Palm Computing

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Palm Computing

• An overview of Palm computing for technology
  support professionals

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The Beginnings of Palm

• Palm handhelds began as organizers, with a suite
  of applications that made people's lives easier.
  Today they offer Internet connectivity, as well
  as a vast array of hardware and software choices.
  They've evolved into a new kind of handheld that
  people use to instantly manage all kinds of
  information, from medical data to stock reports,
  to enterprise-level database information.
• Inspired by Apple Newton Messagepad
• Introduced by US Robotics, purchased by 3Com
• Spun into Palm

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My Palm Reading

• MessagePad 100
• MessagePad 130
• Palm II
• Palm III

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Palm Features

• Handheld computing
• Desktop organizer software suite
• Long battery life
• Simple desktop synchronization
• Shorthand-like text entry
• Memory slot

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Basic Palm Lack of Features

• Small standard screen
• Text entry via Graffiti
• Limited sound
• Limited hardware expandability

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Palm Hardware

• Touch screen
• Built-in pen holder
• Serial communications connector
• Flip cover
• Infra-red communications
• Synch cradle

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Palm Controls

• Power
• Backlight
• Contrast adjust
• Scroll up/down
• Programmable Apps
• Reset switch (recessed)
• Screen buttons

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Palm Basics All Palms include

• Date Book - Up to 5 years of appointments.
• Address Book - Thousands of addresses.
• To Do List - Keep thousand of to-do items.
• Note-taking - Jot notes, compose e-mail, more.
• E-Mail storage - Download e-mail from your PC.
• Find application - Find names, dates, and places.
  
  
• Palm Desktop software - Use Palm apps on PC.
• HotSync - Quickly synchronize info with PC.
• Five ways to enter data - Enter quickly, easily.

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Palm OS

• Several versions (now 3.5.2)
• Generally new OS versions will not run on older
  hardware
  
• Updates generally not required for basic
  software
  
• Apps may not run on old/new OS
• Different application execution model
• No need to load to RAM for run
• Active app (others hold state)

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Palm Software Overview

• Date Book Outlook Calendar
• Address Book Outlook Contacts
• To Do List Outlook Tasks
• Memo Outlook Notes
• Mail Outlook Mail
• Apps very similar, but generally more limited

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Palm Desktop Software

• Once Windows only now includes Mac
• Free!
• Same basic capabilities as Palm
• Integrated synch

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Palm Synchronization

• Designed to be quick and easy
• Database record synchronization
• Changes made on Palm sent to desktop app
• Changes made in desktop app sent to Palm
• Based on record comparisons, not transaction
  records
  
• Rules for contention
• Supports synchs to multiple desktops

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More Palm Synchronization

• Includes software install services
• Based on concept of software conduit
• Cradle serial or USB connections
• Dial-up synch (modem) also supported

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Hot Synch Manager

• Software which provides basic synch services
• Conduits talk to Synch Manager
• Serial
• On Always/On with Desktop/Manual

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Palm Outlook Synchronization

• Third-party conduit provided with most Palm
  devices
  
• PocketMirror Chapura Software
• Not installed by default (naturally) Windows
  only
  
• Mail not very full-featured
• Very limited filtering
• Synch model not as useful here
• Deleting on Palm to save space deletes message in
  Inbox
  
• Limited filing structure

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Solving the Colgate Directory Problem

• The goal put Colgate directory into Palm
  Address Book
  
• The solution put it into Outlook and let synch
  do the rest
  
• Create import file for Outlook Address Book via
  Query/Excel
  
• Import into Address Book
• Hot Synch

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Palm Security Features

• Power-on password
• Once per day
• Every time
• None
• Private records
• Records identified
• Feature can be turned Off

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Other Palm Software

• Web browsers (limited)
• Games
• ListMaker
• Database apps of various sorts
• Shopping lists, car maintenance, maps
• Utilities
• Compilers (Cross compilers)

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One Palm Users Rave Review

• Or, Why the cheap Dan Wheeler bought his second
  Palm as soon as his first died!
  
• Single point of reference for basic
  organizational info all info no data transfer
  from hard copy
  
• Mobile and accessible platform it goes almost
  anywhere
  
• Long battery life with alkalines
• Able to add general data files via memos, other
• Great for focused applications

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Miscellaneous Support Notes

• Reset button can be used non-destructively
• Not all apps synch via a conduit
• Synch will backup entire data file but not
  synchronize differences between handheld and
  desktop version
  

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A Few Palm References

• The Official Palm site http//www.palm.com/
• PocketMirror http//www.chapura.com/
• Software look for handhelds at
  http//download.cnet.com/
  
• More software http//www.zdnet.com/downloads/pil
  otsoftware/
  
• Unofficial FAQ http//www.palmgear.com/faq/

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Palm Family

• palm-family-comparison-table.html

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Palm Directions

• Wireless
• Color displays
• Add-ons
• Keyboards, pagers, camera?, modems, GPS

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Palm Alternatives

• WinCE
• PSION
• Palm OS Handhelds
• Handspring
• IBM

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Questions?

• ???

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Graphics