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View Full Version : Help a Pocket PC Convert


gswilder
03-09-2003, 10:43 AM
Over the years, I have gone back and forth between the Palm and Pocket PC platforms. Just recently I purchased a Clie NZ90 after being on the Pocket PC "side" for over a year. There is a lot I like about the Sony and they have really advanced the Palm platform from what I remember before.

I really want to like the Sony, but I need some help with issues and some questions answered. Much of these are probably just lack of knowledge and "user" issues, but I appreciate all feedback.


1) Ebooks and Readers - this is one of my main uses of a PDA. I've searched and read many threads. Which ebook reader do you all suggest? None of the ones I have tried seem to look as good as eBooks on the Pocket PC. (Formatting, navigation) Also, there do not seem to be as many ebooks out there already setup for the Palm format. (honestly, there seem to be too many different formats) I mainly like business and self help kind of books. What are sites that have commercial ebooks for recent releases?

Also, are there any tools that can convert .lit format to the Palm format? Which tools are good at converting text, doc, pdf files to a format that the palm can read well?

I also want an ebook reader that users the full 320x480 screen.


2) Apps that use the full capabilities of the Clie. Are there sites where these are listed? I want programs (apps, games, etc) that use the hi-res and full 320x480 resolution. Quiet honestly, there just do not seem to be as many apps for the palm platforms out there. (Don't flame me, just my opinion at this point.)

3) File System utilities - I seem to have more trouble on the Clie doing basic file operations. (browse, move, copy, delete) So far, I am only using the Sony supplied utils. Are there better options out there?

Overall, it just seems confusing moving apps between internal and MS. I have too be more careful to make sure my apps can find their data, for example.


4) Bible Application - another key use of my PDA. I've tried a couple, including the OliveTree Bible. However, I cannot find one that uses the entire 320x480 screen. I used to use Laridian on the Pocket PC platform, but I cannot tell if theirs uses the full screen real estate. I don't mind paying, if I can find what I want.

5) A good case for the NZ90?

6) Web browsing - just go my Wifi card for the NZ90. What browser does the best job on the most sites?

Also, is there a list of sites that are formatting specifically for Palm or PDA type devices.

7) Where can I get a replacement stylus to fit in the NZ90 slot? I am afraid I am going to loose mine.

8) Is there anything like Zinio, where I can subscribe and download electronic magazines?

9) What other sites than this have lots of news, information, reviews, etc on the Sony Clie and other Palm devices?

I'm sure there are more I cannot think of at this time. Again, this is not to start some debate or flame war. I really want to like the Palm/Clie type platform. Any help is really appreciated. Thanks....

JOHNGAETANO
03-09-2003, 11:24 AM
Greg,

I'll help where I can. There are alot of people here who forgot more than I know.

First, most software can be found at Palmgear.com

1. Ebook Readers? There are alot. Try Palm Reader Pro for starters.

2. Apps the use full caabilities of the NR? Again go to Palmgear and you will which programs support HIREZ.

3. I use FILEZ for a file utility program. It works great.

4. Bible? Try Palmgear.com


5. There has been a lot of talk about this. Currently I just put the NR in my back pocket. I know Sony Style sells one just for the NR, but it's been reported here as twice as big as the NR. I'm waiting to see what else comes out.

6. Web browsing. Net Front is ok, but you may want to try pocketlink or blazer.

7. You can buy replacement stylus at Sonystyle.com

See ya

JOHN

lisabeth
03-09-2003, 11:53 AM
John is right, wilder, palmgear has the largest selection of apps, with the ability to search by category.
Let's see, the best app for moving apps to memory stick is PowerRun.
Lots of readers out there-personal choice: mobipocket-news and doc reader; avantgo has news; tomeraider is a decent doc reader.
File utility: I'm using myworkbench.
I think Sony has replacement stylus(es?, ii?)
Be patient, my friend, it's an awesome machine, and changing platforms will take a little getting used to. You'll be very happy once you get to know the ins and outs. Half the fun is in discovering them. :)

lisabeth
03-09-2003, 11:54 AM
Oh, I'm using tealdoc as a doc reader.

JOHNGAETANO
03-09-2003, 01:43 PM
I just realized was was calling my NZ-90 an NR-90. Sorry if I messed anyone up.

Partridge
03-11-2003, 10:08 AM
Reader: I'd go with Deepreader. It's the closest thing to what you're used to on the PocketPC (it has subpixel anti-aliasing for smoother text).

Accessories/ stylus: Run, don't walk, to http://shop.brando.com.hk/ and buy one of their screen protectors. Yes, the shopping cart method is weird. Yes they are in Hong Kong. Yes, it is worth $12 with shipping for a single screen protector. The one I had on my 760 lasted well over a year without significant degradation, and that was with me using whatever object i had handy as a stylus. You won't lose the stylus if you don't have to take it out as often, and it's really covenient to be able to just retract whatever ballpoint you happen to have picked up and use it without fear of scratching the screen.

File System: I use McFile, but the new built in manager is catching up.

kkerruish
03-11-2003, 10:32 AM
>>>1) I also want an ebook reader that users the full 320x480 screen. Also, there do not seem to be as many ebooks out there already setup for the Palm format.

I prefer Palmreader Pro. Of course, PalmReader Pro is available on the PPC as well...they aren't interested in keeping a proprietary format for information...they're interested in selling ebooks...

For books, go to:

www.baen.com
www.amazon.com
www.bn.com
www.peanutpress.com
www.fictionwise.com
www.memoware.com

Without question, there are far more DOC format publications available for the Palm than there are for the LIT reader on the PPC...you've just got to find them.

>>>2) Apps that use the full capabilities of the Clie. Are there sites where these are listed? I want programs (apps, games, etc) that use the hi-res and full 320x480 resolution. Quiet honestly, there just do not seem to be as many apps for the palm platforms out there. (Don't flame me, just my opinion at this point.)

No flames...you're just undereducated...:)

Go to www.clieplanet.com and on their site they have a listing of apps that take full advantage of the Clie's resolution.

As for other software, www.palmgear.com and www.handango.com have over 300,000 programs for the Palm...you just have to decide what you want to do with and search for it...I've yet to find something I wanted to do that wasn't already out there...

>>>3) File System utilities - I seem to have more trouble on the Clie doing basic file operations. (browse, move, copy, delete) So far, I am only using the Sony supplied utils. Are there better options out there?

I use McFile for file manipulation, I use T-Catalog to deal with file properties/permissions...T-Catalog is free, McFile has a slight price. I also use the freeware FILEZ depending on what I want to do.

>>>Overall, it just seems confusing moving apps between internal and MS. I have too be more careful to make sure my apps can find their data, for example.

Actually - it's so simple it appears difficult.

On the PPC - you have to INSTALL the app to the external card, you can't just move it. On the Palm, you can install it either place...if you want most launchers to see it, you put it in the \PALM\LAUNCHER directory.

My recommendation is usually to use PowerRun - which will move things back and forth and create a shortcut in your launcher to access it.


>>>4) Bible Application - I don't mind paying, if I can find what I want.

Good - as I found almost nothing was free in PPC land...but, you can also get the bible as 'books' and use your regular reader (Palmreader Pro) to read it...

I prefer MyBible...it's been a while since I installed and used it, so I cannot recall if it uses the full screen or not.

Coming from an OS that impedes on desktop space for any type of input, the concept of losing that space to the grafitti area for some apps might seem strange...but keep in mind that the amount of space still available when the grafitti area is visible on a Clie is still the same desktop space as the Pocket PC has when its grafitti area is closed...320 pixels...

>>>5) A good case for the NZ90?

I haven't bothered worrying about it...still fits in my front pants pocket, my vest pocket, even my shirt's front pocket...

>>>6) Web browsing - just go my Wifi card for the NZ90. What browser does the best job on the most sites?

Netfront does a really good job for most things. On a low bandwidth connection (cable to a cell phone), I tend to go back to Blazer2 and sacrifice screen resolution for speed.

>>>Also, is there a list of sites that are formatting specifically for Palm or PDA type devices.

I haven't run across one of these...

>>>7) Where can I get a replacement stylus to fit in the NZ90 slot? I am afraid I am going to loose mine.

See other responses to this...

>>>8) Is there anything like Zinio, where I can subscribe and download electronic magazines?

Take a look at www.handstory.com - which allows you to clip directly from a web browser, or setup clips that are downloadable upon request.

Another great app for this is www.isilo.com - both have a spot on my PDA...

>>>9) What other sites than this have lots of news, information, reviews, etc on the Sony Clie and other Palm devices?

I go to www.palminfocenter.com, www.clieplanet.com, www.brighthand.com and of course here is where I typically get the latest info - www.cliesource.com

>>>I'm sure there are more I cannot think of at this time. Again, this is not to start some debate or flame war. I really want to like the Palm/Clie type platform. Any help is really appreciated. Thanks....

Just ask - you'll usually get at least one response...:)

Clie-mama
03-11-2003, 10:58 AM
I cannot answer all of your questions since I am also a newbie to this, (have only owned my NZ90 for two weeks,) but I have recently become addicted to ebooks from another recommendation from the general board. Check out http://www.palmdigitalmedia.com/home.cgi for a wonderful selection of book titles, as well as for their Palm Reader Pro program, (which utilizes the entire screen and gives you a choice of fonts, colors, automatic scrolling, and the option of font smoothing for the best reading experience on your Clie!) I now have 6 novels downloaded to my MS, and spend every free minute reading. I LOVE my new Clie!! Welcome to the forum!!

kevin77
03-11-2003, 01:06 PM
I'm new here as well....this is a great forum. Thank you all for your thoughts. I'm learning so much listening to you all

oneeyesquare
03-11-2003, 02:08 PM
I even picked up some new knowledge!!! Hadn't even heard of a few of those book sources!!!