37. A touch system comprising: a touch panel having a touch surface; a device for generating an image that is presented on said touch surface; and computing structure executing at least one program and being coupled to said touch panel and said device, said computing structure being responsive to output generated by said touch panel in response to proximity of a pointing device to said touch surface and updating image data conveyed to said device so that images presented on said touch surface reflect the activity of said pointing device, said computing structure executing a routine to detect when a stationary pointing device contact on said touch surface that exceeds a first non-zero threshold duration occurs and in response updating the image data to signify visually the start of a potential input gesture entry, to determine when a gesture is made via interaction of said pointing device with said touch surface following said updating, to display visual feedback signifying recognition of said gesture, in response to said gesture to convert handwritten input drawn on said touch surface into a form suitable for said at least one program, and to enter the handwritten input into said at least one program substantially at a position indicated by said gesture upon selection of the result.
37. A touch system comprising: a touch panel having a touch surface; a device for generating an image that is presented on said touch surface; and computing structure executing at least one program and being coupled to said touch panel and said device, said computing structure being responsive to output generated by said touch panel in response to proximity of a pointing device to said touch surface and updating image data conveyed to said device so that images presented on said touch surface reflect the activity of said pointing device, said computing structure executing a routine to detect when a stationary pointing device contact on said touch surface that exceeds a first non-zero threshold duration occurs and in response updating the image data to signify visually the start of a potential input gesture entry, to determine when a gesture is made via interaction of said pointing device with said touch surface following said updating, to display visual feedback signifying recognition of said gesture, in response to said gesture to convert handwritten input drawn on said touch surface into a form suitable for said at least one program, and to enter the handwritten input into said at least one program substantially at a position indicated by said gesture upon selection of the result. 38. A touch system according to claim 37 wherein said visual feedback is at least one possible text representation of the handwritten input.