - but it turns out that that set represents just the right amount of training data to ensure that users across the board will be able to get a noticeable benefit for their investment. The threshold was set based on test datasets from many users.
Meanwhile a lot of research has gone into how to get that number down, to lower the 'entry level' for reaping the benefits of personalization. As a result of this, the handwriting recognition personalization system can actually give an accuracy improvement after submitting just over 10 sentences via the Handwriting recognition personalization tool. This is the secret feature Ian referred to -- it kicks in for users of the Input Panel with several hundred successfully recognized passages under their belts and Automatic learning enabled. (Btw if any of you experience this feature in action, I'd be happy to hear your feedback!)
However to guarantee that personalization is giving you the most benefit, you should submit at least the initial 50 sentence samples. Remember that the more you submit, the better handwriting recognition works.
One bright side of submitting a large set of samples (besides the world's best handwriting reco experience!) is that you never have to resubmit the samples, even when you upgrade your build. The samples migrate using the Windows Easy Transfer wizard (found in Accessories->SystemTools), along with the rest of your personal files and settings. When I'm waiting for a meeting to start (or in one that doesn't require a lot of participation... ahem), I ink a few sentences or troubleshoot some words using the personalization wizard. Then before upgrading, I use Easy Transfer to save my personal data to a USB stick. Over time I've accumulated significant personalization data that I can easily load onto any post-Beta2 Tablet, and the effect continues to amaze me.
Why "post-Beta2"? Because migration of this data unfortunately doesn't work well from the Beta2 build to a post-Beta2 build. However I've used it many times post-Beta2 and it's been working admirably.
Fyi Easy Transfer is also useful for avoiding repetitive setup tasks for each upgrade, such as copying desktop files, or tweaking various settings such as folder options or optin to Automatic learning.
Bradley Music - Mobile PC Team
