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 thats 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 weeks depending on usage. Rechargeable Batteries - 1-3 weeks. Cradle recharge for rechargeable models.

Battery Life Palm 2-6 weeks, Windows <= 1 week.

Hot Syncing - PDA <=> PC

PC HotSync via: Serial cradle. USB cradle (much faster) IR Beaming - PDA <=> 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 Modules Digital Camera GPS Cell Phone FAX Modem Games Rechargers Sync cables Carrying Cases Stylus Keyboards

Standard Applications
Calendar (DateBook) Address Book To-Do List Memo Notepad (4k limit) Expenses Calculator Graffiti Mail Preferences Security 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 Does: Calendar Address Book Memo NotePad To-Do Expenses Some Palm apps have 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/0-110131410-0-0.html&cobrand=29 - Palm device comparison pages

Whats 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