Applications for Tablet PCs

I was recently asked about using the Microsoft Experience Pack for Tablet PC and the Microsoft Education Pack for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition on a system running Windows Vista. These two packs provide a handful of tools and toys that exploit the capabilities of a Tablet PC. The question came up because of the desire of an experienced user of a Tablet PC running Windows XP to continue using the programs when he moves to Windows Vista, which includes Tablet PC support in all editions except Home Basic.

I haven’t tried installing the XP-vintage Tablet PC apps on my Vista tablet. Instead, I downloaded/installed the Microsoft Experience Pack for Windows Vista. It comprises four programs from the XP Experience Pack and Education Pack. I’ve identified them below with an asterisk, and included a few other notes about Vista availability:

Microsoft Experience Pack for Tablet PC
- Ink Desktop (available as separate download, Microsoft Ink Desktop for Windows Vista)
- Snipping Tool (included in all Vista editions)
- Ink Art
- Media Transfer *
- Ink Crossword *
- Energy Blue Theme Pack
Microsoft Education Pack for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
- Equation Writer *
- GoBinder Lite by Agilix Labs, Inc.
- Hexic Deluxe for Tablet PC
- Ink Flash Cards *
- Send to Microsoft Office OneNote 2003

This isn’t exactly news; these two downloads became available shortly after the January release of Windows Vista. But if you’re just taking the Vista plunge, perhaps you’re unaware of these useful, fun, and free downloads.