Get the most out of your palm device: tips and tricks for connecting, adjusting power usage, and finding the right applications.WHEN THE FIRST PALM was introduced in 1994, the device was an island unto itself. There were no expansion ports, no Wi-Fi add-ons, and you couldn't even connect it to a computer to load new programs. Bundled software (1) Applications that are included with new hardware. For example, a new PC often comes with several applications, many of which may be light versions or full versions with no limit on usage. Others may be only 60- or 90-day trial packages. See bundle. was geared more for scheduling and contacts than e-mail or business applications. How times have changed. The latest Palm-One Tungsten models not only connect to your computer over USB USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. 2.0 or Bluetooth, but can also connect directly to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Bundled applications let you do simple word processing word processing, use of a computer program or a dedicated hardware and software package to write, edit, format, and print a document. Text is most commonly entered using a keyboard similar to a typewriter's, although handwritten input (see pen-based computer) and tasks, browse the Web, and address business needs. The trick is figuring out how to use the extra connectivity and software to go beyond basic personal information management (PIM (1) (Protocol Independent Multicast) A multicast routing protocol endorsed by the IETF. Used in conjunction with an existing unicast routing protocol, it comes in two flavors: Dense Mode (PIM-DM) is used when recipients in the target group are in a concentrated ). Most applications let you just tap and go, but getting your Palm to perform automated tasks, maintain data integrity, or sync with Windows XP The previous client version of Windows. XP was a major upgrade to the client version of Windows 2000 with numerous changes to the user interface. XP improved support for gaming, digital photography, instant messaging, wireless networking and sharing connections to the Internet. over Bluetooth requires a little more digging. Also, the latest PalmSource operating system operating system (OS) Software that controls the operation of a computer, directs the input and output of data, keeps track of files, and controls the processing of computer programs. is a hundred times more powerful and feature-rich than the OS that shipped with the original PalmPilot. It's also more graphical and supports multi-tasking between applications. But, for some users, that makes it a hundred times more complicated. One simple check box or system setting could be just what you need to make your PIM chores easier. In this article, I share some tips and tricks for getting the most out of your Palm. Some of these tips work with older Palm models, but your mileage may vary Your mileage may vary - (Standard disclaimer attached to EPA mileage ratings by American car manufacturers) A ritual warning often found in Unix freeware distributions and elsewhere. Translates roughly as "Hey, I tried to write this portably, but who *knows* what'll happen on your system?" . For the most part, I assume you have Palm OS 5 and a Tungsten or Zire model that connects to everything under the sun (or at least to your laptop), has at least some extra storage for new programs, and comes with the core set of Palm applications. 1. Find new programs like the pros. You might think PalmSource.com is the only reliable source for new Palm utilities (which is partially true--all of the utilities listed there are approved for use on a Palm handheld, and there are thousands of them), or you have to use Palm-specific resources, such as Handango.com. The truth is some of the best products are those that suit a particular need, and one of the best places to start is Google. Type in the kind of utility you want (such as "business trip planner") and the word "Palm." You'll be surprised at the results. Quite often, specific utilities are written by a Palm user, just like you, who had a need (and some development skills). Palm-Source and Handango are great, but other sites, such as Palmgear.com and Handmark.com, are also helpful. 2. Use Bluetooth for more mobility. Macintosh users enjoy a simplified approach to Bluetooth connectivity via Apple's own iSync program. On a PC, the personal area connection requires more configuration. However, after your Palm is "talking" to your laptop, you'll find that file transfers and database syncing are much easier than a USB connection, which requires you to break out the cables just to transfer a file. To connect via Bluetooth, you first need a Bluetooth key, such as the D-Link DBT-120 PersonalAir Wireless USB The wireless version of the universal serial bus (USB). Using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, wireless USB is designed to provide the same 480 Mbits/sec data rate as USB 2.0 within two meters (6.6 ft.) or 110 Mbps within 10 meters (33 ft.). Bluetooth adapter (US$45). Windows XP will automatically recognize the device, but you still have to install the D-Link driver and use the Wireless Link control panel to add the new Bluetooth device. Many newer Palm models, such as the Tungsten T3, support Bluetooth. After you install it, you have to pair the devices, which is a simple process of typing in the same digits on both your laptop and Palm in the Wireless Link control panel. 3. Adjust the quality of your MP3 files. Most of us record tracks from a CD at the highest quality setting, usually something around 128Kbps. That means each file is about 3MB, which is rather large for most Palm handhelds, even those equipped with extra CompactFlash storage cards. In RealPlayer 10, you can automatically downsample your MP3 and Real Audio files to 96Kbps (or use an even lower bit rate) as you move them to the Palm. That means each file is closer to 1MB, but it still sounds reasonable to all but the most discerning ears. (However, on headphones Head-mounted speakers. Headphones have a strap that rests on top of the head, positioning a pair of speakers over both ears. For listening to music or monitoring live performances and audio tracks, both left and right channels are required. , anything less than 96Kbps will sound distorted.) To adjust the quality, you need to load the plug-in for RealPlayer. Tap on the Burn/Transfer tab, then select Add Device. RealPlayer prompts you to download the plug-in. After you load it, you can select the clips you want to add to your Palm. Tap "Configure a device" and select the Max Quality at which you want to transfer the files. 4. Disable To turn off; deactivate. See disabled. auto-off. If you listen to a lot of MP3 files on your Palm, or work in an environment where you need to keep the Palm running at all times, regardless of how fast you drain the batteries (e.g., when you need to run a database with a phonebook listing), you might want to download PowerNet (powernet.palmoid.com). This handy (and free) utility lets you disable the Auto Off function, disable Auto Off when you're connected to the Internet over Wi-Fi, or just dim the Palm backlight back·light n. A type of spotlight, used in photography, that illuminates a subject from behind. tr.v. back·light·ed or back·lit , back·light·ing, back·lights instead of completely shutting down. 5. Access your recently used applications. Pocket PC users aren't the only ones who can use a quick-launch toolbar A row or column of on-screen buttons used to activate functions in the application. Many toolbars are customizable, letting you add and delete buttons as required. Toolbars may be fixed in position or may float, which means they can be dragged to a more convenient location in the . Although you may miss the note in the Palm documentation, Palm OS 5 users can click and hold the Home icon to see a list of recently used applications. 6. Get a quick Graffiti tutorial. Speaking of secret features, there's another neat trick you can use to access the Graffiti tutorial anytime you need to remind yourself how to make an "R" or "F" using the stylus. Just tap and hold down the stylus in the lower right-hand corner of the screen, then move the stylus to the upper-left. 7. Do more with a SanDisk 1GB SD card. Most of the current Palm models, such as the Tungsten T, provide a CompactFlash port for adding extra storage. Although it might seem pricey, the SanDisk 1GB SD ($300) card is well worth the investment. You can add video clips and hundreds of MP3 files, and even transfer large PDF (Portable Document Format) The de facto standard for document publishing from Adobe. On the Web, there are countless brochures, data sheets, white papers and technical manuals in the PDF format. and Word files. Just about any Palm user can tell you about the frustrations involved with constantly juggling disk space. With the extra space, you can install new utilities, load hi-resolution .JPG See JPEG. jpg - JPEG photos, and record voice annotations on the Palm Tungsten without having to worry about whether it will all fit in internal memory. 8. Palm accessories for road warriors
The Road Warriors were a professional wrestling tag team famously comprised of Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis, though other members . The Palm handheld is generally more extensible than the Pocket PC, thanks to a wide assortment of PalmOne, PalmSource, and third-party accessories. PalmOne offers the Mini Cradle ($49), which takes up very little space in your laptop bag, and the Wireless Keyboard ($69) for typing longer documents while traveling. Handango and PalmGear also sell several Palm accessories ranging from stylish leather carrying cases to extra battery adapters (for home or auto). You aren't a true Palm connoisseur until you've lost your first stylus, and most Palm reseller sites offer those, too. 9. Take a break! The Palm handheld is designed to keep you organized and connected. Still, there are times when a little entertainment can help you relax (or make that New York-to-Chicago flight seem shorter). ChromaGames offers a three-in-one chess, checkers, and backgammon backgammon (băk`găm'ən, băk'găm`ən), game of chance and skill played by two persons upon a specially marked board divided by a space, called the bar, into two tables (inner table and outer table), each of which has 12 game (www.astraware.com) that's colorful and addictive. For a bit more arcade action, try SKWork's Space Combat (www.astraware.com). MegaSoft's MegaBowling is one of the best diversions around (www.megasoft2000.com). Palm-Source includes its own assortment of card games, and Sega offers a classic package (including a simplified Sonic game) at www.segamobile.com. More tips? Now you're on your way to getting the most out of your Palm device! If you have more tips for using mobile devices and technology more efficiently, you can submit them at http://Advisor.com/SubmitArticle. I look forward to seeing you tips in a future issue! MOBILE BUSINESS BENEFITS Going beyond the basics will help you get the most out of your Palm device. Here are some useful tips and tricks. Palm Applications Productivity DateBk5 Pimlico www.pimlicosoftware.com US$24.95 This supercharged su·per·charge tr.v. su·per·charged, su·per·charg·ing, su·per·charg·es 1. To increase the power of (an engine, for example), as by fitting with a supercharger. 2. calendar application brings functionality you don't even get in some desktop calendar programs. DateBk5 uses the same databases as the built-in applications, so it's compatible with your existing desktop and conduit software. Requires 650KB RAM Palm OS 5/4x/3x/2x Document Viewing RepliGo 2.0 Cerience Corporation www.cerience.com US$29.95 RepliGo translates almost any desktop document or printable information into content for use on PDAs and smartphones. You can automatically convert bookmarks, comments, and hyperlinks from popular desktop formats such as Microsoft Office Microsoft's primary desktop applications for Windows and Mac. Depending on the package, it includes some combination of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook along with various Internet and other utilities. and Adobe PDF documents. You can also add personal bookmarks, notes, and highlighted text, as well as search text. Requires 490KB RAM Palm OS 5 Business Travel ExpenseLog PRO 2.0 TrajectoryLabs www.trajectorylabs.com US$9.95 ExpenseLog PRO is a full-featured professional expense tracking and reporting program for the Palm. You get an expense tracker, mileage tracker, and a currency converter. Requires 64KB RAM Palm OS 5 Document Editing Documents To Go 6 DataViz www.dataviz.com US$29.95 for the Standard version, which supports Microsoft Word A full-featured word processing program for Windows and the Macintosh from Microsoft. Included in the Microsoft application suite, it is a sophisticated program with rudimentary desktop publishing capabilities that has become the most widely used word processing application on the market. and Excel. US$49.95 for the Premium version, which supports Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook e-mail, Adobe PDF, spell checker A separate program or word processing function that tests for correctly spelled words. It can test the spelling of a marked block, an entire document or group of documents. Advanced systems check for spelling as the user types and can correct common typos and misspellings on the fly. , and password protection. US$69.95 for DataViz Office, which offers all the features of the other two versions, plus Outlook Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Notes. Documents To Go lets you create, view, and edit documents on your handheld and synchronize them back to your desktop when you return to the office. Requires 1.75MB RAM Palm OS 5/4/3.5 Messaging VeriChat 1.93 PDAapps www.pdaapps.com US$24.95 Get unified instant messaging Exchanging text messages in real time between two or more people logged into a particular instant messaging (IM) service. Instant messaging is more interactive than e-mail because messages are sent immediately, whereas e-mail messages can be queued up in a mail server for seconds or for your Palm device. This product supports Yahoo!, ICQ ("I Seek You") A conferencing program for the Internet from Mirabilis, Tel Aviv, Israel (www.icq.com). It provides interactive chat, e-mail and file transfer and can alert you when someone on your predefined list has also come online. , AOL Instant Messenger See AIM. (AIM), and MSN (1) (MicroSoft Network) A family of Internet-based services from Microsoft, which includes a search engine, e-mail (Hotmail), instant messaging (Windows Live Messaging) and a general-purpose portal with news, information and shopping (MSN Directory). Instant Messenger AOL's instant messaging service. See AIM and instant messaging. ; it also works on both Palm OS smartphones and Palm PDAs equipped with a Internet connection and paging address. Requires 80KB of RAM Palm OS 5 Business Travel WorldMate 2004 MobiMate www.mobimate.com US$69.95 WorldMate gives you weather forecasts from The Weather Channel, multi-zone clocks, time calculator, a currency/ size/measurement converter, international codes, and an alarm clock. You also get up-to-date worldwide flight schedule information updated via the Internet. Requires 660KB RAM Palm OS 5/4/3.5 Utility BackupMan Bits 'n Bolts www.bitsnbolts.com US$10 BackupMan is an easy-to-use tool for "set it and forget it" backups. You always have a recent copy of your data on-hand in the event of an accidental deletion, errant program crashing, or even a complete hard reset To restore a smartphone or PDA to its factory settings, which erases all applications that were installed by the user as well as all user data. In contrast, a "hard boot," also known as a "cold boot," which is performed on a computer, does not eliminate data and software, except for data of your handheld. Offers up to 10MB-per-minute backup speed. Requires storage card Palm OS 5/4/3.5 Utility 2xCalc 5.3.4 Laura Watts shop.store.yahoo.com/pilotgearsw /laurawatts.html US$14.50 2xCalc is a calculator and universal converter. It converts currency, mass, temperature, distance, etc. Currency rates are refreshed every week via the Internet. Requires 650KB RAM Palm OS 5 John Brandon is a freelance writer from Buffalo, Minnesota Buffalo is a city in Wright County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 10,097 at the 2000 census, and the city has experienced rapid growth since that time. It is the county seat of Wright County 6. . Before starting his writing career, he worked as an IT manager with a large consumer electronics retailer. His areas of expertise include handheld computers, notebooks, smartphones, wireless technology, displays, and any other computer-oriented device. jbrandonbb@hotmail.com. |
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