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 usage.
Rechargeable
Palm 2-6 weeks, Windows PC
PC HotSync via: Serial cradle. USB cradle (much Beaming - PDA
faster)
IR
PDA, can transfer programs and files over short 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 Sync cables Carrying Cases Stylus
Modules Digital Camera GPS Cell Phone FAX Modem Games
Keyboards
Standard Applications
Calendar Graffiti Mail Preferences Security
(DateBook) Address Book To-Do List Memo Notepad (4k limit) Expenses Calculator
Sync
CityTime Games
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/ HackMaster - Hack interface program, needed to manage and run hacks (OS Extensions)
AsciiHack SymbolHack MultiClipHack SwitchHack PopUpNames Phlegm Hack Many Others Available
PC Desktop Palm Software
Desktop Software Some Palm apps have
Does: Calendar Address Book Memo NotePad To-Do Expenses
special “sync conduits”.
Palm OS Emulator
runs on PC and allows you to try programs 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