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User Tips and Tools
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Palm is PalmOne is Palm 
On July 14th, Palm rebranded (again).
http://www.palm.com/us/company/pr/news_feed_story.epl?reqid=730017
Without belaboring this point,
the above link goes into the detail.
HackFinder v1.0 (freeware)
http://www.79bmedia.com/hackfinder/
http://www.79bmedia.de/download/hackfinder.zip
This tool finds "hacks" (which are Palm applications calls, that are altered by 3rd party developers -- usually for "The Good") within applications. Running HackFinder and pressing Scan will generate a MemoPad document of the hacks found within your PDA applications, if any.
HackFinder
| a Note to Developers |
| Applications that call the Palm function SysSetTrapAddress, which is used to extend or replace a Palm API call will be shown, along with the call being replaced.
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For more on hacks, you should also see this page:
Everything about Hacks
http://www.79bmedia.de/content/view/14/38/
IgtEditor v1.23.88 (freeware) 
http://www.fannsoftware.com/lgtEditorFull.zip
As always, we are on the hunt for tools that can facilitate "Mobile Development". Tools that allow you to fill in gaps of time on trains, planes or automobiles, when you would like to get things done; but don't feel like schlepping along the 'ol Laptop bag.
Don't let the version number scare you, IgtEditor is fairly simple HTML editor for the Pocket PC.
You can work with HTML tags and and preview the results in Pocket Internet Explorer.
This version lets you edit script files, such as .ASP, .ASPX and .JSx. Requires Pocket PC 2002, or Windows Mobile 2003.
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IgtEditor
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CNET Reviews 
http://reviews.cnet.com/Handhelds/2001-3127_7-0.html?tag=ft
CNET is one of the best PDA review sites around, and have been for quite some time. You can search for options within price lines, product lines or by features. Detailed reviews of most handheld devices can be found here as well.
For a recent example, see the Editor's Top Picks review from May (http://reviews.cnet.com/4521-6522_7-5021304-1.html?tag=prmo1).
ListDB (freeware)
http://www.magma.ca/~roo/list/list.html
This tool is for ANY user, who would like to be able to create and manage small lists on their own. ListDB includes a Windows tool (and a Linux tool) to create PalmOS pdbs from flat text files. These PDBs can then be read (and edited) on the PDA, using the supplied PDA tool.
ListDB
The included Windows program listdb.exe (listdb.lnx, Linux) takes a simple ascii (text) file as input, as shown below. Running this line will create the PDB, which can be viewed using List on the Palm:
listdb -c test.pdb test.txt
test.txt
~~~~~~
databasename,customfield1,customfield2,category1,category2
category1,field1data,field2data,notedata
UPDATES AND PATCHES (hardware and/or software)
Universal Wireless keyboard driver v1.08, for LifeDrive and Tungsten E2
http://www.palm.com/us/support/downloads/universal_wireless_keyboard.html
Here is the link to the driver, sans some unnecessary marketing pop-up baloney.
What v1.08 fixes
- Adds Tungsten E2 and LifeDrive compatibility.
- Tungsten T3: addresses incompatibility issues between the drivers for the Wi-Fi Card by Palm and the Universal Wireless Keyboard drivers.
- Tungsten T3: resolves conflicts with some 3rd party applications.
- Zire 71: addresses camera preview refresh issues.
Firefox 1.0.6 (Windows, OSX, Linux) has been released
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/all.html
In the "SORRY, BUT JUST HAVE TO SHOW YOU THIS" category.
BS Meter (freeware)
http://www.geek-to-go.com/bull2.html
BS-o-Matic
BS-o-Matic, well it just helps you to come up with words when you need them. You can generate impressive strings of "BS" with the tap of a button. Or, to state the developers' claims directly:
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"Never again be at a loss for words when the Boss asks for your opinion -- even if you have a monster hangover and a working braincell is about as scarce as a feminist in the Taliban..."
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There are even specialized versions for Sports and Art-related words.
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Development Tips and Tools
(Sites with content most valuable to developers)
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How to write unmaintainable code
(or, How to keep your job for life :-)
http://www.strauss.za.com/sla/code_std.html
If you develop, you'll want to read this one, which we think | hope is largely tongue-in-cheek -- but is still right on the money. An example of the content found at this site is:
"Much of the skill in writing unmaintainable code is the art of naming variables and methods. They don't matter at all to the compiler. That gives you huge latitude to use them to befuddle the maintenance programmer.
New Uses For Names For Baby
Buy a copy of a baby naming book and you'll never be at a loss for variable names. Fred is a wonderful name, and easy to type. If you're looking for easy-to-type variable names, try adsf or aoeu if you type with a DSK keyboard.
Single Letter Variable Names
If you call your variables a, b, c, then it will be impossible to search for instances of them using a simple text editor. Further, nobody will be able to guess what they are for. If anyone even hints at breaking the tradition honoured since FØRTRAN of using i, j, and k for indexing variables, namely replacing them with ii, jj and kk, warn them about what the Spanish Inquisition did to heretics.
[use] Creative Miss-spelling..."
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Pelles C v3.0.0 (freeware)
http://www.smorgasbordet.com/pellesc/
This one should make it worthwhile for Pocket PC developers to have read to this point alone. Pelles C is a Windows-based Win32 and Pocket PC development IDE. Pelles C supports C in an integrated, easy to use, and well-supported IDE environment. There is also a full C99 language reference within the overall very well-done, help file.
Pelles C
Pelles C supports the current international C standard (ISO C99); which is generally the same as ANSI C (X3.159-1989). As you can see in the graphic above, there are a number of useful features, designed to work the way you would expect (hope?) they should.
McColors (freeware)
http://mikemccollister.com/palm/McColors.prc
http://www.mikemccollister.com/palm/#McColors
A tool for Developers (and power user) who want to be able to show users/managers a list of colors to pick from, directly from the device itself. Trust us, this is better than saying "which Blue do you prefer?" over the phone or via email...
OS3.5+
 
McColors
DTSysView v1.5.55 (freeware)
http://www.fannsoftware.com/DTSysViewFull.zip
Another tool from FannSoftware -- DTSysView is a system monitor and task manager.
Features:
Task manager (show all running apps; close all feature)
Memory display (program memory, RAM storage usage, and up to 2 memory card usages)
Power display (main and backup battery)
Create Start Menu shortcuts
Pocket PC 2002, Windows Mobile 2003, or Windows Mobile 2003 SE.
DTSysView
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FO News
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Web | PDA survey tools 1.0
FO announces PDA tools integrated with our already-existing online survey tools. In addition to being able to enter (and view) data submitted through online browsers, our clients can set up PDA versions to use wirelessly in the field as well. Venues such as amusement parks and sporting events can now be easily covered; with the data that is captured being entered only once (and on the spot).
The PDA tools include the ability to capture consumer voice responses and to send that information to the server via email. Of course, our standard PDA features such as the ability to capture consumer signatures and heavy usage of pulldowns and compressed comment areas are available as well.
For more information contact us.
Web/PDA surveys
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Reviews - Palm LifeDrive
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by William McFarland
My first Palm was a Palm Pilot Professional, then I moved to a IIIc and then
to the Sony Clie NR70V.
My wonderful wife bought me a LifeDrive on June 25
and I really love it. I am glad I moved up from the Clie but I do
miss the keyboard (I am getting one of the Palm wireless keyboard soon), but
love everything else, I'm even getting use to Graffiti 2 (k is the hardest
letter for me). I do think the battery life is very good, I have yet to drop
below 75% capacity in a day and I will use WiFi, look at movies, read eBooks
and other general uses.
The screen is wonderful and I love the WiFi. There is the reported lag but
it is not too annoying and you can always get SharkCache to speed things up.
Initially I had some stability issues. Some of the problems were because it
appears that SharkCache and Handbase don't play well together (this has been
the only cause of a hard reset for me so far). I have turned off Handbase in
SharkCache and it has been stable. I do have a "disappearing" database
problem that I have been working with DDH to solve but I think that is a
database problem not a LifeDrive problem. Repligo DOESN'T work on the
LifeDrive, I got lots of soft resets (though I have seen others claim that
it works fine). I contracted the developers and was told that they are in
the process of trying to find a fix. Another problem I have found is some
popups in DateBk5 will cause a soft reset. Other wise the program works
fine, and as I rarely, if ever, uses those popups it is of little concern to
me, plus the developer is passionate about making his program work I am sure
that this will be fixed soon.
These are the programs I regularly use and how they fare:
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SharkCache: | Very good and does speed up the apps. I recommend testing any
app for a while before you put it in Locked Cache. |
| DateBk5: | Good, some problems with link popups (see above). |
| Handbase: | Don't put in SharkCache, otherwise great. |
| Bonsai: | Works great. |
| MyBible 4: | Very sweet. |
| iSilo: | No problems. |
| TealPhone: | Works fine. |
| BDicty: | Works fine. |
| MiniCalc: | Works fine. |
| MSDict: | Works fine. |
| NeoCal: | Works fine. |
| TCPMP: | Much better than the standard media player and free. |
I used to use Quickword but had not upgraded beyond version 6. So far I find
DocsToGo to be adequate.
Some people have reported problems with VersaMail and the bundled browser
but I have not had a problem.
There is some concern with the hard drive not being as rugged as the older
devices, but I did fall down some stairs with the LifeDrive in my hands
(nothing broken thank you) and the slipcase got banged up but the LifeDrive
was fine. So if you are careful I think things will be fine. Another issue
people have brought up is the size, it is big, but to me it is not too bad.
It is shorter than my Clie and only a little thicker.
I am enjoying it and glad I upgraded.
Bill
38 43' 41" N 77 28' 51" W
ADDITIONAL LIFEDRIVE REVIEWS
A LIST of review sites
http://www.1src.com/?m=show&id=1052
BargainPDA
http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=2525&review=LifeDrive+Mobile+Manager
LIFEDRIVE SPECIFICATIONS
http://store.palmone.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1999092
List Price: $499USD.
Height: 4.76 in, Depth: 0.74 in, Width: 2.87 in.
Weight: 6.8 oz.
Memory: 4GB (3.85GB actual storage capacity).
Program Memory: 64MB (55.1MB available to user) for Palm OS apps and data.
Processor: Intel® 416 MHz XScale™ processor (slightly better than the 400MHz T3).
Screen Display: 65,000 color, 320 x 480 Transflective TFT display.
Internet Access: Built-in Bluetooth®, Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b).
Connector: USB sync cable and AC adapter.
Battery Support: Rechargeable Lithium Ion.
Supported Desktop Systems: Windows® 2000 or XP or Mac OS X v10.2.6 to 10.3.
Significant Bonus Software: (Adobe Acrobat Reader,WiFile™ LT,Real Rhapsody,Windows Media Player/DirectX,Handmark Express,eReader).
Expansion Capabilities: SD, SDIO, and MultiMediaCard Compatible Expansion Slot.
other: Desktop E-mail Sync, Web Browsing and Clipping, MP3 Playback, Video Playback, palmOne™ Photo Software.
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Reader Tips
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TIP:
ICANN approves ".mobi" domains
Submitted by Susan Flaherty
Seattle, Wa.
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"Any thoughts on .mobi?
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), has approved a new Top Level Domain, called .mobi, which is focused on websites supporting mobile devices. It appears that .mobi is pushed by Vodafone, Nokia, and Microsoft to make a specific marketing channel for cell phone content. I have read that Microsoft described .mobi as "a marketing program" for phone-based internet access.
If you have any information about the directions of .mobi, please let us know?
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(editor's note)
For several immediate pieces of related news, see:
The Register discussion about .mobi:
http://www.theregister.com/2005/07/11/dot_mobi_domain/
and,
The Father of the Web (Tim Berners-Lee) blasts .mobi
http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/4967.html
Submit-a-Tip
After each issue, we receive a number of reader comments, questions and tips regarding handhelds. We would like to share these tips with all of our readers as well.
If you would like to submit a tip for inclusion in our newsletter, please fill out the information below. Your name and email will be shown along with the tip, if it is used in our newsletter.
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