Re: OT - PDA's

I use SplashShopper -- sounds like it does exactly the same things. I have my grocery list there, my list of office supplies, list of quilting supplies needed, book list, movie list, etc.

For word processing and spreadsheet I use Documents To Go, which links up with Word, Excel, Appleworks, and lots of other documents types on your computer, both Mac and Windoze. It keeps the stuff in sync, so if you change the spreadsheet on the PDA, it changes the one on your computer, and vice versa. It's fabulous for doing orders around the store (I walk around putting quantities into the PDA, sync up, and can then use the full screen of the computer to see what I'm doing without reentering any data), and I like having the word processor that syncs up with Word -- on the plane I whipped out my detachable keyboard and dashed off a couple of letters so I didn't feel bad about playing crosswords the rest of the time. :)

I've also just gotten a nice little database program made by the same people (

, NAYY) called SmartList To Go. I was prettyamazed at how full powered that database is, but very easy to use. I'mtransfering my book and movie lists to it (because I can link an item to myaddress book and keep track of who has borrowed what, or who I've borrowedit from), and I wrote a nifty little database to track the squares I'llreceive and owe in the baseball swap. Both of those programs have free trials at , againNAYY.

Thanks, Kathy! I'm going to give them a try. :)

After having innumerable run ins, near misses and almost crashes with drivers using their phones, Pdas, and other assorted gadgets designed to make their life easier, I have decided that I don't want or need anything more complicated that a notebook and pencil--OK, mabe a ball point. Everyone says that they are safe users--everyone claims that they can drive and use at the same time. I say that you are DELUDED! I'm with RagMop on this, "Hang Up and Drive! It's a vehicle, not a phone booth" (or an instant messaging center) RedQueen

Even though I plan to get a PDA, I will not use it when I'm driving! :o)

Hopefully you aren't trying to use a pencil and notebook while driving, either! :)

(A distraction is a distraction, whether it's a gadget, a kid, or just plain daydreaming. Driving is too important to do while distracted.)

I have both a cell phone and a PDA, and I don't use either while I drive. Just having one doesn't mean you have to use it in dangerous situations. :) Of course, the research into this sort of hazard also shows that it's dangerous to eat, read the newspaper, shave, put on makeup, etc., while driving (I don't do those things either) -- some of those people may think they're driving safely because they aren't on the phone or using a PDA.... :)

I don't use my PDA when I drive. If I don't have my hands-free wire hooked up, I don't use my phone either. That would mean I would have to put down my bagel and coffee.

Ok, I'm only kidding about the eating part. Bagels aren't allowed on my eating plan! Down 40, 4 to go. Spent the day splurging at JC Penny's 60% off sale, plus another 15% off the whole bill with a "special" coupon only good today! I saved $231.41 - enough to buy a few FQ, doncha think?

To clarify - I don't use my PDA when I drive. If I don't have my hands-free wire hooked up, I don't use my phone either. Check your flamethrowers at the door!

Reminds me of the argument a friend has against answering machines. He says they don't really want one because he calls people long distance that have answering machines and they don't return his calls. What's that got to do with 'him' having an answering machine!? He & his wife are next to impossible to get hold of sometimes because they refused to have an answering machine. Their son moved back home & got an answering machine (he works for one of the long distance companies). Trouble is, the answering machine is down in the basement, so they still don't check their messages if you do leave one!

And he hasn't gotten their hint? *snorfle*

I had a friend who refused to leave messages on my answering machine because "I hate talking to a machine". I told her to just let loose with a few choice swear words -- she'd feel better, and I'd know who it was and would return her call! She decided maybe she *could* leave a message after all. :)

Howdy! Your Majesty! Thank you.

I have a Palm m515. It has 16MB of memory, color, and a backlight. I love it. It is now about $250 from

It comes bundled with Documents To Go which allows you to create and edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents from the PDA. It also comes bundled with PhotoSuite which allows you to have color pictures on your Palm. About half of my pictures are of my quilts!

The 16MB is enough for me to carry 2 drug references in the Palm (I am a pharmacist - this is important for me), lots of pictures in PhotoSuite, my normal datebook & address book, AvantGo (news and new jokes every day) as well as lots of games.

The backlight IS important to me. It means that I can read AvantGo or play games in the car at night (while DH is driving). My kids love to play the games as well - they think my Palm is Mom's Gameboy.

Kim

I can't really afford to go that high. I've just about decided on the Sony Clie SJ20 - unless I see something at the store I like better for a good price. About the only thing yours has that the Clie doesn't have is color! I decided that I could do without color although it would be nice.

No, Kathy, all I do when I drive is drive. I don't play with the radio, I don't put on my makeup, talk on the phone, eat, read the paper, or, turn around and talk to whoever is in the backseat (all of which I have seen in just the past week.) RedQueen

One thing that's nice about color though, is it's easier on the eyes because the text is black on white. Compare a color vs. monochrome one in the store before you decide!

Meghan

Yeah, I know - but, there's also the difference of $70 to $100 for the color! I would love color, not sure I want to spend that much more to get it!

The games are better in color. So are the pictures.

Kim

Just chuckling, and back to MY comment about all that. I defended five (FIVE!) "cell-phone-wreck" cases, during the last year I litigated. I lost every single one of them ...

And as far as I am concerned, JUSTICE WAS DONE!

Hang up and drive. AND, shut the damn' things off when you go into a meeting (just plain RUDE), a movie theater (just plain rude) ... or a restaurant. You need HELP to order your lunch, from someone who isn't even THERE? You can't do without him/her/it for a whole hour? (then why are you in the restaurant?) Or are you just showin' off?

Grins, Sairey

Judy Grevenites wrote:

Finally decided that while was buying a PDA, I would splurge and get the color. Ended up with the Sony Clie SJ-33. Part of my yardsale money from a couple weeks ago helped pay for it! Haven't even had time to open the box yet.

We're packing to head up in the Idaho mountains on Thursday to the little town of Yellow Pine (population 45) for the annual Harmonica Festival. I may take my PDA along and play with it in the pickup on the drive up (about a 6 hour drive - the last 28 miles a narrow, winding dirt road).