Software for T5

[constantine_j_k]

Hello,

I am about to buy a T5 and I am a newbie in Palm OS. I have seen some threads regarding software, but it is difficult to find the ones I exactly want. I have listed below the software for PPC I used to have and I would appreciate if you could tell me which are the equivalent Palm ones (preferably knowing that they work with T5).


Onega One Cal-1 (http://www.omegaone.com/calc/PPC/default.html):
# Full scientific calculator & base converter
# Currency converter with auto rate grab.
# Comprehensive Unit converter.
# Tip Calculator.
# RPN, DAL & Algebraic calculator modes.

httpMail Provider:
allows to syncronize hotmail accounts

HP wireless printing:
well, as the name implies, the software allows to print wirelessly

Today screen:
Is there any software that enables to view information as in the Today screen of PPCs?

Spb Pocket Plus (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/pocketplus/?en):
Today plug-in with tabs

Makayama DVD to Pocket PC:
This software squeezes a feature film onto a 128 MB memory card.

Would you recommend any other PIM application than the one already in the ROM? Any other nice productivity software for the T5???

Thank you

[STBXXL]

Hi,

I'd suggest to look at DateBk5 (http://www.pimlicosoftware.com/) (actual version is V-5.4a p2 for the T5). This is an outstanding PIM replacement with a wealth of features related to Calender and ToDo. I use it for >5 years now and I'm very happy with it.

Cheers.
Stefan

[Vidge]

Hello,

I am about to buy a T5 and I am a newbie in Palm OS. I have seen some threads regarding software, but it is difficult to find the ones I exactly want. I have listed below the software for PPC I used to have and I would appreciate if you could tell me which are the equivalent Palm ones (preferably knowing that they work with T5).


Onega One Cal-1 (http://www.omegaone.com/calc/PPC/default.html):
# Full scientific calculator & base converter
# Currency converter with auto rate grab.
# Comprehensive Unit converter.
# Tip Calculator.
# RPN, DAL & Algebraic calculator modes.

Take a look at the calculators available from powerOne. There is sure to be one that fits your needs (Does the T5 come with powerOne Personal? Earlier PalmOS PDAs did.)

httpMail Provider:
allows to syncronize hotmail accounts

Not sure if there are any out there but others may chime in with something.

HP wireless printing:
well, as the name implies, the software allows to print wirelessly

Not free (like the HP program) but take a look at PrintBoy.

Today screen:
Is there any software that enables to view information as in the Today screen of PPCs?

Spb Pocket Plus (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/pocketplus/?en):
Today plug-in with tabs

Both of these are probably best replaced by ZLauncher. (As a matter of fact, ZL does tabs WAY better than Spb PP IMHO.) The Today plugin for ZL is new and, as the result, you don't have any other plugins (like Pocket Weather) yet. But in its current form, you can see your appointments & tasks, like Pocket Breeze.

Makayama DVD to Pocket PC:
This software squeezes a feature film onto a 128 MB memory card.
Can't help you there. Not a DVD on a PDA fan.

Would you recommend any other PIM application than the one already in the ROM? Any other nice productivity software for the T5???

Thank you

You may want to play with the built in Calendar application & see if it meets your needs. If you are a PI user, you'll probably love Datebk5. (Again, much better than PI IMHO.) The other big PIM replacement is Agendus. Both have trials so you can check them out & figure out which works best for you.

Good luck!

[constantine_j_k]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your feedback :-)

[The Palmster]

My fav. information management application - Splash Wallet
My fav. thesaurus application - Wordsleuth
My fav. calculator application - PowerOne Finance (or whatever meets your needs - See the options on the PowerOne website)
My fav. backup program - CardBackup by JKware.com
My fav. productivity software - DocsToGo
My fav. launcher - LauncherX
My fav. data input assistant (for lack of a better description) WordComplete
My fav. games - Tetris and Scrabble
My fav. reader - E-Reader Pro
My fav. non-native PIM software - Contacts5
My fav. auto-password program - MobiPassword

And finally, no list of software is complete without mentioning "Slap".

Hope this list helps you convert over from the "dark side".

By the way, why are you converting to Palm OS? Not that I disagree with your decision, just curious.

[GadgetGuru]

DVD on Palm - Pocket DVD Studios (I had not personally tested nor tried it though)
http://www.pqdvd.com/watch_dvd_on_palm.html
Makayama also has DVD to Palm solutions in the works.

Scientific/Financial calculators are plenty for the Palm platform, I think Megacalc should approximate the functions of Omegaone's.

Today screen _ Agendus also has a built in Today screen, although it's not plug-in friendly like Pocket PCs. Zlauncher's does as Vidge has pointed out...

Datebook replacement: Agendus, Datebk5
Contacts/addressbook: Phonemagic, Contacts Pro, Contacts 5
To Do: To Do Plus
Memopad: Wordsmith, Handstory, MemoPlus
others: Slap (one stop entry for built-in applications)

[constantine_j_k]

Hello Palmster,

thanks for the software list. Well, I am going from pillar to post....I owned three hx4700s and I have to admit that I really loved the hardware (WiFi, magnesium case etc), but I changed three times as all of them had a fault. The first one had a problem with the cradle, the second a dead pixel and the third one a problem with the screen (aligment issues and despite I did align the screen several times, it wasn't fixed...).

I decided to take my money back and now I am looking for a new pda. The last two weeks I am trying to make my mind between the hx4700 and the Tungsten T5. I had a play with a T5 and I really liked the interface. Ok, it doesn't have the hx4700 quality, WiFi, an LED for showing the chargin status etc, but I think I like the OS better. I don't have an in depth experience with the Palm OS, but I am not a fun of Microsoft either.

So now I have made my mind (I hope so...), I am buying the T5!

Do you know any add in for VersaMail for syncronizing hotmail?

Thanks

[constantine_j_k]

Thanks GadgetGuru,
the MegaCalc seems to be exactly what I was after.

Palmster,
does CardBackup work with T5?

[DavidP]

I have recently upgraded to a T5 and have been using Doc to Go for a few years. I have found it a very good tool. I upgraded my Docs to Go to the Total Office version. I haven't yet installed the Beyond Contacts or SmartList packages. I don't see many comments about Beyond Contacts. Many do mention Datebook5 and Contact5. I'm hesitant to install the ones I have until I find the software that will work best for me. Any comments on the Beyond Contacts package, and vs. other options available?

thanks for any input.
david..

[constantine_j_k]

I just had an email from Megasoft2000 and the current version of MegaCalc is not working with T5. The new release will do and it will be available in 1-2 months time...

[GadgetGuru]

How about MathU - $19.95
http://www.creativecreek.com/mathu.html
No currency converter...for that you might want Worldmate - Weather, currency converter, worldclock and more.

C4 - pricey at $39.95 for best one.
http://www.c4calc.com/

Don't forget the free ones.
SC-103PU
http://www.freewarepalm.com/calculator/sc-103pu(successorofsc-103pc).shtml

EasyCalc
http://www.freewarepalm.com/calculator/easycalc.shtml

The newly updated Power48 emulator:
http://www.mobilevoodoo.com/power48.htm

[Vidge]

I have recently upgraded to a T5 and have been using Doc to Go for a few years. I have found it a very good tool. I upgraded my Docs to Go to the Total Office version. I haven't yet installed the Beyond Contacts or SmartList packages. I don't see many comments about Beyond Contacts. Many do mention Datebook5 and Contact5. I'm hesitant to install the ones I have until I find the software that will work best for me. Any comments on the Beyond Contacts package, and vs. other options available?

thanks for any input.
david..

The only problem with Beyond Contacts that I've heard about is that it uses its own database, not the built-in contacts database. It also has its own sync conduit to Outlook and is supposed to be like Outlook on your Palm (with all the additional fields and such). I haven't tried it myself because everything I need is in the built-in contacts application.

[The Palmster]

Palmster,
does CardBackup work with T5?

Beware, my list of software is not necessarily compatible with the T5. Check with Lance's software compatibility list. My list was intended as a useful guide of the software available on Palm OS. Compatibility with the T5 requires a whole other enquiry.

Good luck Constantine_j_k!

[zenlon]

Well done for switching to Palm and welcome.

Definitely have a look at Lance's thread for current and upcoming compatability and updates for T5 etc.; that thread is a "sticky" post here on the 1src forums:
Lance's software list (http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71634)

TODAY screen: I believe the T5's built-in PIM now has a today-type screen. DateBk5 (which I use on my TT) also has "Today"-type functionality that can be modified.

On my TT (aka T1) I use:
"Currency" - simply currency converter (only) with no auto update feature for the rates
Kalk - basic RPN scientific calculator
(Just wondering, if you can use a scientific calculator, why do you need a tip calculator?)

webmail/hotmail - Dunno. Can anyone say whether the T5's new "Blazer" browser would allow one to use hotmail / webmail directly? WebPro doesn't allow one to do this.

Printing - My TT came with something called "PrintMe", but I haven't tried to use it. Anyone else have experience with it?

Other software
As mentioned above, DateBk5 is very powerful and flexible for calendar management.
SuperNames is what I currently use for contacts.
Passwords for password storage and encryption.
Adobe Reader for PDF's. Some use and recommend Repligo.

Many other good apps exist, but I have no need for them myself.

[constantine_j_k]

Hello zenlon,

thanks a lot for your feedback. I finally got my T5 yesterday (!!!), after a lot of trouble finding one, and I have to admit that I didn't have time to play for it. I want so much to finish work and go back home and have a play....:-)

Does anyone know whether the "Blazer" browser would allow one to use hotmail / webmail directly???

It might sound silly, but where can I see details for the battery charge (e.g. percentage of battery remaining)? The icon is ok, but I tried to find the exact %age with no luck.

I tried to synchronize Versamail with Outlook 2003 and I cannot make it work. I followed the instructions in the manual and messages in the inbox don't appear in Versamail. I think that the manual is not really good. Anyway, I will try again today, but if someone can provide me with some detailed instructions, it would be much appreciated. I am a newbie in Palm OS (I know though that I have to press the button for hotsync hehe), but with win mobile I didn't have any problems from the beginning...

Thank you

[Alsicole]

Blazer will access Hotmail, although it's a little temperatmental. If you want another free webmail address which can be accessed through POP3 mail, GMail (from Google) now has this facility. I have a couple of GMail invites left if you want one of those.

If you install ZLauncher you will get a number of display options for your battery including power remaining or percentage remaining. The built in launcher just shows the little battery logo.

[constantine_j_k]

Please, I do! I am trying for so long, but it is still not commercially available.

Thank you!

[constantine_j_k]

Another question,

so there is no indication of the battery charge, which accept, but how do you tell that the battery is fully charged? Whever is plugged, the battery icon shows that is charging (thunder symbol). I left it for several hours and assume that it is fully charged, but the symbol is the same....???? Help!

[constantine_j_k]

I found it! ok, the battery level indication was shorted, I just had to press on the system info button....I told you I am a newbie!

I have another question though. When I use the keyboard for inputting text, many symbols are missing and I cannot find numbers anywhere....any help?

Thank you

[constantine_j_k]

....and another one!

Is HotSync backing up all the software? I installed a couple of software from the cd and now I just updated the ROM (T5 update for calender bug etc). With the update, everything is erased from the PDA, but after I HotSync afterwards, the software appeared...?

Sorry for all these question, but I am a newbie remember! Help me to enjoy my T5!!!

Thank you

[Alsicole]

OK, send me a Personal Message on this board with your e-mail address and I will send you a GMail invite. Hotsync now does a backup of everything, so you can restore from it. Of course, this doesn't help you if you have a bad crash away from your computer, and will not always help if a crash happens during Hotsync, as happened with me the other day. Luckily all that went missing were the registration codes for my software, so I just had to re-input them and everything was fine.

Inputting numbers and symbols: below the onscreen keyboard in the centre is a small 123. Tap this and the numbers and symbols will replace the keyboard. Then tap abc to get the keyboard back.

[constantine_j_k]

I see. I tried to open a word file from my SD card and it had to be copied in the documents folder. Why is that? Does that mean that the file is duplicated?

Thanks

[constantine_j_k]

Alsicole,

I sent you a private message with my email.

Another question, I think that I cannot open directly pdf files that are stored say in my sd card. I found that I have to transfer them through the Adobe program. Is this the only way? If it is, then the Acrobat reader for Palm OS is really bad...! Any other alternative program?

I register the T5 yesterday and I am pretty sure that I saw a message that I will have 20% discount in software from the Palm store. I haven't received an email confirmation though. Do you have any idea what is going on.

Thanks Alsicole for all your help, you are helping me to start enjoying my new T5....hehe

Cheers

[constantine_j_k]

HotSync synchronizes Documents to Go plus a lot of other staff. How do you specify the location of where the files are in the pc?

thanks

[applejosh]

Another question, I think that I cannot open directly pdf files that are stored say in my sd card. I found that I have to transfer them through the Adobe program. Is this the only way? If it is, then the Acrobat reader for Palm OS is really bad...! Any other alternative program?

You're right. The Acrobat reader for PalmOS is really bad. I don't know of a viewer that will open pdf's in their native format. Sony used to put a (slightly cumbersome) program on their devices that allowed you to view the document (but it didn't reflow the text or anything). AFAIK, it only worked on Sony's and wasn't commercially available. With the Palm platform, I generally sync any pdf's through Docs To Go (premium edition). It gets the text only, but it's better than nothing. Not sure if the version that comes with the T5 has that ability.

Sorry.

[constantine_j_k]

I have the impression that Docs to Go, which is included with the T5, is not the premium version. It is suprising how bad acrobat reader is. I used to have an iPAQ hx4700 and I just had to drag and drop the file to the PDA, tap the file and then I could see the doc as it was in the pc....

[Alsicole]

The best alternative to Adobe is Repligo. I have the PPC version on my Ipaq, but it runs just as well on a Palm device. Adobe for Palm OS sucks bigtime in comparison.
You can try Repligo from www.cerience.com.

[constantine_j_k]

When I try to open say a word doc from my sd card, it comes with a message for installing in the RAM. Why is that? Is the file being duplicated? Why I cannot open it directly from the SD card?

[applejosh]

The message I get is that it's opening the file. (I'm using DTG 7.002 on a T3, though.) One thing that might explain it is that Palm's use of external cards is weird. It accesses them through some sort of magical interface called VFS. I know when you run an app off the card, it copies itself to RAM first, because that's where apps get run from. I think the T5 has to copy everything to RAM first (since all apps/data/etc. reside in FlashROM, IIRC, and that acts like a storage card). So that might be the message you're getting. The T5 has a different structure than previous Palm devices. I'm a little fuzzy on how it all fits together, so hopefully someone with a T5 or more in-depth knowledge of the T5's architecture will chime in.

[constantine_j_k]

I notice that it copies the file to the RAM. Correct me if I am wrong, but this means that the file is duplicates, as it is then in both the RAM and SD card. Is that correct? That is strange....

[Alsicole]

It copies it to the RAM only whilst you open the file. Once you're done with the file and save it, it goes back to the SD card. I'm pretty sure this is how Palm OS opens all files from card.

[constantine_j_k]

Thanks Alsicole!