Life without a PDA

My Palm IIIe decided not to display any more information, however it still kept the data intact and I was able to sync it to my PC.

Part of me says not to replace the PDA, to be honest I have been having problems latey entering data to the PDA using the the touchpad keyboard on the digitizer and I haven't been syncing as often as I used to be when I first got the unit over 3-1/2 years ago.

Another part says either buy two PDA one for work use, the other for home use or have a PDA that has two note applications. While I don't mind having my PDA knowing both home and work stuff, I really don't think my work PC needs to know my DVD collection.

Right now I am not in a rush to replace the PDA but the sake of discussion anyone want to comment on PDA's, what to get, what to avoid? Or what I have in mind out of the ordinary?

Oh I should mention that my home PC is running Windows 98 and the work PC is running Windows 2000 Professional and both use Outlook 2000. I'm not interested in sync the email. Just the notes and calendar. The calendar is not a problem if both the home and work PC know the information. It's just the notes that need to be seperate for home use and work use.

Comments

Get a Game Boy Advance instead. :)

It all depends on whether you find you can make do without. I'd suggest you try it for a while.

When I lost my last full-time job I got rid of my cell phone and PDA to help balance the books. It's 1.5 years later and I've found I can live without a pager or cell phone, but I'm beginning to think I could use the PDA again.

Without my Palm device I've got writing notes, bills, job ads, phone numbers, lists and other crap messing up my desktop(s). Having a Palm device would clear that up quickly.

I've had my eye on Palm's Tungsten line, but they're out of my price range (unless a job offer comes tomorrow).

If you want to be the envy of all geeks then get the new Fossil Wrist PDA. Pretty sexy!

Couldn't tell you about Win devices, but then would I ever? I'm sure someone around here has experience with them.

My belt is always dragged down with the weight of a cell phone and a PDA, but even though I know I could get a combo device, I keep thinking, "I probably will give up the cell phone... but I can't live without my PDA!"

I use my Handspring Visor Prism every day. Despite the fact that it's discontinued, and the fact that it's OS has dead-ended, and the fact that (compared to today's latest and greatest) it's a clunky, boxy dinosaur.

I don't need something to play MP3s, browse the web or play games on. And I definitely don't need another Microsoft OS in my life. I just want a digital equivalent of a pocket-sized planner - appointments, phone numbers, to-do list and notes. And this is something even an outdated Palm OS device can do smashingly.

New, barebones Palm PDAs go for $99 these days, and one of those would still cover 90 percent of what I need a PDA for. Why spend $600 for a shiny (and buggy) iPAQ that only adds Windows Media Player?

Despite my loyalty to my Prism, though, I am occasionally browsing the web, imagining perhaps bringing a mid-range Sony Clie into my life someday. Still Palm OS based, but with elegant form and ease-of-use improvements that make a big difference.

Yeah, I forgot about those Sony Clié. If you get one make sure it has the Clié Remote Commander ability (aka "AV remote control function"). It's a Killer App.

Good place to check out Sony stuff is ByteWare at Kam Shopping Center. They're always running specials on their web site so you can compare with your favorite discount chain to find the best price.

I'll GIVE you a nearly-new Palm IIIe with cradle, cable, software, etc., in the box if you want it.

I tried to drag my wife into the digital age by buying her the Palm. She used it for a week, let it sit for another week, then gave it back to me! And here it sits, in the original box.

I could sell it on eBay, but the shipping would cost more than I'd get for the unit!

Seriously, if you want it, please let me know.

Blaine

If no one wants it i'll take it blaine...

I have the same Palm III model in question, and so far mine is working fine.. data syncs to my Macs and all that. My issue is why don't Palm issue a device that has a replaceable rechargeable battery? As far as I know, the batteries are built into these things. So far the Palm has faithfully charged whenever it sits in its cradle... I cringe when the day comes that the Palm can't hold a charge.

I've seen a couple of Handspring devices with removeable batteries... Any other Palm OS devices with removeable rechargeable batteries?

I know that if I have to get a new one, I am definitely staying with Palm OS since it syncs nicely with my Macs. My home environment iis totally Windows-free....

Go for it, Helen! I too would recommend the Palm III series.

Ah, the memories. I started with the PalmPilot, which was later designated the PalmPilot Personal when the Professional model came out. I upgraded to the Palm III a year and a half later, and even though I beat the heck out of it, it kept on ticking. (I dare say that unit was probably the most sturdy one I've ever used - my current Handspring Visor Prism is positively fragile in comparison.) It just sipped its AAA batteries, which could last months.

And I definitely miss that use of standard batteries. Built-in proprietary rechargables seem convenient... until you have to spend a few days away from your home base.

Sin,

Call me at work. Ask Andrade or Dean for the number. They know. Or at least email me off this list.

"There is another."

Blaine

Hey, Blaine, you don't happen to have a spare iPod you want to give away? :)

"Starting at $299" [sigh]

Hehehe. If you can pry it from my cold, dead fingers, you can have it. =)

Boy, did I put a damper on this discussion or what? What did I say???!

If you want to contact me off-list, check my zztype.com site for more info.

Aloha,
Blaine

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