Personal Digital Assistants
What is it?
Small basic handheld programmable computer ~ 3x5x3/4" in size,
light weight (4-8 oz), battery operated.
Screen resolution = 160x160 pixels, more on new models.
Prices range from ~ $125 - $1000
OS includes Calendar (Date Book), Address Book, To-Do List,
Memo Pad & Calculator functions.
Palm Pilot 1st really successful model.
Came into it's own with the Palm III series.
Thousands of programs available from mfgr's & 3rd parties (usually
cheap $5 - $30, specialized programs can be much more).
Why?
Small, convenient, easy to use, easy to update and
edit (using graffiti or a built-in keyboard).
More convenient than a “DayTimer” Notebook.
Internet Connection via Modem, Wireless or PC
Conduit.
Who Uses One?
Anybody who has a need for the basic apps.
Real estate agents, insurance agents, Dr's, nurses, med
students, salesmen, military, engineers, students, teachers,
administrators, IT professionals, travelers, writers, lawyers,
law enforcement, etc.
Inventory, kitchen , e-books, sports.
In short, anyone who has a need to carry information in a
convenient form that’s easy to use, small, lightweight and
easy to update.
E-Books
Manufacturers
Palm Pilot 1000 - 1st really successful device (1996)
Palm III and clones - IBM, Symbol, QualComm, TRG (1998)
Handspring - Licensed Palm OS and added “SpringBoard” slot.
(1999)
HP/Compaq - Uses “Pocket PC” Windows OS
Sharp - Uses LINUX OS (2002)
Sony
Toshiba
RIM
Others
Operating System
Palm OS - 3.x, 4.x, 5.x - Works well and
efficiently with small handheld devices.
Pocket PC Windows CE - Resource and power
hungry.
Embedded LINUX OS - Unix operating system.
Power
AAA Batteries - 2-6 Battery Life -
weeks depending on Palm 2-6 weeks,
usage.
Windows PC
PC HotSync via: Beaming - PDA
Serial cradle. PDA, can
USB cradle (much transfer programs
faster) and files over short
IR
distances.
Features
Gray Scale/Color.
Memory (0.5, 1, 2, 8, 16, 64 MB).
Resolution (160x160, 320x240 pixels).
Programmable buttons
Expansion - Memory/Accessories.
Thumb boards - on some newer models.
Expansion Accessories
Memory/Backup Rechargers
Modules Sync cables
Digital Camera Carrying Cases
GPS Stylus
Cell Phone Keyboards
FAX
Modem
Games
Standard Applications
Calendar Graffiti
(DateBook) Mail
Address Book Preferences
To-Do List Security
Memo Notepad (4k Sync
limit) CityTime
Expenses
Games
Calculator
Freeware Applications
AvantGo - News & Info prog, requires internet
connection
HandyShopper - DataBase
BigClock - Clock/Timer
EasyCalc - Programmable Calculator
DateWheel - Date Calculator
Currency - Currency Converter
Progect - Outliner
RiseSet - Sun/Moon Rise/Set
Diddle - Sketching Program
Shareware Applications
CplxCalPro - Programmable graphing calculator
FireViewer - Image Viewer
Launch'em - File Organizer/Launcher
Planetarium
Mapopolis - Map Program
SmartDoc - Doc Reader
TealPaint - Paint Program
PocketC - Programming Language
HotPaw Basic - Programming Language
Commercial Applications
Backup Buddy - Backs up everything to PC
WordSmith - Text Editor
MiniCalc - SpreadSheet
HanDBase - DataBase
MobileDB - DataBase
ThinkDB - DataBase
TealInfo - DataBase
Hacks - OS Extensions
Xmaster/ AsciiHack
HackMaster - Hack SymbolHack
interface program, MultiClipHack
needed to manage and
SwitchHack
run hacks (OS
Extensions) PopUpNames
Phlegm Hack
Many Others
Available
PC Desktop Palm Software
Desktop Software Some Palm apps have
Does: special “sync
Calendar conduits”.
Address Book
Memo NotePad Palm OS Emulator
To-Do
runs on PC and allows
you to try programs
Expenses
without first installing
on your PDA.
Software Sources
Manufacturers - (Palm, Handspring, etc)
PalmGear - http://www.palmgear.com/
Handango - http://www.handango.com/
PalmOpenSource - http://www.palmopensource.com/
VersionTracker - http://www.versiontracker.com/palmos/
FreeWarePalm - http://www.freewarepalm.com/
Memoware - http://www.memoware.com/ - E-Books &
Reference Material
Other Resources
Palm - http://www.palm.com/
Handspring - http://www.handspring.com/
Sharp - http://www.myzaurus.com/
PalmInfoCenter - http://www.palminfocenter.com/
PalmZone - http://www.palmzone.net/
PalmBoulevard - http://www.palmblvd.com/
PDAStreet - http://www.pdastreet.com/
PalmLoyal - http://www.palmloyal.com/
PalmTipSheet - http://www.palmtipsheet.com/
ZDNetShopper - http://zdnetshopper.cnet.com/shopping/0-11013-
1410-0-0.html&cobrand=29 - Palm device comparison pages
What’s Next?
Always on, always connected, multipurpose
palm size device that does palm-like apps, cell
phone, pager, text messaging, e-mail, digital
camera, gps, mp3 player, web browser, etc &
costs <= $999.99.
Personal Digital Assistants
Presented by Josh Cockey
webmaster@fpcug.org
August 8th, 2002