Palm OS PalmPilot Software In Use
Palm OS PalmPilot Software In Use
This lists the Palm OS PalmPilot software I use by application title.
| Product | Version | Last Visit | Cost | OS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bejeweled | Palm |  | |||
| Nice, simple game. Great for whiling away some time at the airport. Available from a number of sources under other operating systems by different names. | |||||
| Datebook5 | 5.1a | Palm | | ||
| Fabulous Datebook and To-Do replacement an absolute "must-have" even though it is not free! | |||||
| Documents to Go | 6.005 Premium Edition | 01/Jan/04 | Palm & Windows | | |
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Allows the viewing and editing of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents. Unlike similar apps, does not loose any additional formatting and capabilities of a document on the desktop after editing on the Palm. Can now also maintain full native format files (these are larger and slower to use on the Palm but great for backups that can also be edited). Also supports Adobe Acrobat (minus graphics) and will convert images (bmp, gif and jpg) to palm format. Also has a simple email client that will synchronise with Microsoft and Lotus email clients and supports attachements of the types listed above. I also use it to keep backup versions of important documents. Remember though that private documents are wide open if you misplace the Palm, especially on external cards. Don't be fooled by some of the competing products which claim compatability with MS Office. They often loose formatting after being edited on the Palm/PocketPC. | |||||
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| Gridlock | 1.26 Free | 23/Aug/03 | Free | Palm | |
| Great and simple method of locking and unlocking the Palm using an on-screen pattern rather than a password. Data in memory is protected as the only way to get past the protection is by a hard-reset to get past so clearing all internal data not on ROM or memory card. WARNING: Does not protect data on memory cards or in ROM. | |||||
| iSilo | Palm and Windows | | |||
| No longer in regular use, replaced by Plucker. Used to view websites offline. Can convert images too. Use the free iSiloX desktop to convert documents. | |||||
| PalmReader | 2.5.3 | 16/Jun/04 | Free (an enhanced version is also available) | Palm, Windows, Mac, PocketPC | |
Supported on Palm, Pocket PC, Mac and Windows it has a good range of books available and seems a lot faster than its main rival MobiPocket. The other rival is Adobe Acrobat which is a more widely supported format and whose security can be broken so you can back up the books that you have paid for - however, perhaps for that reason, there are not so many books available. I've found that I am quite happy with reading books on the Palm and it means that I no longer need to upset my wife with yet more books to store somewhere!< Cleverly, PalmReader uses the number of the credit card you used to buy the book as the code to open it (you can change it later online and re-download if you want to). This means that you can read it on ANY number of devices and even lend it out - assuming you trust the person!Note: It is not supported directly under Linux but can supposedly be run using WINE. This again highlights the limitations of eBooks. | |||||
| MobiPocket, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Reader. MS Reader is MS ONLY and therefore VERY HIGH RISK as a platform for the longest term. Acrobat is probably the best bet for very long term but is poorly supported, possibly because of its security limitations (it is possible to bypass the security). MobiPocket has the widest platform support (PalmOS, Windows CE, PocketPC, SymbianOs, Franklin eBookMan and Windows as at Jun/2004). However there is no free version. It does allow annotation and allows customisation (fonts, etc.) but you can only read your books on up to three devices!! You have to change the "pid" online so you are totally reliant on the web site where you purchased the book for future use. OK, I had a response from an anonymous source about MobiPocket. Here is the email and my responses (in red): In the following page (http://www.knightnet.org.uk/IT/software/free-software.htm), you say that Mobipocket Reader does not exists as free version. I invite your webmaster to go and read carefully the pages listed below, and update your website. http://www.mobipocket.com/en/DownloadSoft/DownLoadReaderStep1.asp http://www.mobipocket.com/en/Support/KBase_article.asp?ArticleID=331 http://www.mobipocket.com/en/Support/KBase_article.asp?ArticleID=26 [JK] Thanks for the info, it is a shame that this information is so well hidden! Moreover, there are more eBooks in Mobipocket format than in Peanut format.[JK] As I acknowledge. Publishers now publish and sell nearly only in Mobipocket format.[JK] Nonsense! There are many thousands of books being published in eReader format. Last but not least, the Palm encryption does not work with the widely used "e-credit-cart" system, where you ask your bank to give you a temporary credit card number for one purchase (because you do not trust the payment system). [JK] Actually it does as the downloaded eBook simply requires the credit card number, it's only a number nothing more. [JK] Your comments still do not get round the fact that you are TOTALLY dependent on the originating web site continuing to operate should you ever change devices more than twice -- this is appalling! I have books that I still re-read after 30-odd years and may well pass to my children, will the originating web site for an eBook still be operating the same system in 30 or 100 years time? I think not. At least with eReader books, I can note the number and pass it on. [JK] Of course, the software probably wont exist in 30-100 years anyway and this is why I will only EVER by low cost books this way, I'll never pay full price for a book in electronic format until I can be sure that it will still be available to me in 30 years time. [JK] Many thanks for your comments though, Jules. | |||||
| Plucker | 1.6.1 | 01/Dec/03 | Free | Palm, Windows, Linux(?) | |
| Used to view websites offline. This has now replaced iSilo since the JPluckX desktop tool has been released. This is far easier to use than the old Plucker desktop (which required Python to be installed - or was it Perl?). It can also convert RSS news feeds. It also includes a Palm tool which captures links saved from within Plucker and converts them on the next hotsync. | |||||
| Secret! | Palm and Windows | | |||
| Encrypted notepad for storing information safely. There is a desktop version too (at extra cost). Much better than most such applications as it requires no structured input, just stores information in memo type pages so you can keep whatever you want. Rather costly for what it is. | |||||
| ShadowPlan | 3.0 | $22.99 (Palm/desktop) | Windows & Linux & Palm | | |
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Used to maintain all sorts of lists from Books and videos through shopping lists to To-Do lists for managing projects. Main application for this is on the Palm, the two applications automatically synchronise. Can link tasks with the Palm To-Do app. On the desktop, the data is stored in XML format so it should be possible to write tools to swap and manipulate it (e.g. integration with FreeMind). Has a very responsive developer and support discussion group. | |||||
| Bonsai, ThoughtManager, LifeBalance, BrainForest. Bonsai is probably the closest, it is more expensive (to maintain as well as to buy), has a better desktop (as of June/2004) but is nowhere near as feature rich on the handheld. | |||||
| SwitchDash | Free | Palm | | ||
| Forces low-res apps into hi-res. | |||||
| WordSmith | Palm | | |||
| Enhanced text processing. Has simple text markup. Used as a memo replacement. | |||||
| X-Master | Free | Palm | | ||
| More stable alternative to Hackmaster. Used to run hacks | |||||
| Hackmaster (the original but far from the best, not updated in a very long time) | |||||
| ZLauncher | 4.202 | 26/Jun/04 | $13 | Palm | |
| One of the cheaper but better launcher replacements. Has a built in file manager which saves the cost of buying one. | |||||
I also have a list of software that I do not use (because I personally find it not worth the money or effort).
