Possible Input method -- press and drag

[Robin Paulson]

On 03/10/2007, Derek Pressnall <dpressnall at gmail.com> wrote:
> The idea is to present a graphic that is similar to a standard phone
> keypad layout, with standard lettering and number positions.  To enter
> a specific letter, you touch the button associated with that letter
> and drag your finger/stylus in a particular direction to indicate
> which letter to choose. For example, to enter an "a", press the number
> 2, then drag to the left and release.  A "b" would be "press 2, drag
> upwards and release", and a "c" would be "press 2, drag right then
> release".  And so on.  To enter the number 2, just press and release
> without dragging.  To be easily usable, the method shouldn't require
> you to drag completely off the button, but should also require a
> minimum drag length.
>
> What does everyone think about the usability of this type of method?
> Once I get up to speed on GTK programming, I can take a stab at it,
> but it may be a bit before I get time for it.  So if someone else
> wants to give it a shot, go ahead.

i think this has been done already, sort of. see:

http://www.micropp.se/openmoko/