PDA Suggestions

[bscott at ntisys.com]

On 5 Jun 2003, at 11:13am, colet at code-energy.com wrote:
> Hi all - I'm in the market for a cheap (preferrably sub $100 if I'm not
> asking too much) PDA.

  I'll second the recommendation of a Palm m125.  While it is technically
"discontinued", you can still find many places which have them in-stock.  I
got one brand-new, still-in-the-shrink-wrap, from an Amazon Marketplace
vendor for $99 plus S/H.  You can also buy a refurbished unit direct from
Palm's website for $120 plus S/H.

  It sync's to Linux via USB just fine.  I did need to upgrade from the
version of pilot-link that came with Red Hat Linux 7.3 for it to work.  I
use pilot-xfer to do full backups of the device to the PC.  I also use
JPilot for when I want to do data exchange or entry with a full-size
keyboard.

  It comes with PalmOS 4.mumble.  PalmOS is a fairly simple OS, but that
generally works out in it's favor -- the user interface is elegant and easy
to use.  It includes a date book, address book, todo list, notepad, drawing
pad, expense tracker, and basic calculator.  There is a huge amount of
third-party software available for PalmOS as well, including a lot of
Free/Open Source Software.

  The m125's distinguishing characteristics are the MMC slot and the
"Universal Connector".  MMC (Multi-Media Card, AKA SD (Secure Digital)) is
yet another compact digital interface.  Storage cards are about the size of
a postage stamp.  You can, for example, get a M-W dictionary/thesaurus card
for about $40.  You also see things like Bluetooth interfaces, MP3 players,
etc.

  The "Universal Connector" is just a dual-mode USB/RS232 port.  There are
several hardware modules that clip on to it, though, so it is worth it.  
The m100 and m105 are RS232 only and don't work with such modules.

  I use my m125 all the time.  I won't say I can't live without it, but I
certainly do a lot better with it.  It reminds me of appointments and
events; I keep track of what I do at work; I make notes on things I want to
check out.  I basically use it as a "memory augmentation" device.

  Anything more than the m125, and you're basically paying for toys.  Color
screens use a lot more battery power and are harder to see in the sun; about
all they're good for is games and photos.  PocketPC I refuse to touch for
religious reasons.

  Incidentally: At the other end of the price spectrum, the Sony Clie
PEG-NZ90 is *really* neat.  Color flip screen, built-in 2 mega-pixel camera,
speaker, microphone, bluetooth... it can be a video camera, a still camera,
a voice recorder, an MP3 player... it's basically a really neat toy.  It
also costs $800.  :-/

-- 
Ben Scott <bscott at ntisys.com>
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