Best device for me?

[brother d]

I am searching for a handheld device for my Pastor so he can use access bible study info quickly and track appointments, etc... What are the pros and cons of Palm or Pocket Pc's? Are those the two main catergories when dealing with these devices? I'm hoping to spend under $300$ I would like a color screen. Just as a thought, I liked the idea of having a way to quickly write down notes, but the ?graffiti2? process I read about would be too much work for my pastor I think. I like some of the devices with the little keyboards on them but they look pricey. Ease of use is important I think. If you have the time, I'd really appreciate it if someone could you lay down the basics and some options for me?

[exscentric]

I would look at Dell.com They usually have one for under 200 and add some downloads from http://www.e-sword.net in the pocket pc section and he will be set for a long long time :-)

The faster processor would be nice, but I run esword on a 400 mhz and it does pretty nicely.

You will want to add a memory card as well so there is someplace to put some programs as he gets into the thing.

I think one of their models takes both cf and sd cards. The cf cards are cheaper right now so that might be something to consider.

[brother d]

Hey, thanks for the advice!

Any advice on the Tungsten E?

The dell x30 looks great, and like you said, the faster processor would be nice I imagine. But its a little over my budget, and because this now looks like it is going to be a collective purchase from the church, I'm probably going to have to find a PDA that's sold at a store such as- best buy. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Also, I've done my best to check out some of the bible software out there and Quick Verse seems to be the most widely received (or best marketed), there's also Laridian, Olive Tree, and now you've mentioned E-Sword. Any tips on purchasing the right one? What are your reasons for choosing E-sword?

One more thing (anyone)...Is the Zire 72 a "kids" device? Do the headings really say things like COOL PICS, etc...? I like the camera but I'm not too sure.


Thanks again!

[exscentric]

Reason for choosing esword --- FREE :-)

The pc version is the best of the programs I've tried. I have seedmaster/biblecompanion and several of the free ones including online bible. I have played with quick verse but am not overly impressed.

The ppc version of esword is a little slow, but the resources that are available are almost all free and they are good.

Barnes notes; jamison, fauscet and Brown; Matt. Henry; Wesley; ISBE; several translations; several dictionaries and it is easy to use.

I have not used quick verse for ppc but it is expensive last I knew. Olivetree has many of the same resources as esword, but they are charging for a number of their products now. All the new stuff is being charged for. It IS a good program and a little quicker than esword.

Both have strong's numbers built in though olivetree costs. Olive tree does offer Net Bible the translation from bible.org, but again it costs.

As to where to buy, many of the stores are not carrying much in the way of ppc's now, most are heavy into palm.

You'd just have to look around and compare what you find. Online is much easier to look for specs and prices - saves the feet also :-)

One think you also should consider is that you will have to consider the storage. Most anything you buy is going to require a memory card of some sort to put all the goodies on.

a 256 meg will be gone very quickly. I have olivetree on a 256 and have some room left plus a few programs on it.

Esword takes a lot of memory, Barnes is in the area of 50 meg or so I think. I have a 1 gig in my dell and have both programs plus two or three other bible programs and still lots of room.

I have Laridian and it works okay, not much in the way of resources without paying for them.

some other programs:

(one of these is actually olivetree in a package I think)

http://biblelink.us/cgi-bin/content/index.html
http://www.slsoftware.com/
http://heavenword.com/index.html?session=6025d7308d1ca0c1d5e86e20e67e9f8 e

[brother d]

Just to let you know, we finally decided on a PDA and got the Dell X50. The Pastor was thrilled! I can' t thank you all enough for all your help. Exscentric, thank you so much for e-sword.net and all the wonderful help you've given me. May God bless you richly. Thank you PDA street and everyone else here.

God Bless!

Brother D