Palm Handheld1 - In Action
By Terry Sandusky
Dear Editor,
I am using a Palm III Handheld to do general work through Outlook and
Word. I am also using Desktop-to-Go to synch with Outlook and Documents-to-Go to synch
with Word and other programs. As part of the Documents-to-Go, there a second program
called Attachments-to-Go which allows the downloading of e-mail attachments, which you may
read on the Palm. The attachments are kept under a separate menu item on the Palm and not
immediately with the actual e-mails to which they are attached.
Additionally, I use a program called Jot that allows me to use a more
natural graffiti alphabet that is closer to normal handwriting. My latest addition is a
Palm folding keyboard, which has dramatically changed my note taking at meetings. This is
an excellent tool and is simple to use. It makes taking a notebook computer to a meeting
obsolete.
I did originally use Palm with Lotus Organizer, which worked fine, but
when the department went to Microsoft Office I made the switch. With Outlook all the
alarms were accidentally turned on, so for the last two days while my commissioner was
visiting, the Palm's alarms kept sounding at ten and five minutes before our next
appointment. We seemed to be on time for most of our events with this gentle reminder.
To make things go smoothly, I have a synchronizing cradle on my office
computer, my secretary's computer in Presque Isle, my secretary's computer in Bangor, and
my home computer, and a synchronizing cable on my notebook. All are kept up to date as I
walk by or am working on various projects.
I can't call any of this innovative, but I do have considerable
experience. By the way, I have dropped the Palm III Handheld from waist height on to the
concrete and tile floor at the Aroostook Centre Mall four times, and it keeps on ticking,
computing and reminding. Try that with your Gateway, Dell, Compac, or H-P notebook (don't
it isn't a good idea even once).
Finally, I recommend that if you are interested in purchasing a Palm
Handheld (originally called Palm Pilots, and then Organizers), then select whichever model
you would like and can afford, keeping in mind that "x" models with the larger
memory are ultimately your best choices. Spend your money on color if you absolutely have
to have color, but also accept some reduced capacity and function. Remember there are more
than 15,000 registered Palm programmers developing uses for these little jewels. The
future is bright whether with a Palm Handheld, or a Handspring Visor (developed by the
originator of the Palm).
Terry Sandusky is the Facility Director of the Aroostook Residential
Center, and Aroostook Area Manager for DMHMRSAS Region 3 in Presque Isle. He has been in
this position for 23+ years and with the department for 25 years. For 20 years he managed
services for people with mental retardation and for the last five he has had added duties
in mental health and children services within the region. The Palm Organizer was a gift
from Terry’s son, and "a very good son he is" Terry notes. By e-mail reach
him at terry.sandusky@state.me.us, or by
telephone 764-2010, or even by snail mail at DMHMRSAS Region 3, P.O. Box 1285, Presque
Isle, 04769.
1. In the September issue, I invited users of hand held
computer devices in State government to relay their experiences, including innovative
uses. ~ Mary N. Cloutier, Editor |
