Tech: PDAs

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 07:57 AM

Just to add to above - if the DT is written in any of the flavours of C (+ or ++) there are plenty of compilers available to produce code for Pocket PC and probably for PALM OS.

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 06:27 AM

Joe - if it was possible to get a Pocket PC version of DT you could put me down for it straight away. Most PDAs have easily enough processing power and (especially with extra cards - my iPaq 1910 has 320mb) memory to run the application. As I've said already, I can play MIDI files on mine - so even the playback should be possible. Pocket PC won't actually run DOS programs (is DT still a DOS program ?), but what is the source code of the latest version of the DT program ? - perhaps it could be compiled to work on a PDA.

I must admit that a pocket version of DT would really be a winner.

Incidently, if anyone's interested in the free MIDI player for Pocket PC, you can download it from this site. the only problem which I have is that the symbols on the "play" screen which should be > >> etc are all something else - it plays well though and you can look at the screen shots on the website to sort out what's what.

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 05:01 AM

I am using a Palm m505. This is my second Palm PDA as I wore the other one out.

Basic and simple which is all I wanted.

I use it when I travel on business to keep notes on and the battery life is very good if you do not use the backlight facility all the time.

Unlike notebooks if you are travelling by aircraft no one tells to to turn it off as you take off or land and there is still room on those silly back seat tables for the in-flight 'food' tray.

I can synchronise it seamlessly with my notebook and my desktop. The Palm OS software is very compact and there is plenty of free ware available.

As a tip whatever you buy ask the shop for the little clear screen covers. These stick onto the screen and preserve it from scratching and extend the life of the PDA.

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 11:40 AM

A very small music stand can be clipped onto a mic stand, and a PDA would sure fit in an instrument case better than a binder.

~S~

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 11:20 AM

Is there a PDA available that will run a DOS program like the Digital Tradition? The database is about 10 megabytes, and it seems to run on any 1992-vintage computer. Why not on a 2004 PDA?There's gotta be a way.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 11:09 AM

Well taking a leaf out of Les's book I was swayed by the price in the end and the fact that there was a special offer on the Tungsten T2 £70 off the usual price! Its got Documents to go installed and has a voice recorder which could be useful. I'll probably be a PDA bore for a week or two until the novelty wears off!

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 05:40 AM

You can also get an adaptor that enables you to view photographs from a memory stick on your PDA, this fits into the SD slot. Don't forget thet the new iPAQ PDAs have dual expansion slots, and Bluetooth. There is more power in my new PDA then there was in my first computer.
John

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 05:34 AM

I would definitely recommend getting a "Pocket PC" powered PDA rather than a a "Palm OS" one - it's a much more powerful operating system and much more like normal Microsoft Windows. I also have an iPaq 1910 and find it a great little machine - unfortunately it's no longer on sale, but you can still get hold of the 1940 which has Bluetooth as well. Most modern PDAs will allow you to add a memory card and I recommend this as you can then keep all your extra programs and data on it and leave the main memory for the system and built in programs.

There's some great software available very cheaply or even free - I've got a great Midi File player. I also have TomTom Citymaps and RoutePlanner which when I connect my GPS will show where I am anywhere in the country. I also keep the lyrics of all my songs on my PDA (in Pocket Word format}) - just in case I need to check up !

Finally, as my mobile phone has a modem, I can connect to it via Infra Red and even go on the net and post to Mudcat !

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: Les from Hull
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 05:04 AM

She's gone back up to Chiang Mai and will be travelling down to Lampang soon for her home visit (which also includes her birthday on Thursday).

My PDA was about the cheapest Pocket PC available. That was it's most attractive quality. In many ways Pocket PCs are ahead of Palms at the moment when comparing features with price. They co-ordinate really well with PCs.

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 02:25 PM

You'll have to invent a dynamo charger Les you'll make a fortune! Looking forward to being enthralled by the photos of Thailand soon. Did the elephants give Maggie back yet?

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: Les from Hull
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 09:13 AM

I've found my HP iPAQ 1910 very useful. As well as the usual PDA functions it's got my song list (with the words), my LP and CDs databases, serves as an MP3 player, carries several books using Microsoft Reader, and will soon serve to bore you rigid with photos of Thailand!

On the minus side the battery life is a bit limited away from home (but I imagine a car adapter would be good - you can't get one for a pushbike), and there's no ABC player yet that I know of.

Les

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From:
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 06:37 PM

MickyMan, I use Documents to Go for linking Word documents to Palm machines.

You can even try before you buy.

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: MickyMan
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 05:23 PM

I'm going on a month-long hike this summer, planning on taking my palm to keep track of lists, nature guides...etc. I'm bringing along my travel guitar and I'd love to hear about any ideas for musical uses. I'm planning on keeping a list of songs and maybe some song and chord documents that I have on MicrosoftWord. Any other ideas?

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: treewind
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 05:16 PM

Aha - I didn't know there was another ABC program for the Palm. My friend Dave Holland wrote ABC Viewer which may be useful too - I havent tried either actually...

But I do own a Palm (Vx) and I'll second the recommendation, and as for "only 16Mb" - that's a LOT of memory for dates, addresses and a few notes.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From:
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 04:12 PM

Here's another site, with some testimonials on using Palm machines.

Palmsource Music

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From:
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 03:36 PM

Hi, Mrs Duck.

I've used Palm & Clones for several years now. Currently I am on my 5th PDA, a Sony Clie, with the Memory Stick. One MAJOR piece of software I highly recommend is Documents to Go.

Half of my usage is for the Datebook section to keep track of birthdays.

The next major usage is for lyrics. I had maintained several 3 ring binders of songs to the point of unwieldiness. They are all maintained in Word documents. When I saw that I could use and compress all of these into the PDA with Documents to Go, I was all for it.

For Mudcatters, there are two programs of great use for tune learning.

PalmABC will allow you to enter and listen to ABC tunes on the Palm.

Noter is a Music Edit program to allow one to enter tunes, transpose them and play them with varying tempos.

There are a lot of Music oriented programs for the Palm.

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 02:06 PM

Wow I only went to the bathroom and already have replies - thanks guys.

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: Big Mick
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 01:49 PM

I use the Palm Zire 71, and have used Palm for about 7 years. I couldn't function without it. I find that 16mb is plenty, especially considering you can use the memory chips for storage of music files and photos. I use the digicam in spontaneous situations and more than once it has saved me from missing a "moment". It also has software which lets you play MP3's, and play mini movies. All in all, I am extremely satisfied with this unit. It may be the best one I have used yet.

Mick

Subject: RE: Tech: PDAs
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 01:49 PM

I just bought an iPAQ 2210/15, and I'm totally knocked out by the capabilities. I also use it as a GPS in-car, and it's great.
John

Subject: Tech: PDAs
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 01:46 PM

I am thinking of buying a PDA but am not sure what to look for. I want to be able to transfer files from the PC but am not over concerned about internet access. I have looked at the Palm Tungsten E, which for the price seems to have most of the features I need, I also looked at the Palm Zire 71 which has built in digicam but only 16mb memory and the Toshiba E400 which is more expensive as it has a lot of windows features which I can't really see me needing. Who out there uses one and what do you like or dislike about yours?
Jane