Ipaq 3835 Newbie with questions

[mooreman]

I just made the leap and rid myself of my trusted Palm M505 and bought a brand-new Ipaq 3835 at Staples. First, let me say... "Holy crap!!! I wish I had bought this thing sooner!!!" This thing so far does everything I wished my Palm WOULD have done. However, as I'm new to this type of handheld (it's like learning all over again) I have a couple of questions and things that made me go "hmmmmmm....".
First off, the sd card, I have a 28mb sd card that I've so far been successful at storing files, etc. on, but as far as storing Word and Excel files (which I use extensively and edit constantly on both pc and handheld), I am wondering if there's a way to access the stored database files from the pc without having to first move the file on the handheld from storage card to main memory. With the Palm using DocsToGo, it didn't matter where the files were stored, you could access their counterparts on your pc and edit them without any hassle. Anybody know something I'm missing?
Second, I'm noticing there's not many places (i.e. ebay and others) that are selling accessories such as battery packs and cf sleeves and modems... Why is that? I, like most people, relish the idea of getting something for less than retail on occasion.
Third, with my job, I am required to be away from and am in hotels quite often with nothing to do and am wondering what would be the most economical way to get online there, whether it be a modem attached to landline dialing a calling card for access, or maybe a wireless modem thingy. Anybody out there use either and can you tell me about what I could expect to pay for such an extravagence initially and/or monthly?
Fourthly and finally, is anyone aware of any updates/patches that have been released that are more or less essential to the types of operation I described? After a few years' "Palming", I learned a few hard lessons that just because there's updates, it doesn't necessarily mean they're a good idea, and you run a risk of turning your new toy into your new paperweight.

Thanks to all who may reply in advance, I greatly appreciate it!!!

[mrfear]

I cannot answer all your question couse I live in Italy..
I can say to you that , if you buy a compact flash jacket, you can use a compact flash 56k modem to connect internet, if you can access to the line is surely the less expensive way...
I have currently installed the last patch (14 november i think)
and now the new media player rocks ( no frames lost on every wmv).I have a 3950 so I cannot tell if you can benefit as me but I think it is a good patch...

[AnswerDude]

Originally posted by mooreman
I am wondering if there's a way to access the stored database files from the pc without having to first move the file on the handheld from storage card to main memory. Anybody know something I'm missing?
Second, I'm noticing there's not many places (i.e. ebay and others) that are selling accessories such as battery packs and cf sleeves and modems... Why is that? I, like most people, relish the idea of getting something for less than retail on occasion.


Creat a My Documents folder on your storage card, then put Word and Excel files in that folder.

Most online retailers such as amazon, buy.com, cdw, and hp itself carry full line of ipaq accessories. Look at a place like pricegrabber.com to get best price.

[edelmak]

Answer Dude-

By creating a "My Documents" directory on an SD card, are you suggesting that such a directory will then be synched to your desktop computer just like the "My Documents" directory in system memory?

I have heard that it works, but I have been unable to do it on my iPAQ. Any thoughts?

[AnswerDude]

Originally posted by edelmak
Answer Dude-

By creating a "My Documents" directory on an SD card, are you suggesting that such a directory will then be synched to your desktop computer just like the "My Documents" directory in system memory?

I have heard that it works, but I have been unable to do it on my iPAQ. Any thoughts?

I don't think activesync alone can sync files to storage card either. I know that Mightsync may help you do it.
http://www.mydocsunlimited.com/html/mightysync.html

[edelmak]

That's been my experience as well. I currently use Mightysync, but I have found that software to be a little cumbersome - but it does work!

Let me know if you ever hear of a better solution (such as Activesync being upgraded to support this type of activity!!).

Thanks!

[mooreman]

Ok, yet another question on a subject I've been researching about today.
CF modems, of the type that you plug into a regular land-line, how exactly do they work, I see pictures of them and by the pictures, can't tell where/how they would plug into the Ipaq. Is there additional hardware one needs to make a setup like that work?

Oh, and by the way, creating a My Documents file on the SD card has no noticeable effect on my original problem, all that did was create another file on my SD card. So, I guess I may have to try the MightySync thingy.