Considering Zire 71 but is it compatible with my must-have programs?

[Nannylou]

I have a trusty Palm VIIx that I upgraded from a Palm Pro. I am considering the move to the Zire 71.
Could anyone provide their experience with incompatibility issues with the new OS?

Specifically, I use DateBk4, Stock Mgr and AutoBase on a daily basis.

Several other programs I use but could live without if they are not compatible are: AvantGo, Bejeweled!, BigClock, Quick Tip, SuperList2, Tide Tool, and Yaps. This is not comprehensive so if anyone has feedback on other programs, I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks!

[salmas]

I can tell you that it is compatible with:

1. DateBk5

2. Avantgo (there is a new client for OS5 that is a free download from Avantgo's site

3. Bejeweled (the Zire71 comes with the most recent version of Bejeweled too) and if you are accustomed to playing on the VIIx, you better hold onto your hat, because you are in for a real treat on the Zire71.

The only problem that I have found is that, if you run hacks, although TealMaster is technically an OS5 compatible hack manager, it conflicts a bit with the picture capture app of the Z71. No crashes or anything, it's just that with any hacks enable, the capture app doesn't work properly. Also, EasyLaunch hack doesn't work, even with TealMaster.

You might find that InStep Print and InStep Fax are a little buggy (they work, but crash whenever you exit one of the configuration or preference screens (like selecting a printer, or adjusting margins, etc.).

I also use the following, among other apps, without any problems:

YiShow
WordSmith
TinySheet
Smartlist To Go
iSilo
Acid Image
Mobile Safe
Dates
Monopoly
Breakout
TakTik
PacMan
Filez
McFile
Power Run

Let me know if you have any other particular apps that you are wondering about.

Scott

[Nannylou]

Thanks Scott!

I figured I'd upgrade my DateBk4 to ver. 5 after I made my purchase; now I see on the pimlicosoftware.com Comparison Chart webpage that DateBk4 is compatible with OS 2.0 - 4.0. I guess I'll upgrade immediately to DateBk5 on my VIIx before I go for the Zire 71.

I checked the tinystocks.com website for information regarding Stock Manager and according to the release history my current version 4.33 fully supports OS5.

According to a reviewer for AutoBase on palmgear.com it works with OS 5 as well.

I see several of my seldom-used programs listed in your post as well...thanks again!

Nancy

[Stardust]

Hi, Scott. I'm also making the move to Zire 71. Would you know which of the following programs will work on Palm OS 5.2.1?

1) Big Clock
2) A5
3) Acrobat Reader (the latest version)
4) Flip Chart Express
5) Secure It
6) FileProg

Just have one other concern: the Zire 71's plastic body. If it is painted like the Visor Prism's, would the paint peel off gradually?

[Nannylou]

As an update for anyone who cares,

I bought the Zire 71...WOW!

The 3rd party app Superlist2 causes a Fatal alert when using the Palm "search" function. However, it only caused the issue with certain words. Guess I'll try Smartlist To Go.

Also found that Froggy does not work, not that I care, but my kid will be upset.

Nancy

[Ruby Vee]

DateBK 5 works fine on the Zire 71, but the DateBK5 preview edition works even better. You can download that from the developer's site, and
just install it over DateBK 5. The new hi-res icon sets look absolutely wonderful on the Zire's screen.

I also use the Splash Wallet suite -- and I think my photos look better on Splash Photo than on the
Palm photo program. Splash ID runs beautifully,
as do Spash Money and Splash Shopper.

I've got HanDBase, Wordsmith, DayNotez and Acid
Freecell all running without problems. Also Launcher X. I made sure that I downloaded the latest updates of each of these programs before loading them on the Zire, and I haven't had any problems with any of these programs. The latest update of Tide Tool works with OS 5, and it will
even run from the memory card! (The earlier editions caused Fatal Errors requiring hard reset
if you tried to run it from the card.)

I haven't tried AutoBase, but TealAuto works well.Blood Pressure Manager (freeware) works fine,
as does the latest edition of Vexed. (Also freeware).

The best advice I got when I started to upgrade
from my Prism was to make sure I had the latest
version of any software I tried to put on the new device -- and I've had no problems.

Ruby Vee

[Nannylou]

I looked for updates first as well and took the safe route and installed my apps one by one to see if they worked.

The conflict I had with Superlist2 was really a fluke...who would have thought it would cause a problem with the Palm search function? I replaced it with HandyShopper.

Aren't Tide Tool and Vexed great in color too? Boy, I sure don't miss my VIIx.