Jim's Mobile Experience

Jim's Experience with Mobile Devices

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First Palm OS® Device - Palm III

For Christmas, 1998, I purchased my first Palm OS® PDA, a Palm III. In addition to being able to replace the manual paper planner, I was intrigued with the idea of a small PDA that could possibly replace a laptop for a large number of applications and have been working toward that goal ever since. I immediately started testing third party applications, particularly spreadsheet, databases, and connectivity software. The Palm III was a nice PDA, but it was limited by a monochrome screen, 2MB memory, and a 16MHz processor. Still, I was impressed with its ability to calculate spreadsheets, perform database queries, and, after the Palm Modem was introduced, communicate with the Internet.

Many More Devices - Spreadsheet, Database, and Laptop Replacement

Since the Palm III, I have purchased over a dozen Palm OS® devices, and have constantly pursued my original goal of a PDA replacing a laptop for many business and personal applications. I believe we are there now. During the 2004 MacWorld Conference in Boston, I utilized a PDA only (Sony Clie UX50), no laptop. The clamshell format Clie UX50 (Palm OS PDA, not to be confused with the Vaio UX50 which did not exist at the time) had a nice size built-in keyboard. I was very pleased with the experience, which included: taking session notes, checking email, some web surfing, using spreadsheets, using database queries, blog postings, and watching the previous night's Conan O'Brien show (Sony memory stick based video recorder, unfortunately no longer available). I would not want to use a PDA for prolonged surfing or processor intensive spreadsheet calculations or database queries, but for typical business and personal use, a higher end PDA can fulfill most business needs nicely. I have not taken a laptop to a conference / training event since my positive 2004 experience using the PDA as a laptop replacement. Most Palm OS® and Windows Mobile™ spreadsheet and database applications sync to a record level with Excel and Access, as well as other high end server based databases. In addition, your newer PDA "office suites" can read and write native MS Word and Excel files. I would rather carry around a PDA and folding keyboard that together weigh less than a pound than a 4+ pound laptop. Also, when is the last time your laptop fit in your pocket or hung from your waist from a belt clip?

I also used a PDA exclusively on my holiday trip to NYC the same year. It worked fine with the hotel free broadband and I carried it around with me to check email, theater/movie times etc. via a bluetooth enabled phone. Although that would be possible with a laptop, I would not carry around a 4 or 5 pound device with me through the subways/streets of NYC. It would just get too heavy after awhile. UMPC's did not exist at the time.

HanDBase - My Favorite Database Application

My favorite moderately priced database application is HanDBase, a relational database that is available and file compatible for Palm OS®, Windows Mobile™, Android, and iOS. No Windows Phone 7 client yet, and unfortunately HanDBase website forum indicates a WP7 app may never be available. Available companion reporter and forms applications make for a nice overall relational database package. I use HanDBase daily on Android, and frequently on iOS devices (don't use Palm, or Windows Mobile™ much now) and they sync nicely between the devices. There are a variety of ODBC drivers available for syncing with other databases with a desktop client. I have tried the Filemaker sync and it worked fine.

Windows Mobile™ Experience

What about Windows Mobile™? When Windows Mobile™ (Pocket PC) devices were introduced, I basically ignored them, although the "techno-gadget geek" in me wanted to try one of these new, but expensive devices. In the Summer of 2002, I purchased my first Windows Mobile™, an Audiovox Maestro. I was hooked. I have since been a big fan of the Windows Mobile™ platform and have purchased additional devices. My latest are the HP210, Samsung Mondi, Dell Axim X51v, and the HTC Touch Pro Windows Mobile 6 Smartphone.

ActiveSync, and File Storage on NAS Device

I have used the hotsync and activesync conduits to install new software, however, most of my applications are now available in convenient direct download to device CAB files. Most data, and CAB files are stored on various Networked Attached Storage (NAS) devices on my home network. I do use a public Exchange Server to sync all contacts, and calendar items to / from the WM devices, Android, and iOS devices. All my daily use PDA's have built in Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth. With the data, and CAB files resident on the NAS, I can upload/download updated versions of the data files, or CAB's even when the PC's and Mac's are not on (workarounds are needed for iOS due to restricted file access). The NAS is always on and has its own IP address. Since I use HanDBase as my preferred database, the files are easily exchanged between the platforms. Other file types are native Word, Excel or PowerPoint and can be read natively by both platforms. Syncing all my Palm OS® and Windows Mobile™ devices would be a nightmare using the normal hotsync and activesync routines.

Mobile Devices At Work

My employer did not supply laptops to our department. This lack of company supplied laptops, combined with my long-term goal of a PDA replacing a laptop, resulted in my frequently using Palm OS® and Windows Mobile™ PDA's (iOS, and Android did not exist at the time) for:

Displaying Powerpoint presentations on InFocus projector.
Reviewing employee training transcripts and future training schedules downloaded from Pathlore database via Crystal Reports.
Reviewing training contract deliverables statuses that were downloaded from a FoxPro database I had developed.
Reading/editing Word and Excel files in native format.
Taking personal notes and official minutes at department meetings.
Checking email.
Accessing web for research.

Available Consulting Services

What type of consulting services do you offer, and do you code custom applications? Although I have coded frequently in the past, I do not anticipate (although I am not totally ruling it out) the need to develop custom applications from scratch. There will always be the need to customize reports, forms, queries, connectivity settings, overall "look and feel", etc.; however, the abundant third party applications available for Palm OS®, Windows Mobile™, Android, and Apple iPhone / iPod (iOS) touch platforms are a good, solid base on which to build customized implementations. Since the UMPC runs the full version of Windows, the same applications you use on the desktop should work on the UMPC as long as you have proper licensing, and the UMPC meets the minimum system requirements to run the applications.

My Consulting Services Include:

Deciding the best way to implement a PDA, Smartphone, and/or UMPC based solution to your business problem.
Configuring the overall devices and third party applications for maximum performance.
Customizing forms, reports, screen displays, overall "look and feel", etc. for your business' unique needs utilizing existing third party applications.
Configuring the devices to sync and exchange information with your desktop machines or server.
Assistance in setting up your network to accept communications to/from the devices.
Training your employees on the new devices/applications and connectivity solutions (I have over 20 years experience in the training field and a Master of Education degree in Instructional Design).

Please give me a call, or send an email to discuss if my services and your business problems are a good match.

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