Advice for a virgin palm user

[GingerShaw98]

I have never used a palm but am afraid that I need to invest in one to organize my life. I don't know anything about them so i am turning to the experts. This is what I expect out of my new friend:

1. calendar to keep me organized--can it be linked to a computer program so I can plug it into my computer and down/up load?
2. address book--can it be compatable with Microsoft Outlook?
3. big external plug-up keyboard.
4. color screen maybe?
5. what else can you offer me? :)

I need something easy to use!! I finally mastered the Microsoft Office suite and do not want to convert--I want to type into my computer and then transfer it with a click of a button to my palm.

Am I dreaming that this is all possible?!

Thank you for all your assistance,
Ginger Shaw

[gabrielnexus]

Hi Ginger
I don't understand: are you telling me that you are still virgin at 26 yo??

[JohnKes]

All of the above is possible, and more.

1 and 2: All PalmOS PDAs can do that.
3: You should get a Stowaway keyboard. Palm's re-labeled version is called "Palm Portable Keyboard". Sony's re-labeled version is called "KB11". Handsprings use the "Stowaway for Visors".
4: Color screens are pretty nice. They cost more and run down the battery faster. Can't have everything. B/W screens are better in bright ambient lighting.
5: Several programs allow you to use MS Word, Excel - DocumentsToGo (included free with Palms and Sonys), QuickSheet, WordSmith (best word processor)... Some Sonys can play MP3s. There are photo album programs and mapping programs. Also games, database programs, eBook readers, dictionaries, a movie player, and password vaults (I have dozens of passwords). I use PocketQuicken every day because I can enter a day's worth of $ transactions before my PC can even boot up. Then I directly Sync to Quicken. Plenty of these programs are free, too.

Depends on what you want to do and how much you want to spend. Palms have better battery life. Sonys have higher resolution screens. Palms have 1 year warranty, Sony's have 3 month. Handsprings have plenty of accessories at clearance prices.

Go to an electronics store and try them out. Some may appeal to you more than others.

[Lauren Neher]

Ginger,
A palm can do all that and more. I would recommend a Palm M130 or a M505/515 model. Both are color, and expandable with a SD (Secure Digital) or MMC (MultiMedia Card). Palms are very easy to learm to use, and there is a ton of applications out there that are Freeware, and shareware. The office applications that come with these work fine, and there are lots of other options out there as well. Whatever you get, I recommend buying something expandable, and get a good case, like the Kensington Hard case for the Palm 500 series. It really does a great job of protecing your investment. Have fun!
Lauren Neher

[OldBlue]

I would get a color Palm. It will easily do all that you listed in your post, although you will need to purchase the keyboard separately. Also, since you mention MS Office, the m130, m505, and m515 come with bonus software that includes DataViz's DocumentsToGo, which will allow you to view, edit, and create Word documents and Excel spreadsheets. Dending upon the version of DTG, you may also be able to view, edit, and/or create PowerPoint presentations on your Palm, too.

OldBlue

[TheSpies]

i would also say a 130 if you wanted color or 125 (both expandable) if you do not need color. for that matter if you dont need color or tons of space you might want to look at the zire. its not expandable but at 99 bucks its a good intro unit to the palm world and should do what you need (just remember its only 2 meg)

[little-man]

if you don't want to spend much money, look into getting a used palm from eBay. I got my IIIc from there, and it's just as good as if I bought it new!!! look around for a week or so to get a good idea of the average price, and then if you see a good deal, go for it!!!

[gabrielnexus]

Nobody told Ginger that you cannot sincronyze your Outlook adress book with your Palm.

[JohnKes]

Sure you can:
http://www.palm.com/support/accessories/pocketmirror.html

You need PocketMirror, which is included with all recent Palms (except Palm IIIe and earlier). I don't know about Sony's. I thought they came with PocketMirror, too.

[TheSpies]

true you cant out of the box, but you can with keycontacts from chapura:

http://chapura.com/keycontacts.php

read JohnKes's post for a better answer.

[JohnKes]

I just went to Chapura.com PocketMirror is not included with Sony's.

http://www.chapura.com/devices.php

Sony bundles in IntelliSync Lite, which probably does the same thing.

[gabrielnexus]

That's a good news.I have a PalmIIIe. This application have a cost? What's it size?

[JohnKes]

Palm IIIe, wouldn't you know it?!! Check above for Chapura.com

IntelliSync:
http://www.pumatech.com/is_desktop_main.html

You can download it from there.

[John Maclaren]

I have never used a palm but am afraid that I need to invest in one to organize my life. I don't know anything about them so i am turning to the experts. This is what I expect out of my new friend:

1. calendar to keep me organized--can it be linked to a computer program so I can plug it into my computer and down/up load?
2. address book--can it be compatable with Microsoft Outlook?
3. big external plug-up keyboard.
4. color screen maybe?
5. what else can you offer me? :)

I need something easy to use!! I finally mastered the Microsoft Office suite and do not want to convert--I want to type into my computer and then transfer it with a click of a button to my palm.

Am I dreaming that this is all possible?!

Thank you for all your assistance,
Ginger Shaw

Hi Ginger
I too am a total beginner. I'm pretty sure that the answers 1 & 2 are YES. But being a beginner haven't got there yet.

If you find a book to help beginners find their way around the Palm please tell me about it!
John Maclaren

[JohnKes]

If your eyes are young enough (mine are not), you should look at a Centro:
http://www.treocentral.com/content/Stories/1433-1.htm

Pick through these articles (1 thru 9) to see if it will do what you need.