This issue of T&T will be primarily focused on the world of Palm, as Palm powered units have just over 50% of the market of the handheld computers market (Microsoft/Windows is not dominating for a change, but is trying!). This first part of a series of Palm Articles will focus on what you can do with a Palm OS device. Following series will give you even more details of what you can do. I will start at the very beginning, so all of you experts out there, will find more stuff for your needs in Pt. 2. From you advanced users, I'd love to get your stories of unusual ways you use your Palm OS device. Send me stories and links for software and hardware you use. I'll post it on next Palm OS newsletter. Enjoy, Clyde **************** What is a handheld computer? A Handheld computer is much smaller then a laptop and fits in most people's hands. The market for hand held devices started with the Pilot 1000 and Pilot 5000 in 1996. This mark is only in it's 6th year! To read more about the history of the Palm, peruse this site: http://www.palm.com/about/corporate/timeline.html . The Palm Operating System which is build into every Palm Operating Device (POD) is to handheld computers what Windows/Mac OS is to Desktop/Laptop Computers. It is the bare bone systems which runs all the applications on the device. As with Windows/Mac OS, the Palm OS comes with some basic applications to begin with (To-do, Date book, Address Book, Memo Pad and Calculator). In around 1998, Microsoft jumped into the market with it's Windows CE operating system which has morphed into the PocketPC OS.  It is gradually rising in popularity leveraging it's monopolistic application, Microsoft Office. Why do you keep saying Palm OS device? In the beginning, the only Palm handheld devices there were had the "Palm" name stamped on them. Now, you can get devices which have the same basic functionality made by Palm, Handspring and Sony. There are now Kyocera and Samsung phones which also have the Palm OS on them. Do I need a Hand Held Computer? When you have all the accessories, a handheld computer is a laptop substitute. You just need to buy a modem and keyboard and for as low as $250, you can have a laptop substitute for writing documents, making spreadsheets, checking & sending e-mail and browsing the web. MiniRant: Adobe tech support policy - Enron-like - In other words, dishonest!! Spent time on the phone with Adobe's tech support. They charge $2/minute once you're beyond warranty. That's average these days. What really ticked me off is that they make you pay while you're on hold. Is Adobe getting that desperate that they need to make a PROFIT for HOLD TIMES? I wouldn't visit their company any time soon as they may charge you for the air you breathe while there. What a disappointment from a company that pumps out good products. Ironically after 13 minutes, or $26, no one answered phone. I ended up getting my answer on the web.  If you work at Adobe, I'd love to hear your side of this story. Note to Clients: If you didn't get your special e-mail offer from me in the last week or so, please let me know as it's a GOOD one and many of you are benefiting from it. How do I input text, appointments and people I know into that little unit? You have many options! 1.  The most prevalent is "Graffiti" which is a special Palm OS language which takes about 5 minutes to learn. 2.  Use the on-screen keyboard which you can use with a stylus. 3. Attach a physical keyboard to Palm Device. 4. Enter the data into Outlook, Act!, Goldmine or the Palm Desktop and synchronize it to your Palm Hand Held Device. 5. All of the above! New Client Offer!! For all new clients, have we got a deal for you! To kick off your new year right, we're offering you $25 off your first visit with us at your home or office. If we haven't visited you in the past year, you qualify for this discount as well (Don't worry, current clients, you'll be getting a separate deal via e-mail as well). For those of you outside the SF Bay Area, including those of you outside the United States, we offer you your first e-mail tech support question, answered within 8 hours, free of charge (a US$15 value!). To take advantage of this offer, we'll need your home city, state and zip code for verification purposes. Extended through Feb 28, 2002. What does synchronization mean? When you install your POD, you get either a cable or cradle which connects to either your serial or USB port. Once you connect this, you install the Palm Software. This contains a Desktop version of the items you have on your handheld computer. Once everything is installed, you push button on cradle and it compares what's on your POD to your Desktop and put copies of each on both machines. You now have a backup of your POD on your computer. It's recommended that you do this synchronization daily to keep a backup of all your important information What decisions do I have to make when I purchase a POD? Colour vs. Monochrome Most Palm OS devices (PODs) sold today have black letter with green/grey backgrounds. If you want color, you will pay a $100-$200 premium.  There is currently an excellent deal from Handspring to get the Handspring Visor Prism (the unit I own) for $299 (originally $449). You can buy it refurbished from Fry's for $199. Built in MP3 player The Sony Clie is currently the only POD which has a built-in MP3 device. An MP3 device lets you play music, from your CDs or downloaded from the Internet, on your handheld device. Internal Memory (2 vs 8 vs 16 MB) Most units sold today have 8 MB built-in RAM, which is fine if you only keep track of contacts, memo item and date books. If you want to install lots of games and other add-ons, you may want a unit with 16 MB. Ultra Slim Handspring  & Sony have super slim models. The Handspring model "The Edge" just had a big price reduction. Sony has just come out with the slimmest model to date, but there is a price for this slim module. Extra Memory Module For all Handspring  & Sony models and the new Palm models allow you to add anywhere from 8 MB to 256 MB to your units. The most convenient is the Sony which allows you to take the "memory stick" and put it in a camera or a video cam. Where do I buy these PODs? They are sold everywhere except your local supermarket. The major players are Handspring ( www.handspring.com ), Palm ( www.palm.com ) and Sony (www.sony.com/clie) . To date, I like Handspring's customer service the best.  Palm is good. I haven't dealt with Sony's clie division. If you have a story good or bad, I'd love to hear it. Next issue, we'll cover: Beaming your information to other Users Printing wirelessly to any printer Cool Add-ons for the for PODs What handheld device I own? Why? What do I do with it? Alternative uses for your POD Best of All: Any topic I haven't covered...you ask the question, I'll answer it here! Hope you enjoyed the ride..... ************************ Hope you enjoyed the ride.... Clyde Lerner, In The Moment Computing Phone: 408.732.8500 E-mail comments/feedback to: http://www.itmcomputing.com/contact_computer.php This newsletter is a service of In The Moment Computing and is Copyright 2005 Clyde Lerner. All worldwide rights reserved. If forwarding, please forward all of e-mail, not any portion therein. To see past issues of This and That Computer Tips newsletter, please visit the web at: http://www.itmcomputing.com/newsletter.php and click on "Archives." Please note: Unless requested, questions pertaining to this newsletter will be answered in a 3-4 week time frame. If you need a faster response, there will be a small consultation fee of $15 per e-mail response. You will receive a reply within 48 hours. "Complete Computer Help (Networks, New Computer Installs, Software Training) for Individuals and Small Businesses" "Designing your Perfect Website, at an Affordable Cost, in a Timely Manner" Eliminate and Destroy unwanted email: http://spamarrest.com/affl?1337207 Send a greeting card through the Internet so recipient gets card in their postal mailbox: www.sendoutcards.com/7197 - let me walk you through how to send a card - it's easy. ©2002 In The Moment (ITM) Computing. All rights reserved.