How do I assess a PDA?

Post #186,875 by Nightowl 12/13/04 12:01:15 PM Reply	How do I assess a PDA? I've been looking at different PDAs lately and trying to figure out which ones are compatible with Access or not, or if any of them have their own data base software that I could use to create and store a database on one. When I read what they can do, I don't get enough information to tell me whether they can do this or not. Basically, I want to create an updatable list on a PDA and save it there and have it accessible away from the main computer. Does anyone know how I can tell this from the information provided in the store ads, or is there a way to research the PDA's online individually? The other problem is many say they use Blue Tooth technology, and I admit I don't know what that is. Would appreciate any help, thanks. Brenda "It's not where a person stands in time of comfort and security, but rather where they stand in times of strife and controversy that determine true friends." (Quote sent to me by a true friend, author unknown).
Post #186,884 by daemon 12/13/04 1:50:48 PM Reply	have you looked at these? [link\|http://www.davidco.com/tips_tools/tip25.html\|http://www.davidco.c..._tools/tip25.html] balance that against the cost of a pda and the pain in the butt of typing on that bitty keyboard with a pencil erasor you might prefer the above, I do. regards, daemon that way too many Iraqis conceived of free society as little more than a mosh pit with grenades. ANDISHEH NOURAEE clearwater highschool marching band [link\|http://www.chstornadoband.org/\|http://www.chstornadoband.org/]
Post #186,887 by bepatient 12/13/04 2:26:55 PM Reply	size matters I carried and used paper based for years. It was effective, yet very large. Get same effectiveness from the palm-based treo/outlook combo I use now. If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. _{Fudd's First Law of Opposition} [link\|mailto:bepatient@aol.com\|BePatient]
Post #186,893 by Nightowl 12/13/04 3:48:03 PM 12/13/04 3:49:23 PM Reply	Paper Organization That's the way I've been doing it for a long time. However, the list has grown to over 1400 entries, and carrying around a notebook with a 64 page database has gotten tiresome. Not to mention that we print it on the Epson dot-matrix printer to save ink and expensive paper, and it takes a long long long time to print, and is not convenient to do often. I was hoping to input the list into a handheld PDA of sorts and be able to access it and maybe hopefully, sort it by alphabet while out and about. My friend Andrew said that it didn't have to have the capability of dealing with Word or Access, that I could save the Word or Access file as a txt file and transfer it to the PDA. Edit: He also said I didn't have to use Outlook, (which I don't), but I could input my calendar and alarm entries manually myself, and they would still function like I would want them to. I'm currently examining the Palmone Zire 31 handheld PDA, which Andrew says would handle my database problem as well as give me a to do list, a calendar, and a notepad, which are the other three things that matter to me. Photos and music don't really matter, so I'm not concerned about those. Does anyone here use the Zire 31, and is it any good? Also is Graffitti hard to learn? I also prefer a tiny keyboard as opposed to using the stylus, but I suspect I don't have the money to afford that. Thanks for your input. Brenda "It's not where a person stands in time of comfort and security, but rather where they stand in times of strife and controversy that determine true friends." (Quote sent to me by a true friend, author unknown). Edited by Nightowl Dec. 13, 2004, 03:49:23 PM EST Expand All History
Post #186,896 by Another Scott 12/13/04 4:01:08 PM Reply	Some options. Hi, I was hoping to input the list into a handheld PDA of sorts and be able to access it and maybe hopefully, sort it by alphabet while out and about. My friend Andrew said that it didn't have to have the capability of dealing with Word or Access, that I could save the Word or Access file as a txt file and transfer it to the PDA. There are PalmOS viewers/editors that understand MS Office files. Sony Clie' devices usually come with them. E.g. [link\|http://www.dataviz.com/products/documentstogo/index.html\|Documents to Go] - the Pro version claims to work with Access. There are other options as well - you'll have to look around. Check [link\|http://www.palmgear.com\|Palmgear] for a listing a lot of what's available for PalmOS. If you don't want to learn Graffiti, you don't have to. A "virtual" keyboard is also available on the PalmOS device - you hunt and peck with the stylus. But if you really want to do extensive editing of the files on the PalmOS device, you'll probably want a real plug-in keyboard. That may limit the type of device you can get (most of them are for Palm devices, not Sony, etc.) Or you can do all of your editing on a PC, download the updated file during a HotSync operation, and use the PalmOS device as a viewer/transfer/minor change device. HTH. Cheers, Scott. (Who uses the hunt-and-peck and doesn't have an external keyboard.)
Post #186,895 by altmann 12/13/04 3:59:42 PM Reply	PDA databases If your lists are simple (just rows and columns) Pocket PC based PDAs come with Pocket Excel. There is no "Pocket Access", but here are some alternatives, again for the Pocket PC: [link\|http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/3358\|http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/3358] I don't have any experience with the progams listed in that article, except for the Palm OS version of HanDBase, which I once briefly tested. It seemed adequate for basic data entry forms and such. Palm OS has this (and possibly others): [link\|http://www.1000files.com/HandHandles_Software/Productivity_and_Business/Database_Viewer_Plus_Access_Excel_Oracle_11189_Review.html\|http://www.1000files...11189_Review.html] Palm OS stores data much like a database, so I'd imagine this product synchronizes your desktop Access database with a file in the internal Palm database. Bluetooth is a short range wireless technology. For a PDA its primary use would be to sync with a PC. For cell phones, it can be used for things like wireless headsets. I think it can also be used to allow a PDA (or laptop) to use a Bluetooth capable cell phone to access the Internet. It is also used for wireless keyboards and mice. You would need a bluetooth adapter for your PC (or built in) to talk to a Bluetooth device like a PDA or cell phone. -- Chris Altmann
Post #186,897 by Nightowl 12/13/04 4:05:34 PM Reply	Thanks! If your lists are simple (just rows and columns) Pocket PC based PDAs come with Pocket Excel. They are. That sounds great! There is no "Pocket Access", but here are some alternatives, again for the Pocket PC: [link\|http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/3358\|http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/3358] I don't have any experience with the progams listed in that article, except for the Palm OS version of HanDBase, which I once briefly tested. It seemed adequate for basic data entry forms and such. Palm OS has this (and possibly others): [link\|http://www.1000files.com/HandHandles_Software/Productivity_and_Business/Database_Viewer_Plus_Access_Excel_Oracle_11189_Review.html\|http://www.1000files...11189_Review.html] Palm OS stores data much like a database, so I'd imagine this product synchronizes your desktop Access database with a file in the internal Palm database. Thanks! I'll check those links out too. :) Bluetooth is a short range wireless technology. For a PDA its primary use would be to sync with a PC. For cell phones, it can be used for things like wireless headsets. I think it can also be used to allow a PDA (or laptop) to use a Bluetooth capable cell phone to access the Internet. It is also used for wireless keyboards and mice. You would need a bluetooth adapter for your PC (or built in) to talk to a Bluetooth device like a PDA or cell phone. So I wouldn't need Bluetooth for what I want to do. That really helps my options. Appreciate your input! Brenda "It's not where a person stands in time of comfort and security, but rather where they stand in times of strife and controversy that determine true friends." (Quote sent to me by a true friend, author unknown).
Post #186,946 by SpiceWare 12/13/04 9:25:05 PM 12/13/04 9:27:38 PM Reply	Another alternative The [link\|http://www.apple.com/ipod/\|iPod]. Seriously. (edit) - well maybe not, depends if your "updatable" means "edit on the PDA". [link\|http://www.apple.com/ipod/musicandmore.html\|Music & More] Where Am I at 2 p.m. Tuesday? If you\ufffdve ever forgotten a dental appointment, you\ufffdll be pleased to hear that iPod also lets you take your calendar with you. Many applications \ufffd iCal, Microsoft Entourage and Palm Desktop, to name a few \ufffd export calendar files in vCalendar or iCalendar formats, both of which iPod supports. Sorry, Wrong Number Little black address books are so last millennium. Thanks to its support for industry-standard vCard files, iPod lets you store and access all your important contact information \ufffd names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses \ufffd with the spin of a Click Wheel. Store Text Notes You\ufffdve got playlists. You\ufffdve got To-do Lists. And you can carry both with you on iPod. iPod\ufffds Notes Reader lets you take text-based information such as news downloaded off the web, stock tips, your workout regimen, restaurant reviews, directions, your shopping list with you on your travels. Just transfer it via FireWire or USB 2.0 to iPod from your computer (Mac or PC). The only limitation is you cannot edit the data on the iPod. Darrell Spice, Jr. [link\|http://www.spiceware.org/cgi-bin/spa.pl?album=./Artistic%20Overpass\|Artistic Overpass]\n[link\|http://www.spiceware.org/\|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore Edited by SpiceWare Dec. 13, 2004, 09:27:38 PM EST Expand All History
Post #186,953 by Nightowl 12/13/04 10:47:07 PM Reply	Thanks for the suggestion However, I've almost decided on getting the Palmone Zire 31 PDA. I've researched it and Andrew did also, plus John examined the specs and stuff on it, and it seems like it will do the job fine. :) I'd prefer to be able to edit it on the PDA, so the Ipod wouldn't be the best choice. :) Thanks everyone for all your help! :) Brenda "It's not where a person stands in time of comfort and security, but rather where they stand in times of strife and controversy that determine true friends." (Quote sent to me by a true friend, author unknown).

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