... to the July edition of our user and developer PDA tips newsletter.
The focus of this issue is largely review materials, news and utilities.
Please feel free to submit requests or ideas through the links
at the bottom of this page. This is also where you will find
subscription and removal information.
Each item in our newsletter is marked with icon(s), so that you can focus on your own areas of interest.
The icons that we use are:
PalmOS
Pocket PC/WinCE items
Phone-related PDA tips
Wi-Fi items
Please note: This newsletter contains tips and tools that can alter your PDA.
These items are offered here "as is" and without any warranty or support from FO. Please
consider them carefully before using or trying them (and as always ... backup, backup, backup first -- before making any changes).
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.
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.
Included here will be PalmOS; WinCe/Pocket PC/Windows Mobile; Smartphones and calling plan comparisons. We will keep and update this set of device lists in future newsletters, as a way to help users comparing hardware to purchase.
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:
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:
"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..."
There are even specialized versions for Sports and Art-related words.
Development Tips and Tools
(Sites with content most valuable to developers)
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..."
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
FO News
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.
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:
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.
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.
Reader Tips
TIP:
ICANN approves ".mobi" domains
Submitted by Susan Flaherty
Seattle, Wa.
"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?
(editor's note) For several immediate pieces of related news, see:
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.
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