11. A portable electronic system comprising: a processor; a bus coupled to said processor; an electronic display device coupled to said bus; a memory device coupled to said bus; and a data input device coupled to said bus and configured to provide multiple different methods of data input to the portable electronic system, said data input device comprising: a data input surface for detecting a gesture performed thereon by a user and for facilitating recognition of said gesture as corresponding to a particular data input, wherein said data input surface is responsive to a touch thereon and is spaced apart from the display device, and a user removable template having one of a plurality of marking configurations, wherein each marking configuration facilitates operating said data input surface in one of a plurality of functional configurations, wherein said user removable template is positioned over said data input surface for dividing said data input surface into a first data input area and a second data input area, wherein said first data input area is configured to facilitate recognition of one or more first gestures, and wherein said second data input area is configured to facilitate recognition of one or more second gestures associated with one of said functional configurations.
11. A portable electronic system comprising: a processor; a bus coupled to said processor; an electronic display device coupled to said bus; a memory device coupled to said bus; and a data input device coupled to said bus and configured to provide multiple different methods of data input to the portable electronic system, said data input device comprising: a data input surface for detecting a gesture performed thereon by a user and for facilitating recognition of said gesture as corresponding to a particular data input, wherein said data input surface is responsive to a touch thereon and is spaced apart from the display device, and a user removable template having one of a plurality of marking configurations, wherein each marking configuration facilitates operating said data input surface in one of a plurality of functional configurations, wherein said user removable template is positioned over said data input surface for dividing said data input surface into a first data input area and a second data input area, wherein said first data input area is configured to facilitate recognition of one or more first gestures, and wherein said second data input area is configured to facilitate recognition of one or more second gestures associated with one of said functional configurations. 18. An electronic system as recited in claim 11 wherein said electronic system comprises a personal digital assistant.