Technology
Corner
From Paper Organizers to PDAs
By Kathy Kolb, President – Kolb Net Works, Inc.
I recently bought my first PDA
(Personal Digital Assistant).
For years I’ve used a paper Day
Runner® day planner, calendar and notebook. It was compact and kept
all my meeting appointments easy to manage. Although it did
everything I needed, I occasionally got kidded about it. After all,
I chair the Williamsport / Lycoming Chamber of Commerce Advanced
Telecommunication / Information Technology (AT-IT) Committee and I’m
active with the regional IT committee CPaCCIT (Central Pa Chamber’s
of Commerce Information Technology Committee). What was I still
doing with a paper date book?
As much as I embrace communications
technology, the Day Runner® was reliable; never needed rebooting and
never ran out of battery power or space. I just added new pages for
the new year and continued on.
But lately, I’ve been more active in
committees, spending more time taking notes and setting future
meeting dates. So, I took the plunge. Here’s some of what I learned
while researching for the purchase.
What is a
PDA?
A PDA is a very small (smaller than a paperback book), portable
(battery operated) computer that is able to synchronize with your
desktop computer. PDAs usually have several built in applications
such as: Calendar (with your schedule notes), Address Book, To Do
List, Note Pad or Word Processor, Calculator, Ebook reader and
Clock. Some also have money tracking software for expense reports.
PDAs come with a small docking port or sync cradle that connects to
your computer. When you place the PDA in the cradle, it communicates
with your PC, getting new updates from your PC and sending it any
new information since the last docking. This way, you only have to
enter data once for both devices (your PC and your PDA) to be up to
date.
Prices range from $129 to $500
depending on model, features, memory and accessories.
There are two main types of PDAs –
the difference is their Operating System (OS). The PalmTM Operating
System is the oldest and most popular PDA Operating system. It runs
on devices made by Palm, Sony (Clie), HandSpring, and others. The
PocketPC Operating System was developed by Microsoft and is also
know as Windows CE. It runs on devices made by Compaq (iPaq), Casio
(Cassiopeia), HP (Jornada) and @migo. Both operating systems offer
monochrome and color devices.
Do you need
one? Consider what you would use the PDA for.
First, PDAs are generally only used when you are out of your office.
When at the office, people use their own computer system. So
consider how much time do you spend on business outside your office.
Next, think about what you do and
what information you need when you’re out of your office. Do you set
future meeting dates? call people listed in your address book? take
notes? If so, you will need to access your calendar file, address
book, a few sheets of paper, and while being able to make additions
and changes. Or maybe, it is time to look for the all-in-one
solution – the PDA and perhaps a compact keyboard accessory.
Palm OS devices use a type of writing
called “Graffiti” for letter recognition; PocketPC devices can read
regular handwriting. Both systems can use special external keyboards
for better note taking.
Since Microsoft makes the PocketPC
Operating System, the PocketPC system is very easy to get started on
since it has PocketPC versions of Outlook, Word, Excel, Internet
Explorer and Windows Media Player (which provides it with the
ability to play MP3 song files).
Looking
Ahead
PDAs are growing into color screen devices with audio and video
playback capability.
With the increased availability of
Ebooks (books that are bought and viewed electronically, not
physically) these PDA devices become a good reader platform. You can
store several books in a single device (depending on memory), use
bookmarks and highlight selected text.
Some models offer email and web
browsing abilities with wireless access (cellular account needed).
If high speed wireless Internet access becomes available at an
affordable price, the popularity of these devices could soar.
Imagine holding a book sized device that would allow you to read any
book, listen to any song, watch any video, or take an education
class that you wanted ANYWHERE.
Resources:
www.pocketpc.com
– Microsoft’s web site for the Pocket PC operating system – includes
news and plenty of links
www.palm.com –
Palm OS and device web site
www.pocketgear.com – a resource site for PocketPCs
www.targus.com –
info on the Stowaway Keyboard
www.mbusinessdaily.com – Magazine covering “Mobile Business”
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