PDA for Tech Savy Students? 112
Kichigai Mentat asks: "When I was a student in High School, I was quite disorganized. I found that a good organizer helped me out, and eventually got myself a reliable Palm m105. As I'm about to go into college, I'm considering picking up a new machine to replace my nearly-dead PDA. However, the selection seems to be either Palm OS, which I find rather limiting in terms of what you can and cannot do on the system (I LIKE being able to organize things into sub-folders), or Window Mobile, which isn't Linux or Mac OS X friendly. What sort of third-party options are available that work with existing PIM apps, will work without Windows, and won't cost an arm and a leg?"
"savvy" (Score:2, Informative)
Thank you. Have a nice day.
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No need to rub it in. He is looking for a new PDA.
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</pedantic>
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A few things (Score:5, Informative)
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Re:A few things (Score:5, Informative)
However, there are distributors that import them and do the English language conversion, such as conics.net.
The SL-C3xxx clamshell models with built-in harddrives [on.net] rock. It's like having a laptop that was exposed to a shrink ray.
I installed KO/Pi [pi-sync.net] on mine as an scheduler/organizer, and use the provided "Hancom Word" word processor to maintain my journal and do other writing. I got a WiFi card for it, and I can even hook up my cell phone via it's USB port and do a SSH session from anywhere I can get a signal.
I think their success in Japan versus the U.S. is due to the fact that in Japan, the clamshell form factor seems to be very common for electronic dictonaries, while Americans are still looking for something that looks like a Palm Pilot. It's a shame and a crime that such a wonderful piece of technology, which draws admiring stares whereever I go, isn't more widely available in the U.S.
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Its the price. Most people want comparativly stupid devices that either has a large cellphone formfactor, or is fairly cheap, mostly both. A good zuarus will cost you $350 - $750, depending on the model, and the US public want cheap, McDonalds fastfood type devices.
At least thats
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Re:A few things (Score:4, Informative)
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Anyone want to wager on when VMWare and/or Xen and/or some other virtualization project will be made available for PDAs? If you say never, you have no business reading Slashdot.
Seriously, the hardware isn't that far from being able to run PalmOS and Linux concurrently. I'd love to see this. At the very least, you could have your home gaming vm and your work vm, so the two wouldn't intermingle.
Beware...not for the timid (Score:2)
I still want to try it, but they seriously need to put some thought toward people actually being able to use it
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Just like those old 386 PCs in the back room...
Battery like... (Score:3, Informative)
The new C1/3x00 series, however, goes for a good five hours of constant wifi use. As mentioned somwhere in this thread, these newer models aren't sold directly in the US. You have to get them through a distributor, which will import and convert to
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Re:A few things (Score:4, Informative)
Some of the nice things about it:
-Keyboard is built in under a slide-out panel, for those of us who don't like graffiti input methods.
-Trivial to flash with a new ROM (such as OPIE or GPE)...but I'd recommend either having two CF cards or a CF card reader/writer on your computer so you can get yourself out of sticky situations.
-You can either plug in the charger directly to the Zaurus or via the cradle, which add immeasurably to the convenience, because you can charge it an use it at the same time without being at your computer.
-Lots of nice programs for free, such as VNC viewer & server, PDF reader, etc.
-Headphone jack for listening to music, either from songs stored on the Zaurus or streaming from a computer connected wirelessly.
-The translucent plastic flip-cover can be removed easily.
Did I mention it runs Linux?
The only downside I've come across is that the battery life isn't the best in the world, but personally I rarely have problems with an empty battery. Also, it requires a little technical proficiency to get everything (like an internet browser) running well on the non-defaul ROM.
I can't speak for the newer Zauruses, but they look even nicer than the one I have.
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I got quite a bit of use out of my SL-5600, using it for everything from a portable web server to emulation. Here's a shot of mine running the Mac OS:
- http://www.bones3d.com/think/zmac.jpg [bones3d.com]
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Grab a couple of iPaq's on ebay. Used or last years models and reload them with OPIE [handhelds.org] or GPE [handhelds.org] and off you go. Cost you little, get a lot, support the penguin.
Just a thought...
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Why not to get Palm:
-somewhat limited specs compared to same-priced HP/Dell handhelds (but specs rarely matter). No cheap wireless option.
The PalmTX supports 802.11b.
-most of the newer Palms cannot run Linux (yet). You are stuck with PalmOS
We didn't care what it ran. It's not like either of us will be trying to hack the kernel on it. She needed something with the functionality the PalmTX had, not something
Mac OS X solutions for Pocket PCs... (Score:4, Informative)
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I've been using it for a while now (a year and a half or so). The biggest thing I should warn you about is that if you are a early adopter, you may have a problem. What I mean is that when Tiger came out, it took a few months before they released a version that was compatible with iSync 2.0. Since Leopard is going to have iSync 3.0, I'm guessing something like that may happen again.
That said, I've had a Dell Axim X50v for two years now. The hardware is nice. The OS (Windows Mobile 2003) is not. They made s
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She called me a palm pilot and left (Score:3, Funny)
Just keep this in mind... (Score:5, Interesting)
After a few months, in retrospect, I am now craving a higher resolution screen and more memory, but the surprising reality is that my Palm Z22 really works, and really works well...for me. And that's the key. Find what works for you and stick with it.
So regardless of what you choose, try to keep the perspective of simplicity.
-Jim
http://jimstips.com/ [jimstips.com]
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We should be okay as long as you guys don't find each other.
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I have to agree with simplicity. I "upgraded" from a Palm m105 to a used m500 not so long ago, and it is all I need to stay organized. Between the Todo list, Memo Pad (notes), Calendar, and Address book, I've been able to continue rolling my data along since about 1997 or so. (I originally started out with DayTimer Address book before moving to their full-blown version.)
I get alarms when things are due, I can take notes at a meeting (with a folding keyboard), always have someplace to dump thoughts such as
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Let me recommend... (Score:2)
Consider Symbian. (Score:4, Informative)
The nice thing about them is that they double as a telephone, and are about the same size as well.
Also made my Erricson and other phone manufacturers, and open source programmable... Lot of apps to D/L free or for fee as well.
GrpA
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I personally don't care for symbian, but there is a huge amount of value (for me) in having my PDA be a part of my phone.
I've tried palm's, which I liked, from the first Pilot, to the Clie UX-50, and the biggest failure of every one, was that I would _sometimes_ leave it home, because of some reason or another.
I'm now using Windows Mobile on my Cingular 8125, and so far I've been quite happy, mostly because I _never_ leave my phone at home. But my work PC is
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None of the above (Score:3, Interesting)
Seriously, after fighting through multiple PalmOS devices, each having a prettier display and more manufacturing defects than the one before it, I've taken my own advice above. I prefer the latter for its sleek lines and excellent performance, although the former still has my respect for its near-infinite adaptability.
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While the moleskines address those points, I never understood the fad. It is so completely overpriced & overhyped. I've received & diligently used a couple as gifts. The pape
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Agreed. I remember looking at some after hearing all the hype and thinking... "What's so magical about this notebook versus that one that this one is close to triple the price?" - I couldn't come up with
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Too true. On the other hand, the yearly planner is just shy of $13, and makes you instantly more attractive to every woman at the coffee shop. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. I'm already married and the best I can hope for is a cute barista not thinking I'm a complete dork, but the principle stands.
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For me, the up and comer is the HTC Wizard, which you can't buy independantly, but has been rebranded by several cell phone companies as their own "exclusive" offering. A thumboard that doesn't cause carpal tunnel for my medium-sized hands is a grand start, the auto-switch between p
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Obligatory "Hipster" Post (Score:5, Insightful)
I've gone through the PALM, Clie (which runs Palm OS), and the Sharp Zaurus. The Zaurus is good, but the batteries would always die on me. Paper is great!
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When I was in Japan I picked up a spare external battery for my Z. Harder to find here but I think some are marketed for handheld game systems, just need to find the right voltage and connector.
...until you want to enter whatever you wrote into a computer.
I find it easier to type things (journal entries, poems, various small documents) the first time and be able to load them into my PC immediately when I want, rather tha
PDA or "mini computer?" (Score:2)
This could be useful, but there's obviously a size/weight tradeoff. Since I still own my Z: how large was the battery & how long would the extra juice last?
Indeed--when my Z wasn't being used as a toy (wireless, seeing which esoteric apps I can run, etc.), I'd be TeXing someting up or coding a bit on it. But typing stuff you intend to keep li
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I'd say it's abut twice the size of a Zippo lighter, actually somewhat smaller than that. Holds enough of a charge to run my Z for two hours or writing, I haven't tested it longer than that.
Actuall
IIIxe (Score:1)
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If you ever buy another palm, pick one that doesn't do much. No mp3, video playing and the like. Not only you'll save money but much more importantly, you'll have a crappy battery life if you pick the kitchen sink models.
Beside,
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If you ever buy another palm, pick one that doesn't do much. No mp3, video playing and the like. Not only you'll save money but much more importantly, you'll have a crappy battery life if you pick the kitchen sink models.
Battery life really has come down a lot from the old Palm Vx days (actually I started out on the Palm Pro, but the Vx and then the 515 were my favourites, with the Vx still being a favourite), but I get about 3-4 days out of my T|X. I had the Treo 650 and really wanted to love it, but
Palm OS (Score:4, Interesting)
I've had a Palm Pilot for the past few years. It's stable, compatible, and is the best organization software I've ever used. Pocket PC's with Windows CE (or whatever it's called these days) tend to cost a bit more, and sure, I think the operating system is more robust and flexible, but this is a device where simplicity is a feature. Also keep in mind that PalmOS is fully programmable (you can download the development libraries after registration--available for linux), and there exists a wealth of apps for it. On wi-fi enabled units, you can get such things as browsers and ssh clients (more then enough to satisfy the geek in you). PalmOS is also compatible with lots of linux apps (eg evolution plugins)
Also, regardless of bells and whistles, it's a solid organizer--everything you need is right there in one package. In fact, you can get a cheap Zire without dropping more than $99, and you'll get all the organizing goodness of PalmOS (no features barred, same interface) as well as a generous 32mb or so of RAM (how many people do you know?). That cheap model won't have a fancy pants screen or play mp3's, but you bet your granny's knickers you'll be organized. Feel like spending a little more? Get a Tungsten E2--plenty of RAM, gorgeous screen, media playback, SD slot, and enough features spared to allow you to keep things simple and straightforwad and the price tag low (eg no wifi or bluetooth, but doesn't your cell phone do that? Or your laptop? Or...oh hell, just check your schedule).
Whatever you choose to buy, you won't regret it. To those who need them, a sturdy organizer is worth its weight in gold, and Palm knows how to make that work. They also how to please your geeky self.
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if a wm2003 device seems to be difficult, just install some other organizer software on it.
programming on wm devices is easy to start, too.
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slim pickings (Score:3, Informative)
The Symbian OS is primarly for smartphones [symbian.com], and unfortunately they usually make for lousy PDAs. But if you're still interested check out the Nokia E61 [nokia.com] or Sony Ericsson M600i [sonyericsson.com]. Same could be said about RIM's Blackberry OS.
There's also an plethora of quirky, mostly-discontinued embedded linux PDAs [linuxdevices.com], including the geek-famous Zaurus [sharpusa.com].
If you thought having only two major players for PDA OS's was unfortunate, Palm has started replacing the Palm OS with Windows Mobile on some of their own hardware [palm.com].
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PDA? They Still Make Those? (Score:3, Insightful)
More importantly -- and you'll thank me for this in about 10, 15 years -- the arrangement encourages me to think about "computer stuff" when I'm near a computer, and not on line for the ballet or at the beach. Remember, there are other, stealthier ways for the machines to win besides the plotlines for those Terminator or Matrix movies....
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Obviously, everyone's situation is different
Been there, broken a few (Score:3, Informative)
- QWERTY is your friend. When going from class-to-class, there is no way you can use the handwriting input fast enough to get assignments down. Physical keyboards are best. Windows Mobile has the best on-screen.
- Don't worry about platform compatibility with a WM PDA. PocketMac (http://www.pocketmac.net [pocketmac.net]) is a great piece of software (used it form the HP 4350). It's actually more reliable than ActiveSync, in my experience.
- Personally, for storing class and assignment info, I prefer WM. Newer Palms with better calendar software may be better, but this is my experience with Treo 600.
- Consider a smartphone. It's a lot easier, especially for contacts. For example, I keep all of my professors' office hours in notes attached to their contact entries. Makes it really easy to access the info.
- Get a sturdy case. When you're running from one end of campus to the other, you will drop your PDA and/or phone. My failure to do so is one reason I now have a Q (who knew 5 drops onto pavement was the Treo's limit?). I like aluminum ones; then again, I'm a klutz.
If you have questions, feel free to contact me. Always glad to help a fellow student.Re: (Score:2)
So you only have Windows and Macs as platforms? Nice...
You are forgetting about Linux (for starters), so yes, I'd worry about platform compatibility, if you prefer not to use Windows.
My experience with PocketPC devices and Linux is that they don't match. There are programs out there
Palm OS is still the way to go (Score:4, Informative)
As a student I didn't find synchronization with a desktop PIM essential. I entered all my contacts and schedules on the PDA and used pilot-link on my Linux box for app installs and backups. Since I graduated and entered the workforce that's completely changed, but you have at least four years before you'll likely have to worry about that. Assuming you were the same way in high school, this gives you a bit more flexibility than I have in terms of picking a PDA; my need for Outlook synchronization meant I couldn't consider a Nokia 770 or a Zaurus, no matter how badly I wanted real Linux on my pocket device. My post from yesterday talks about why Windows Mobile and Symbian were out for me. That leaves . . . just Palm OS.
You mention cost. Brand-new Palm PDAs are as inexpensive as $99 for a Z22. Or, do what I did and get the Treo 700p; Amazon.com offers it for new Sprint or Verizon customers for as low as $250 after rebate and a two-year contract. Not a bad price for a combination of state-of-the-art Palm PDA and EV-DO-capable handset!
Sharp Zaurus 5500 (Score:1)
I have a Sharp Zaurus sl-5500 running the OpenZaurus [openzaurus.org] firmware and the only real issue I have is finding sync software. When I first got the PDA I installed Multi-Sync and had no problems syncing with Ximian Evolution. However, it seems Multi-sync has disappeared.
As for syncing to Windows/Outlook(TM) I believe the Qtopia desktop software will sync with the OpenZaurus firmware. You should be able to easily find the hardware on eBay...
-- Chop
Nokia (Score:3, Informative)
If or when it starts supporting Japanese input I'm getting one myself.
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Psion (Score:1)
A touch typable keyboard, great productivity tools, MS outlook and lotus compatibility, a raft of freeware apps, and a enthusiast community can't be beat.
Downsides include lack of multimedia support and slightly old hardware, but personally I value productivity over bells and whistles. The company's has since exitted the consumer market, and hence you'll ha
Some reasons NOT to get a PDA (Score:2)
Possibly for the following reasons:
-I don't need a device for mobile internet access. I can access the internet at home, at the office and at uni. If I want, I can take my laptop with me and go to a hotspot. And if I absolutely, desperately need to look something up on the internet or check my emails, I can do it with my cell phone. But I rarely ne
Alpha Geek PDA (Score:3, Insightful)
Nokia 770 and Google account (Score:3, Interesting)
Laptop. (Score:2)
I've found that in just about every class in college, I was allowed to use a laptop. Sure, it could be a distraction (IM, etc), but so can the cute girl two rows down in the lecture hall. And if you can handle distractions, the laptop really can't be beat.
Wireless in every building, good reception (if not an actual access point) in every classroom and lecture hall. A full keyboard (it's a Powerbook) on which to type notes -- much faster than
less widgets, more thought (Score:2)
If you want GPS, music playing, games, contacts, alarms, and whatnot all in one device you'll need a piece of hardware - but these days your celphone probably does all the address book stuff that PDAs were originally sold for.
less widgets, more processing. (Score:1, Insightful)
For example in a classroom setting the professor is writing on a electronic blackboard with wireless piconet capability. Your "cellphone" could tap into that (more reliable than using a camera for those of you thinking ahead), and for the professor's voice the "cellphone" microphone will do.* The "always-on" part comes in handy for heavy-lift
Nokia E70 (Score:2)
I understand what you're wishing for. (Score:1)
Keyboard.... (Score:3, Informative)
I tossed my WinCE device after a month of struggling to do anything useful with it, and bought a Psion 5. I used it daily for the next couple years. Not just taking little notes, mind you. I would write-up entire multi-page reports, with the proper font, spacing, headers, etc. Then I'd often switch over to the drawing programs, sketch out a damn-good diagram, and insert it into the report, and print the whole thing out via one of 2 IrDA laserjet printers that were around. Not to mention that 2 AA batteries would power it for over a week of CONSTANT 24/7 use (one time, just before finals). And this was back when WinCE would go apeshit and screw-up or hang, if you just tried to italicize text.
These days, things have gone backwards. Psion became Symbian, and now you practically can't find any with keyboards, let alone B&W screens which work in direct sunlight, and run for about a month on a pair of AAs. And a tall narrow screen can't even compete with a wide (640x240) screen.
So there's my advice. Do your best to find a Symbian/Psion PDA with a B&W landscape LCD screen, full keyboard, slots for CF/SD, and standard-sized batteries.
It's a bit of a cop-out, I know, because you'll be lucky to find a new PDA with ONE of those features, never mind ALL of them.
And no, I won't sell you mine. The only thing my (now old) Psion 5 has against it, is lack of ethernet or WiFi adapters, which are indispensible today.
Look at a Dana from AlphaSmart (Score:3, Interesting)
* B/W landscape screen
* Full-size keyboard, one of the best I've ever used, on any computer
* Standard-sized rechareagble batteries (3 x AA)
* Runs 30 hours on one charge
* Two SD slots
* Infrared
* USB connection for printer
* USB connection for synchronisation, also charges the device
* Wifi
The screen works in direct sunlight, and also in dim light. The only drawback is that it does
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Deja Vu: http://hardware.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=81100 &threshold=-1&mode=nested&cid=7135808 [slashdot.org]
That thing is twice as heavy as the Psion 5, and FAR bigger. 2X as wide, 10X as deep(!), etc.
I don't need a "full" keyboard, the Psion's half-pint keyboard was plenty big enough. Folding would be a big plus, but even with that, it needs to be significantly smaller, and lighter.
If I wanted something that big, I'd just carry around an actual notebook.
Get a PDA, not a "computer" (Score:4, Insightful)
The Palm is the one I use day in and day out. If Handera hadn't folded, I might still be on my Handera 330, which wasn't even color.
Here is what you need:
1. Datebook/calendar software of some sort.
2. Usable text entry.
3. A good alarm.
4. Decent battery life.
That's it. Day in and day out, that's what matters. Can you take a note quickly enough to get it down before you forget? Can you get the alarm to go off at the time you need it to, and will it do common things (snooze for 10 minutes, for instance) with simple clicks?
If you can get that, you're done. You have a PDA. Do not let "features" distract you. My Compaq iPaq, with a 640x480 screen, untold memory, both SD and CF slots, wifi, and so on, sits on a shelf somewhere. My Palm with Datebook5 goes with me ABSOLUTELY EVERYWHERE. There is no comparison. PalmOS is technically inept; so what? It works. When an alarm is due, the machine makes a piercing noise I can detect even if the PDA is in a bag. It can go in a bag without breaking instantly. If I forget to charge it for a day, it still works.
In short, it's a kickass PDA. Which is what I want. Yeah, I would like it if PalmOS sucked less. But PocketPC isn't in the running, and after a couple of months trying to run various Linux-hosted PDA apps, I went back to Datebook5. It's just plain better.
If you want a portable computer, think of that as totally distinct from your PDA. The portable computer is for hacking on, for debugging interesting problems, for spending a week wondering why you can't get a new kernel to work with the sound hardware. The PDA runs one or two off the shelf apps and does it reliably and consistently.
My decision. (Score:2)
Palm T|X with 4 GB card an ideal solution (Score:1)
Think: Missing Sync (Score:1)
So, look
Nokia 770 (Score:2)
To sum it up for me:
+ runs linux
+ active developer community (with regular updates through apt-get/maemo garage etc)
+ relatively cheap
+ (desktop) apps are relatively easily ported (gnumeric, gpe,
+ has wifi, usb and bluetooth, headphones out, a mic, and a mini-speaker
+ gorgeous screen (800x480 high-dpi)
+ decent form design
- no keyboard (though you could use blueto
WM smartphones with WiFi are a good choice (Score:2)
It's working decently with my Mac. Bluetooth
Another vote for Palm (Score:2)
I don't even use my PDA. (Score:1)
I have a $15 durable cell phone that goes everywhere with me, and a Google Calendar account. It serves all the same basic calendar functions as a PDA, and will send you SMS alerts before appointments.
Also keep in mind that you (should!) have a laptop with you at all times at college, so you can "take notes" in class. Bejewled is