Any T3 software for college students?

[Holyoak]

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of software for a college student? Something to organize when papers or assignments are due, and all that sort of thing? Or do most students find the standard Palm Organizer sufficient? I would like to maximize my palm for school. I did a search in the forums but couldn't find anything.

Thanks

[IndyDave]

Buy and learn to use apps that apply to life beyond school. That's what school is about after all. If it can schedule classes and school projects it should also schedule work meetings and such. Some packages marketed at students are just modified regular apps, with different catergory names.

I've looked at most, and demo'd many (now in 5th yr PharmD student). Generally, I've found better apps from the general pool than anything that is "customized" for students. Use your college years to learn SW that is applicable to life "outside" whether for PC or PDA. Why become proficient at something that may be of little use beyond college?

If I'd spent the time reading manuals for extremely flexible, powerful programs like DateBk that I did searching and demo'ing software tailored to students, it would have been a better use of my time. Just my perspective as I get ready to start integrating classroom to real world during clinical rotations....Best of luck!

[IndyDave]

ColorCards looks interesting for memorization tasks. For learning historical dates, people, terminology, (medications!),etc. I haven't used, but it appears to be what I was looking for to memorize drug names, side effects, etc. A little expensive at 24.95 USD IMO but it would have been a nice database to have. Most of the index cards I created along the way are either trashed, lost, or in such disarray as to be useless now. If it had been on PDA, I would have a searchable collection. Oh well...:(

[Vidge]

A couple of titles that I've seen recommended:

4.0 Student (http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&SID=A28A4A6F-CF18-A787-A84C96639F03E99B&PartnerREF=&prodID=7249)

Due Yesterday (http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&prodid=8816)

I would also recommend looking into a database program that you could use for stuff like this. Maybe SmartList to Go (http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&SID=A28A4A6F-CF18-A787-A84C96639F03E99B&PartnerREF=&prodID=4686) or MobileDB (http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&SID=A28A4A6F-CF18-A787-A84C96639F03E99B&PartnerREF=&prodID=1384)

HTH

[motionmind]

I used to use 4.0 Student while in school and it worked out great. I didn't want to use my separate calendar and database apps since I didn't want to clutter things up by mixing school stuff in with my "real life" appointments etc.

[LanMan]

Go with Due Yesterday. It's has a freeware Palm and desktop option. I recommend it to my students!

[Antoine]

I used Due Yesterday and Progect (both freeware). I founf Progect much better at handling when I had projects due that had multiple sub tasks. Due Yesterday is good, and it worked for a while. I found that the best mix comes from a few 3rd party programs and the buitl in apps. For example, I would have my schedule within datebook and used progect for when i had papers due that had a rolling date for pieces of the paper due. Progect was also good at allowing me to set up my entire syllabus and the dates for things due. It was so good that i actually forgot that things were due because I wasnt looking at a hard syllabus.

Another good set of apps would be Documents to Go. Make sure that you use the bookmarking function as that is very helpful in helping you to get to important areas in your notes. Plus it saves files as native word/excel docs. That make it easy to print if you have printers that have IR ports at your school (you dont have to go thru a computer all the time)

Finally, use Plucker/JPluck as a offline website reader. You can find it quite easy to keep up with news and the like, therefore always being ready to contriibute within your class discussions. Hope that all helps :)

As for the comment about using apps that prepare you for the real world, Progect and Due Yesterday both do that. I think Progect makes you think more, thereby making you a better overall planner. It doesnt have the grading functions or anything school specific, but it does make you think more along the lines of post collegic thoughts.

PS: I am a graduate of Millersville Universiry (Dec. 02) and used a handheld exclusively in my final 2 years of school. I now am a website designer and teach using handhelds as a part of a time management course during the summer.

[IndyDave]

4.0 Student seemed like a good idea to me once. Until I saw that I would have to buy the desktop version in order for it to be fully useful.

The project planner sounds good.

If the student is in high school, some of the student SW might be worthwhile but I believe the time is better spent using broader based sw. If you see an opport to use beyond college life, the purchase might be better investment long-term. There is a learning curve associated with most SW, mostly in how to incorporate into your personal workflow or modify your workflow to incorporate the advantages of the program. This typically evolves over time. Becoming functional is usu fairly quick. Proficiency usu takes experience and time adapting the capabilities to situations and opportunities that arise.

School is part of my life, and I don't usually separate it from my other obligations. It has to integrate with the whole, so I include together, and use categories to separate. Just my way...whatever works!

[derekweb]

A couple of Freeware-type applications (downloadable at PalmGear OR www.freewarepalm.com) that a Student would find of use:
Due Yesterday (as mentioned above! Simplicity and excellence).
KsDatebook (use add-on's "MakeSpot" and "DateSpot". You can color code your days for Exams, Vacations, etc and ties in to built in DateBook application).
HappyDays (Birthday Minder)
ZLauncher (cheapest and arguably one of the best Launching Utils)
SC-103PC (Scientific Calculator, based on the HP Calcs)
EZ-Convert (You'll find a use, I'm sure, being in school)
FileProg / FileZ (either or. Pick one, or load both. Good stuff!)
(*Note: Get a backup utility that backs up your handheld to SD Card).
McPhling
SnapCalc5 (if you have an OS5 device)
Matrix Screensaver (just for kicks, make sure you get version 2)

[Holyoak]

What is a Launcher btw? Is that like the application thing that comes with the palm? I really don't know much... I just saw the T3 in the store and bought it... I figured the standard software was good, but now I see all these new apps...

[derekweb]

A Launcher is the Main application that you see when you turn on the T3 (or any handheld). Its basically how your applications are stored and presented to you for possible activation.

ZLauncher is a bit complex, but it's the cheapest of the lot ($12 USD at Palmgear) and you can really fine tune it. But, it's a learning curve. So just go slow and enjoy the view.

Most people get a Launcher to overcome the standard Palm Launcher inability to sort applications stored on a Card in with the rest of the applications that are stored on RAM. Plus most launchers come with a built in variation of a File Manager. Most of these file managers, by the way, are decent, but none of them will ever "do enough". That is why I also suggested FileProg or FileZ. I have a third file manager on my own T3, FileMan. Between the 3 of them, I can do quite a bit of management of files.

Some launcher programs for you to look into for your own edification.

- ZLauncher (found at PalmGear)
- Launcher X (found at PalmGear)
- AppShelf (found at Handango)
- Facer (found at PalmGear)
- Launch'Em (found at PalmGear - Possibly Freeware too)
- MegaLauncher (found at PalmGear)

Try those and have some fun. Good luck.

[IndyDave]

Tanker Bob did a pretty thorough review of launchers over at PDA Buyer's Guide. Might check it out to compare features.

[derekweb]

I remember that review. He did indeed a very thorough, unbiased (as a human CAN be for such a thing) and detailed review of SEVERAL Palm Launchers.

In short, he actually prompted me to register my Trial copy of ZLauncher. Now I'm up to having a valid license on no less than THREE Launchers! ROFLMAO!

I personally have registered the following applications:
AppShelf (Love the backgrounds, just took a little getting used to with the application dialog)
ZLauncher (It can be as complicated or simple as you prefer. Just has a HUGE learning curve, what with all of the options available.)
Launcher X (very simple, quick and intuitive. Just not as feature robust as ZL)

[jackass]

Hello. I would like to refer you to our product School Planner. It is very powerful and it is free. I hope our product helps you Holyoak!

School Planner. (http://palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&prodID=53451)
http://images.palmgear.com/software/screenshots/160x160/53451.gif
School Planner is designed to help you become a better student by helping you organize your homework, tests/quizzes, and porjects. All of us at Area89 hope that this program opens up a new and better student in you! Please enjoy and use this product to the fullest extent.

[derekweb]

The software looks good. I'll have to download it and give it a shot to see how it works.

Thanks for the heads up Cliekid

[lesliefranke]

Generally, I've found better apps from the general pool than anything that is "customized" for students. Use your college years to learn SW that is applicable to life "outside" whether for PC or PDA. Why become proficient at something that may be of little use beyond college?

My exact feelings. I have found that other than maybe Due Yesterday there are regular programs at there that will do a much better job than the specialized student apps. As recommended I would try SmartListTo Go or HanDBase (http://www.ddhsoftware.com/). Either one of these will do a better job that almost all of the specialized apps and you can customize them to your needs.