Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with handwriting

Who can I pay to type up my notes?

zachlipton — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:27:28 -0800

TypeMyNotesPleaseFilter: I periodically find myself in need of this service, which obviously must exist, yet I cannot find. I have a bunch of handwritten notes, not written with any kind of fancy smartpen, but rather, just pencil on paper. I would like to be able to scan said notes myself and send them to some kind of service wherein I can pay someone to type them up and send me back a decently formatted copy with a turnaround time of 12-24 hours. Who do I ask to do this? There are a number of past posts on OCR-related methods for doing this, but I've never used one that actually works. Generally, the transcription would be happening during nighttime in the US. I'd far rather have a reasonable level of errors than pay top dollar for camera-ready copy. Of course, I need a usable level of quality as well.

For the most part, these are notes for personal use, without any specialized medical or legal terms. I've found tons of audio transcription services that will type up conversations, but I'm having a ton of trouble finding the 2009-era quick and dirty (i.e. fast and cheap) equivalent to Allison, Don Draper's secretary on Mad Men for a little word processing.

Bonus points if you've used one of these services before and can recommend them or give tips on their use. At this point, even a better idea of what I should be Googling for would be quite helpful.

Archivists: where can I find samples of 19th-century script?

Monsters — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:11:53 -0800

As a part of my academic research, I'm digging into the Edison Papers, and finding (mostly handwritten) archival materials from the late 19th century. I'm embarrassed to admit I can barely read the cursive handwriting of Edison and his colleagues. Does anyone know where I might find samples of 19th-century script to help me learn how to read this archival material? I know that there are various 'hands' that were popular in the past, and it looks like the papers are written with dip pens (according to my fountain-pen-nerd boyfriend). The script I'm struggling with looks most like the third column on this page of Copperplate samples, but even more stretched out.

I also found this tutorial by googling around, but I thought i might see if any Mefites with archival experience have any sources they prefer/tips for the Edison Papers specifically.

I can't write. Help!

Mr_Thirdworld — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:21:43 -0800

I've started a course of study that involves making a lot of hand written notes. The thing is, I haven't written in years! I haven't picked up a writing instrument in years. As a result, my spelling is atrocious, penmanship poor and I'm just slow at writing in general. Any tips on improving quickly?

My (really not great) handwriting into pretty, pretty computer text?

eb98jdb — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:34:22 -0800

My (really not great) handwriting into pretty, pretty computer text? Is Livescribe the answer? I have to take a lot of handwritten notes in my job. This results in a lot of them being stored up in notebooks and I will never be bothered to type them all up afterwards and so alot of useful info is left to moulder. I'm looking for a solution that will enable me to make handwritten notes, transfer them to a computer and then have them OCR'd (is that a verb?) into text which I can then store and transfer.

I've seen the Pulse Smartpen.

A few points:-

1. I'm fine with using the special dotted paper
2. If relevant, running Windows XP
3. I'm not fussed about recording audio although it doesn't hurt if it's there.
4. I want to avoid (at all costs) taking notes on ordinary paper and then scanning and OCRing them
5. I've seen some stuff which involves clipping something to an ordinary sheet of paper - not sure I like the look of that.

My questions:-

1. Does this thing actually take my (admittedly not great) handwriting and convert it into text? I've seen some reviews but would be interested to hear if anyone has live experience of this
2. If it doesn't, does anyone have any recommendations of something that would do this?

Thanks for your help

Me no write gud: Where can I find a certain paper, and how can I learn to write like a grown-up? (details inside)

Draccy — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:17:06 -0800

Bad Pen-me-ship Filter: I'd like to find a version of college ruled paper that has the faint middle line to keep me on track with letter formation. I'd really like the college ruled because it always looks funny when I am in a management meeting writing on first grader's training paper. I need your help to find college-ruled paper that has a faint middle line that will help me to keep my lower-case letters tame. I have trouble reading my own writing, and have used the many technique with repeating letters to change it. I can't ever seem to get a "grown-up" writing style, and write the same as I did as a child. So this might be a two parter, and I didn't find anything in previous threads that answered either.

Part 1: Do you know of a college-ruled paper that has the faint middle line as a guide that I can either buy or download the template for? Do you know how I could try to make one in Excel?

Part 2: How can I find my grown-up writing style? I still sign my name in awful big loopy cursive letters that I picked up in third grade.

Thank you so much in advance for your help. I love my mefi-friends.

Handwriting font, or real handwriting?

Brettus — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:59:43 -0800

How do I achieve this in Photoshop? Photo included. My fiance and I are designing our own invitations for our wedding. We have found this design, which we really like. Specifically, we would like the bride and groom names to be like they are there. However, none of us have handwriting that is that nice. We can't achieve something that looks that natural, but still somewhat elegant.

So,

1) Do you think this was done with a tablet or was the handwriting scanned in?
2) Is there a font out there that can achieve something like this? I don't think so, because some of the tails lead way under other letters.
3) If 1 and 2 are not an option, where can I go to have someone write this for us and scan it in as something i can import into the design.

The bottom line is, what is your best suggestion for getting this done?

Wanted: art skillz

pilibeen — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:08:33 -0800

How can I develop more of an artist's eye? I have very little artistic sense - I can't draw anything beyond some laughable cartoons, my handwriting looks sloppy and labored, and I don't have any idea where to start when it comes to layout/design.

We've had to make a number of signs lately for work, and it's highlighted my lack of artistic ability on all fronts. Is this something I can improve and learn?

I find drawing genuinely relaxing, but the experience is usually ruined by a crap result. My handwriting can be passable, but it is inconsistent.

Can I learn to be a more artistic person?

PS. I have no money for classes...

How can I cure my handwriting problems?

kitfreeman — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:42:05 -0800

How can I cure my handwriting problems? I have serious problems with my handwriting. I hate the sight of it, even my signature. It's awkward, ungainly, and inconsistent. This makes life hard, especially if I have to write something that will be seen by others (and in my job I frequently do). It’s not unusual for me to write dozens of drafts, even of a signature. And, of course, the more conscious I become of my writing, the harder it becomes to produce something with which I'm happy. I’ll do pretty much anything to avoid writing by hand. It's not that I want my handwriting to be beautiful -- I just want it to look fluid and consistent.

There are two aspects to the problem. One is mechanical; I've never acquired a settled style. At elementary school (in the UK) I was taught italic, but the emphasis was on calligraphy rather than fluidity, and I developed a bizarre, extremely angular style, which was slow to produce and hard to read. At high school I was forced to give this up and adopt an upright cursive hand. I never really mastered this. My writing became large and clumsy, and I began to hate it. I started to avoid handwriting and use a word processor wherever possible, and lack of practice only made the situation worse. I've never felt I have a style that is my own, and the size, shape, and angle or my letters varies hugely even within a single word.

The other aspect is psychological. I suspect there is an element of OCD in my attitude to my handwriting (the perfectionism, the writing and re-writing, etc.). I have some symptoms in other areas, too, though nothing like so bad.

This seems to be a rare problem, and it's one I feel rather ashamed of. It is serious, however. I get extremely distressed by my handwriting, and the problem is interfering with my job. I'd be hugely grateful for advice on how to tackle either or both aspects of it. (By the way, the problem isn't to do with handedness. I'm naturally right-handed.)

Temporary email: writingproblem@gmail.com

A golden needle in a Nietzschean haystack

symbebekos — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:41:25 -0800

I'm looking for the words "amor fati" written in Nietzsche's own hand. So far all I've been able to find are images of some of his notebooks, but I'm not sure the phrase occurs in any of the pages and going through all of them seems like a daunting task. Any ideas? Also, the higher resolution the better.

Are you great at reading horrible handwriting? Your expertise is needed!

mwachs — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:35:20 -0800

Are you great at reading horrible handwriting? Your expertise is needed! Last year, I met one the most kind men I had ever come across while traveling through Europe. Unfortunately he gave me his address while rushing for a train and the handwriting of the street is pretty impossible for me to read. Can you decipher it? And if you happen to live in either Alicante, Spain or Rabat, Morocco, perhaps you know him? His name is Idrissi Hafid.

A Signature Style

archae — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:25:40 -0800

I want to be able to write an impressive signature, much in the style of some aristocratic 19th century English speaker. But I can't find any images collections with these kinds of signatures, in order look at them and get ideas or mimic them for my own signature. Surely the Hive-Mind knows if there's a source out there with this kind of info?

How to write ampersands by hand

dicetumbler — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:56:17 -0800

What's the proper way to write ampersands ("&") by hand? Kind of trivial question, but was wondering: what's the proper way to write ampersands, from the bottom-up or top-to-bottom? I know this used to be taught in schools along with the alphabet; what would they have said? Or was there no real consensus?

How do I physically write faster?

ajp — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:38:57 -0800

How do I physically write faster? Does anyone have any tips for how to physically write faster? So far I've been advised to try using soft pencils on good paper, but I'd be interested in other suggestions. I'd also like to reduce my chances of developing tendon irritation from all the repetitive movement of writing. I sit exams regularly, and need to write continuously and legibly for between 1 and 2 hours. This is currently killing my thumb.

I've trawled the net of course, but all my search terms seem to hit pages more targetted at approaches to creative writing.

* Are there any guidelines for how to write clearly and avoid strain injury?

* What is the perfect writing implement, given the requirements of speed and pain-avoidance? Oh, and relatively low cost :-)

* Hand-writing guides. Is there an optimum style? I suspect that "cursive" or "Nelson" handwriting is best. Are there any figures to back this up? I'm willing to put in the time required to adapt my writing style if it will pay off.

Things I am not concerned about:

* Creativity, style, etc. This is about the physical aspects of writing, not the cerebral.

* Being more concise in my essay responses. Good advice, but already taken. I'm aiming for maximum output with minimal physical effort.

* Shorthand. The writing has to be easily and clearly comprehensible by any English speaker.

Other salient points:

* I'm considering asking for extra time in the exams so I can minimise the pain.

* Exams have to be written in ink, and anything that smudges easily is likely to be out. I'd like to try a fountain pen, since I believe the nib would morph with age to complement my writing style; but I think the smudge factor rules them out.

* Anecdote is great, evidence is better!

Much obliged.

Help With Old Handwriting

marxchivist — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:19:58 -0800

Help with old / smudged handwriting on the back of a Civil War photo. Some folks at work and myself are trying to identify a Civil War soldier. Anyone want to take a stab at this guy's last name? Image here.

Pretty sure that last name starts with an M, first name Asa. Other writing is 4th NC Volunteers 1862. I've been through the rosters of the 4th and the 14th (which the first org of the 4th became) and could find no Asa. Maybe some new sets of eyes will help. This is the highest resolution of the image we have.

Picture of the guy himself here, wouldn't want to meet him on a battlefield.

Thanks!

Here's to never buying a fabricated greeting card again!

Asherah — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 23:08:22 -0800

Where can I begin to learn or practice calligraphy in Southern California? I've always been fascinated by certain forms of script/cursive writing and would like to begin lessons or a class to learn calligraphy of a certain sort. What would be my first step towards pursuing this? Recommendations for courses or instructors welcome (located in Southern California).

What the font?

jacob — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:52:39 -0800

I'm looking for a website that had users draw each letter of the alphabet with their mouse and then overlaid each drawing of a given letter on one another to create an "average" typeface that looked remarkably crisp and professional. What was the site? I'm pretty sure the site in question was put together as part of a student's research project, and I think it was featured either on Metafilter or Coudal, but I haven't been able to find it via Google.

Does anyone else recall this remarkable website?

Tablets for handwriting (not art)

lullabyofbirdland — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 06:27:31 -0800

Thinking of getting a graphics tablet to replace my keyboard as much as possible. Do I need to spring for something high-end, or are the cheaper / smaller tablets good enough to write with? I need to find ways to type less, hence the tablet idea. I won't need it for drawing, which is what most reviews I've found focus on. I just need the cheapest tablet that can give a decently comfortable writing experience for a fairly heavy workload.

Do I need anything larger than this for example? Is there any reason to go for a more expensive model like the Intuos?

Bonus points for any personal experience with handwriting recognition on unix.

WTF, gel pen?

knave — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:43:10 -0800

Gel pens: Help me learn to make them perform consistently. I have a problem writing with gel pens (and fountain pens, I think) where they appear to be working just fine, but then a couple letters don't come out at all. It frustrates the hell out of me, and I think it must be a problem with me, because I've seen other people write just fine with them. When a letter doesn't come out, I can retrace it over and over with nothing appearing on the page. But if I move an inch away, the pen will resume producing ink just fine. Then I can go back and that letter will come out normally (or, often, a little heavier than it should have come out).

How are you supposed to hold one? When I hold a pen naturally, it's at about a 15 degree angle off of vertical. Should it be more vertical, or more angled? Am I pressing too hard? Something else I haven't thought of?

I can write just fine with a ball-point pen or a pencil, it's just these "nice" pens that fail me. The non-performing strokes occur once every 5 to 10 words. Writing surface doesn't seem to matter, most recently it's a brand new, high quality notebook.

How can I learn handwriting from scratch?

comwiz — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 21:43:47 -0800

My handwriting is so bad, I should probably start completely over and re-learn how to write. How can I do this? I somehow missed learning how to write properly in elementary school, and now as a college-bound high school senior, I realize that I need to be able to write something that doesn't make me look like a 3rd grader. My handwriting is atrocious, and often receives negative comments from just about everyone who sees it. It's very inconsistent, but even at its best, most juniors highers could do much better. I haven't even learned how to hold a pen correctly, which is probably part of the problem.

How can I learn to write, mostly from scratch? I need everything: grips, strokes, styles, punctuation, etc.

What web resources and personal tips can you MeFites offer me?

Ever have your handwriting professionally analyzed?

stupidsexyFlanders — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 07:21:27 -0800

Did you ever have your handwriting analyzed by a professional graphologist? What did you learn about yourself? What does it cost? Was it worth it?

Only farmacists can read.

lorbus — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 00:41:41 -0800

Why do most doctors have sloppy handwriting? I've lived in three different continents, and doctors illegibly scribbling away has been a constant...

Is it something they are taught in med school?
Is there an unwritten rule about this?

Addressing wedding invitations...

tastybrains — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 10:10:21 -0800

How rude is it really to use a printer and a nice calligraphy or script font to print addresses on wedding invitation envelopes? I know that traditional etiquette says that you should always hand-write the addresses.

However, after writing out about half of the addresses by hand, I can't help but think that they look like absolute crap. I don't have terrible handwriting, but it looks really goofy and uneven on the envelopes.

As an experiment, I printed out a couple of sample envelopes using an elegant script font, and they look gorgeous. I want to marry the frigging envelopes, they look that good.

Also, people send their invitations to calligraphers all the time. So is printing out the addresses from my computer really that much more impersonal?

I'm not trying to be impersonal or lazy. I just want them to look good! Am I going to go to etiquette hell if I redo the envelopes from my computer? Do normal people even care?

Examples of block lettering for work and play.

lorrer — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 09:22:30 -0800

Where can I find examples of nice looking "fonts" for writing by hand, in block letters? Script? Motivated by this question.

I want better handwriting for myself, but am lacking in ideas (which is why I suck at writing in the first place). Please help by linking to any examples of highly legible, neat/tidy, and hopefully cool writing. I'm looking specifically for block lettering, but script/cursif is welcome too, just for kicks. Something that would work well on the job / for keeping records of meetings and conversations and writing letters would be great. Preferably online and printable, but a book full would be great too. Thanks, askmefi!

Better handwriting

hugo — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 05:29:31 -0800

How do I improve my handwriting? I want to improve my handwriting, specifically its consistency. I have done some research, and most sites recommend something like this: writing out a series of slashes and circles to gain confidence and control. I wonder if anyone else has experience with improving their handwriting (I'm 25), and any suggestions about techniques, workbooks, etc..

אַ סך שריפֿטן איך בעט אײַך

Gnatcho — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 13:38:45 -0800

(Free) Unicode-compatible Hebrew modern handwriting fonts That is, a font with characters like this (those in the script column). I'd be using it for Yiddish actually, but that's irrelevant. I'm on OS X 10.4.