Oxford Papershow Digital Pen Bluetooth Accessory for Writing Kit Ref 10701

This PaperShow Digital Pen is only part of what you need to use the very useful PaperShow presentation and whiteboarding system. This pen is also included in the PaperShow Starter Kit Includes Notepad A4 (48 Sheets), 8.5 X 11 Inches Printer Paper (30 Sheets), Digital Pen, PS USB Key and Accessory items that also includes the required USB Key, proprietary paper (both Note Pad and Printer Sheets), and miscellaneous accessories. There are full reviews of the PaperShow system on the starter kit product page, but here is a brief synopsis from my review specific to the Digital Pen:

I give a lot of presentations and PowerPoint based training, so I was really excited when this very cool gadget came in. Here are my observations -

Installation - All of the software is contained on the USB Key (which is NOT included with this Digital Pen). I did have trouble with my first attempt to install the device on my 64 bit Vista laptop and had no luck reaching the PaperShow tech support (no phone number, just able to post a question after registering on the web site). I then successfully installed it using a regular Vista (32 bit) desktop and was able to then use it on the original laptop without any problems (likely because the software also runs from USB Key). It did connect back to the PaperShow site over my Internet connection during the installation process.

Usage:
The two main modes are -
"Whiteboard" - Using paper from the Proprietary Note Pad, you can draw freehand with the pen and, using the control icons printed on the right side of the paper, you can change the line size and color, and draw perfect Arrows, Ovals (circles), and Rectangles (squares). You can also virtually erase anything you draw off the screen, but since it is actually written on the page this can be confusing when it starts to get cluttered.

"Presentation" - This allows a MS PowerPoint presentation to be imported in to the PaperShow format and gives you the option to save onto the Flash Drive. Once the presentation is imported, the program will ask you if you want to print it on the PaperShow proprietary paper. When running the presentation it works just like the "Whiteboard" mode, adding the ability to navigate through the presentation using the control icons on the right side of the paper. This mode also supports sound and video embedded in the presentation, which was very useful for me.

* One note on a very practical use of this tool, I work from home most of the time and do a lot of online collaboration sessions with other engineers. Both modes work very well when you are "sharing" your desktop.

Pros:
Works very well, once installed

Cons:
Bulky Pen - Likely unavoidable due to the embedded optics that read the position on the paper

Recommended, with the caveats listed above. This PaperShow system is great for those who love gadgets (including me), just be sure you are get everything you need, either from the kit or separately.