own a PDA?

[legoman]

How useful a PDA is, really depends on you.

For me, I tried all kinds of manual solutions, including Filofax etc., but the Palm (IIIx) is the first thing that works for me. I think the reason is:
1) It syncs with my PC/Outlook. Most of my new address and calendar information arrives via email, so it gets entered there at least and later synced.
2) I have it always with me, so no scribbling on paper and then sticking in the Filofax somewhere. No, I can just whip out the Palm and actually write it down.
3) The coolest thing is, it can beep and say "go to meeting x". My calendar, I just rarely looked at, so even if something was in there, I often forgot.

The one thing I found for me, though, is that I rarely use anything but the basic address / to do / calendar functions. The only exceptions are Diddle Bug (also a reminder application) and Bubblet (got to pass the time somehow).
HOWEVER: I really encourage Palm owners to consider buying Datebook 4. It really enhances the original applications while retaining full database and thus syncing compatibility. For me, I just can't live without alarms on my to dos etc.

My advice: Find other people with a similar messiness quotient / organizing attitude than you, and then see if it works for them. For me, if the hyperorganized people have palms says nothing about whether it works for me. When another messy / slightly creatively organized guy with similar habits than mine started to successfully use it, I knew it was time to give it a shot.

 

[mikeg]

I do all the usual things with my Palm IIIxe, and also word processing. I use a folding full size keyboard, and then transfer the text to my computer for final formatting and printing. I always wear the Palm in a case on my belt. A bit anal, but it suits my needs.

 

[jlo mein]

eh i guess i am not a PDA type guy...

i bought that Casio pocket viewer....it was fun for about 2 days...after that i found out how little i actually needed it...it just takes too long to get information in and out....i like using scraps of paper instead...

glad to say i got my full refund...time to waste it on sony v6's

...

that is if some kind american soul would ship it to me so i dont have to pay duty...

 

[lan]

I have 2 a Palm V and a Hitachi eplate (tablet based PocketPC Pro based). When I was working a fulltime job, the Palm V was good for projects and reading stuff while on the subway. Now it's pretty much useless. I can't even use it as a universal remote control since it doesn't have enough range. Damn! The eplate, I use w/ a wireless LAN card to remote control my other computers, do email, AOL IM. It has it's fair share and eventhough I just got a laptop, there's just something about the instant on about the PDA which is cool.

 

[zowie]

So, who know what's a reasonably priced, reasonably convenient PDA set-up that will be able to play MP3's?

 

[redshifter]

i have a palm m105 (b&w, 2mb) and a cassiopiea somethingorother (color, 16mb) that was being thrown away, and i took it home and repaired. i gave up on the casio because i got sick of struggling with the idiotic windows os on it. i'd rather use my weak little palm. i use it for phone numbers, games, and notes, sometimes to remind me of appointments.

i tried using the casio for mp3 once, and it sounded like total crap. i'll stick to my d777, r50 and cha47, thank you.

 

[Sol_Zhen]

To the original student poster:

All you need is an entry-level Palm or Handspring unit using the Palm OS.

Don't waste your money on crap gimmicks you don't need. Use Palm and sync it with your Outlook program to keep contacts and schedules straight.

Then download dope-wars. That's all you need.

Simple is better. These are robust products that aren't as finicky or delicate as the more expensive things out there.

Use the money you save on audio related products and beer.

 

[jlo mein]

well ya considering i never bought a PDA even after this thread i think the search is over lol...

I finally decided that its more cost efficient to write things in a paper planner instead of spending $170 canadian on the cheapest palm pilot available...so the funds to buy a PDA have been "redirected" to buying v6's....or perhaps something else...

....i still havent decided yet lol...

more concerned right now about the crapiness of my JMT CHA47 amp when i use a energizer rechargable in it....i dont want to keep buying Duracell alkalines but they sound the best....argh...

 

[darkclouds]

yeah, well, I bought the Sony Clie when it first came out. I thought it would really help me schedule appointments with patients and etc. After about a month of use, I came to the conclusion that it was much more efficient to just stick to my planner, ie, write it out with pen and paper. It was just too slow and a pain to right it down with a palm device, at least for me.

So my clie has been sitting around for over a year, and is collecting dust, no joke.

 

[williamgoody]

I just got a Palm 515 and so far, I think it's great. I did it solely so I wouln't carry around a bunch of paper in my wallet all the time, plus I could keep things like my workout schedule, checking info, etc. on it. It does take come getting used to, but as you integrate it into your habits, it's pretty efficient.

 

[Audio Redneck]

Quote:

Originally posted by jlo mein wow this keeps getting more expensive than i thought....lol just like headphones ....... Now ppl keep on telling me that i should get a Palm (asked this question on 3 diff forums i visit, all say i should buy Palms). While a Palm may be great and have more features, the cheapest one i've found is the Palm m105 for $115 canadian ($75US). Now this is a whole different price range than i originally thought (only $25US). Do i really need a Palm?...

I don't know, but if you want to try one for cheap, check out older models on ebay (palm pilot, palmIII). They often go for $20-30 and would give you a good feel of if you will really will use one. Plus, most of the accessorys for the older ones work with the newer ones, so if you upgrade, most of your stuff will still be useful.

Of course, your decision to stick with a paper planner is probably good too.

And no, I don't have a Palm, as between my laptop and my Nokia 3285 cell phone, I have almost everything I would need a palm for.

 

[Gergor]

I like to buy gadgets, but somehow PDA just never works for me. For me there's nothing like a good old Franklin Covey paper planner to keep me organized. Considered that I'll have to buy refill every year (plus all kind of accessories) for the Franklin planner, it's actually expensive compared to a PDA.

However, I used to have a consumer version of Blackberry, and now I own a web phone. Both have some sort of organizer (PDA)functions, I love them both very much, but I just never use those organizer's functions.

 

[rajan]

My first and current one. I still have it after 2 years. I use it for everything: desktop mails, schedules, tasks, the works. I read a lot of e-books and even download interesting threads from this forum (or any webpage) into iSilo format for bedtime reading. Others find handphones to be indispensible. I find my Palm to be one (more so than any handphone).

My next stop would be a Palm with bluetooth and my first handphone hopefully with bluetooth too.

 

[neil]

I love my Palm IIIx. I don't imagine I'd ever change my handheld platform. The computer-based Palm app is also very streamlined, quick, and clean. I find my stuff immediately, and have data in there from 5 years ago (meeting notes, contacts, etc.). I'm not into having the latest and greatest (thinnest, high-color display, blah blah). I just want one that can survive, well, me. And the IIIx is holding up.

 

[mikeg]

I've been wearing my Palm IIIxe strapped to my belt, using a belt case, for several years. Like neil, I use it for the usual uses, but I also use it for "word processing." I use it in combination with a folding full size keyboard to prepare memos, e-mails, and all sorts of correspondece, which I then transfer to my computer for final editing. A great advantage of using the Palm in this way is that the batteries last much much longer than those of laptop computers, and it's also a lot easier to carry the Palm around with me then to drag a laptop. In the past I've also used the Palm to download and read e-books. Hundreds of wonderful books are available for free for use with the Palm in this manner.