1. A computer-implemented method of training a computer to recognize a computer user's handwriting comprising the steps of: (a) receiving handwriting samples of at least one character written by the user, the samples comprising at least one sample of the character being provided as the beginning character among a plurality of other characters, at least one sample of the character being provided in the middle of a plurality of other of characters, and at least one sample of the letter being provided as the ending character among a plurality of characters; (b) extracting a plurality of control points from the samples, wherein the control points represent the shape of the character; (c) determining the vertical position of the character in relation to a baseline comprising the step of determining the distance from the bottom of the character to a baseline; and (d) normalizing the at least one sample of at least one character